Ikare

Ikare is a town in Ondo State, Nigeria.

Ikare-Akoko (Ikare for short), city in southwestern Nigeria, located in Ondo state. Ikare is about 100 km from Akure, the Ondo State capital. The city was the divisional headquarters of the old Akoko Division, comprising Oka-Akoko, Isua-Akoko, Okeagbe-Akoko etc. Based on the Local Government System now practised in Nigeria, the city is currently the headquarters of Akoko North-East Local Government. The city is a trading point for the production of cocoa in the surrounding area. The traditional ruler of Ikare is the Olukare of Ikare-Akoko and the Owa-Ale of Ikare-Akoko with several other chiefs administering the various Quarters. The Quarters in Ikare include Okela, Okorun, Eshe,Odo,Ilepa,Okoja, Iku, Odeyare, Odoruwa, Okeruwa, Okegbe, Iyame, Igbede, Oyinmo,Ishakunmi,Ekan etc.

Ikare-Akoko is famous throughout West Africa for its decorative pottery. The city is located in the Yoruba cultural region and has a substantial Christian, Jehovah Witness and Muslim population with several Churches, worshipping halls and mosques. The architectural style of the city incorporates both Portuguese and Arabic styles. The Portuguese style was introduced in the 16th century when Portugal began to export slaves from the region. Arabic influences were incorporated in the 19th century with the diffusion of Islamic culture southward across the Sahara. Population as of 1995 was 137,300.

Education

Ikare is home to several educational institutions in Ondo State. Notable among which are; Federal Technical College, Ikare, Victory College Ikare, Citadel International College, Ikare,Comprehensive high School,Ikare and so many government and private-owned Primary and Secondary Schools.

Markets

Ikare is a chief commercial city in Ondo state with several markets which include; Oja-Oba Market, Okore Market, Osele Market, Jubilee Market, and several other markets in adjoining villages such Dauda.

Inter Ethnic Relationships

Ikare is a covergent place in Ondo State for many ethnic groups in Nigeria namely Igbo,Hausa, Fulani, Ijaw,and so on. The friendly disposition of its natives to visitors and holiday makers, from time immemorial, is perhaps responsible for the growing number of settlers in the city.

Festival

Ikare has a rich cultural heritage with exciting festivals every year. The popular new yam festival is the chief festival in Ikare which is celebrated every June 20. On this day, Ikare sons and daughters both home and abroad come together to celebrate what is usually termed the start of another new year for Ikare land. The festival also features masquerade parade, such as Oke, Seeru, GainGain among others. There is also the Aringiya Festival (Maiden Festival)where virgin will paint themselves with Osun(Camwood) and they will be in their nature attires. Islamic festivals such as Eid-Maulud, Eid Fitr, Eid Kabir as well as Christian festivals such as Christmas, Easter and also the New Year Festival every January 1 are celebrated with funfair in Ikare. All these point to the fact that Ikare is a secular city.