Iperu Remo

Iperu Remo
Iperu Omo Akesan Bale Oja
LGA and town
Iperu Remo

Location in Nigeria

Coordinates: 6°46′N 3°35′E / 6.767°N 3.583°E / 6.767; 3.583Coordinates: 6°46′N 3°35′E / 6.767°N 3.583°E / 6.767; 3.583
Country  Nigeria
State Ogun State
Area
  Total 490 km2 (190 sq mi)
Population (2006 census)
  Total 78,412
Time zone WAT (UTC+1)
3-digit postal code prefix 121
ISO 3166 code NG.OG.IP

at12°16′N 6°33′E / 12.267°N 6.550°E / 12.267; 6.550

Iperu or Iperu Bale Oja is a town near the Ibu River in the Ogun State in southwestern Nigeria. It is the most populous town in Remo Region of the Ikenne Local Government Area. The entire LGA has an area of 137.13 km² and a population of 178,412 at the 2006 census.

Description

Iperu is the part of the Yoruba cultural region of southwestern Nigeria. The city was founded in the mid-19th century when several small towns united for purposes of defense during the wars brought about by the fall of the Oyo Empire. Iperu controlled the trade routes between the ports in the Niger Delta and the Yoruba mainland until the British occupied the area at the end of the 19th century. Iperu has experienced both population and economic growth since the 1950s just like Sagamu due to its position between the cities of Ibadan and Lagos. Iperu is the most centrally placed town in Remo division. Iperu is on a table land, hence, it has erosion problem. The Sagamu - Ibadan road which is a Federal road passed through Iperu. Iperu is about five Kilometres to Sagamu, which has a common boundary with it from the south. It is about three kilometres to Ogere which is a western boundary. It is about four kilometres to Ode Remo which is a northern boundary. Iperu land is already in close touch with Ode Remo township. It is about four kilometres to Ilisan, its eastern boundary. You cannot move a kilometre distance without reaching a human habitation among all the Iperu boundary mates. Iperu and its surrounding towns will come together as a unit town within a few years looking at the rate of extension and expansion of all the towns.[1] The population in 1990 was 195,800 but has now declined due migration of the natives to big cities, the 2010 estimates place it as low as 178,412. [2]

Sagamu the new seat of the Akarigbo of Remo ("King" or "Lord" of Remo), the traditional ruler of the Remo Kingdom is a neighboring town to Iperu. The EYO festival, that is now popular in Lagos, Lagos State originated from Iperu. There are several assertions as to the founding of Iperu. All the assertions have their merits and demerits. From the various assertions one can determine the one which is near accurate. However the common thread among the various assertions is the name of the founder: Princess Akesan. The founder of Iperu was a Princess named Akesan who migrated from Ile Ife with her husband Ajagbe. Both the founder and her husband migrated out of Oyo Alafin (Ile Ife to settle in Iperu.

Economy

The town of Iperu in Remo region is underlain by major deposits of limestone, which is used in the area's major industry, the production of cement. Agricultural products of the region include cocoa and kola nuts. Iperu is one of the largest kola nut collecting centers in the country. The kola nut industry supports several secondary industries such as basket and rope manufacturing, which are used to store the kola nuts.

References

  1. "Remo Heritage and Culture".
  2. "The World Gazetteer". Archived from the original on 2013-02-09. Retrieved 2010-06-08.

See also

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