Iragbiji

Iragbiji (also Ira-gba-iji) is a town and capital of Boripe Local Government Area, Osun State, Nigeria, sharing borders with many towns especially Ikirun and is inhabited by the Yoruba people.[1] The population of Iragbiji people is about 164,172.[2]

Location

Iragbiji is alocated at "an elevation of 429 meters above sea level. Its coordinates are 7°54'0" N and . 4°40'60" E in Degrees Minutes Seconds (DMS). It uses Africa/Lagos UTC/GMT+1 as the standard time zone".[3] It is located in the rain forest part of South West Nigeria. It is bounded on the North by Iree and Obaagun; on the South by Osogbo and Ilase; on the West by Ikirun and on the East by Aagba, Ada, Ororuwo and Ibokun. It is about ten minutes drive from Osogbo, the capital of Osun State and it is one of the few nodal towns where workers in the State capital live and commute daily to and from their places of work, at the state capital.[4] It is the birthplace of artist Yinka Adeyemi,[5] Adegboyega Oyetola[6] the Incumbent Governor of Osun state[7][8][9] and the world-renowned artist and traditionalist, Chief Muraina Oyelami hails from here.[10][11]

History and Oral Tradition

According to local history the name Iragbiji came into being over 600 years ago, it was reported that first settlers had their habitation under an IRA tree (Bradilier Thongy).[12] The town was founded by a great hunter from Ejio compund in Moore, Ile Ife called Sunkungbade (Obebe). The man Sunkungbade got his name from a seeming drama he created while he was still a child. He was said to be in the habit of crying ceaselessly and not even the sweetness from his mother's breasts could stop the little boy[13]. As it was the practice in those days, ifa oracle had to be consulted to unravel the mystery behind the boy's attitude.  It was ifa that advised the parents to make a miniature crown for the little Sunkungbade and that anymore he was crying, the crown should be put on his head to calm him down.[14] The oracle's advice worked like magic and, that was how Sunkungbade (he who cried to get a crown) was added to his names; the Ifa priest called Oladunjoye foretold that Sunkungbade would at adulthood request that he be allowed to leave to found his own community and that should not be disallowed. Soon after the child got matured, he started exhibiting all the traits earlier foretold. He was courageous, Intelligent, strong-willed and exceptional in tradition and culture. He was a great hunter who was said to have had mystic powers, he married Oloyade. Soon after, he approached his parents without any fear and requested that he should be allowed to leave to found his own settlement. As earlier forewarned, the parents gave their blessing. The journey of Sunkungbade was not a straight one from Ile Ife to Iragbiji but one which took him round Ijeshaland before he got to his real destination[15]. From Ibala area in Ilesha to Otan- Ile and from Otan- Ile, he moved to Eesun and to Ibokun where he got his second wife Yewa, now headquarter of Obokun local government area in Osun state[16].

It was reported that him and his family first settled at Ipo-Mosun, that is at the foot of Aagba Osun hills (Double hills) together with his wives. They had to move out of Ipo- Mosun due to incessant flooding particularly during summer[17]. They moved downwards to a drier and safer place under an Iroko tree. That historic place is now known as, Ile-iroko ( Iroko's compound) in Iragbiji today. When the group found the place convenient, they built the very first mud house in the town and that is why the descendants of Sunkungbade are addressed today as ( omo ologiri akoko), that is, the children of the builder of the first mud house.  After setting down for sometime under the Iroko tree, they noticed some smoke coming from some metres South of where they were. Out of curiosity, he sent some of his family members to go and see what was happening[18].

That was how the Ife group discovered another group led by one Kasao who claimed to be an Ola (near Ejigbo, Osun state) prince.  Following a successful interaction between the two teams, a decision was reached that they should come together to form one larger group to be led by Sunkungbade. They chose under the Ira tree which was between the former settlements of the two groups. Their agreement to settle under the Ira tree was obviously predicted on the natural reason that the tree was big and shady (gba iji) enough to accommodate members of the two groups. Iragbiji, the name later adopted for the town was derived from the size of the ira tree which was said to be shady enough to save them from the sun and other natural disasters[19]. The coming together of the two groups, under the leadership of Sunkungbade was therefore the beginning of the settlement which has blossomed into a city of a sort. Another group came later after the settlement had been fully established. In fact, the group known in history as Lagbua group when the town had been fully organised[20]. 

Sukungbade realised that he was of advanced age, he appointed his son Oogbo to be the first head (Oba) of the community. Kasao who was itinerary hunter and who had declined settling down with the sunkungbade's conceded leadership to the Sunkungbades. Other migrants who heard or saw the growing settlements also joined. Hence others such as the Iresas, Ikoyis, Okin Olofas, Edes, Oyos, the Lagbua Ibiwonu Oso etc also settled. Periods of the migrants varied and the number differed as the intention of the settlers also differed. The community was growing after the demise of Oogbo, Aroodoye became the next Oba. It was at the twilight of his reign that he sent for his brother Ajibode who was then holding the post of Head of Hunters (Oluode) in addition to being a prince. As a matter of fact, the Lagbua group came during the reign of Oba Arodoye, a very versatile, sociable, powerful and culturally and traditionally versed leader, who succeeded Oogbo.[21].

Ajibode was met after killing a Python at Iresaadu near Ogbomoso. One of the community members sent to call Ajibode was Lagbua the son of Ibiwonu Oso, who was also a hunter and immigrant who arrived while Oba Arowodoye was on the throne. Eventually, Ajibode was installed as the third Aragbiji of Iragbiji. In appreciation of Lagbua's good service, Ajibode ceded the post of Oluode of Iragbiji to Lagbua and his successors and decreed that nobody of the Royal blood would be given the post again. Since then, it has been descendants of Lagbua that have been successive Oluodes up till date. projectors of Oluode's up till date[22].

Traditional institutions

The Sukungbade's descendants broken down into four ruling houses:

1. Ajibode
2. Ogunmolu
3. Osungbemi
4. Arowodoye/Arodoye

They have been Aragbijis in unbroken succession since the founding of Iragbiji. The present Aragbiji, Oba Rasheed Ayotunde Olabomi, Odundun IV is the fourth on the Ajibode Ruling House Lineage[23].

List of Aragbijis in Order of Succession

The list of Obas who have reigned in Iragbiji who are all descendants of Sunkungbade (Obebe) who migrated to found the town from Ejio compound Moore Quarters, Ile-Ife, and some of the projects/programmes associated with their regimes are as follows:

Sunkungbade: Primary settler and founder of Iragbiji. He arrived and settled at the area and discovered a young hunter at the Ira Tree site named Kasao. He was not an Oba because he was of age before arrival at Iragbiji. His eldest son however became an Oba. Although he met Kasao at the base of the Ira tree, the leadership was conceded to Sunkungbade and his descendants who initially refused to settle as he returned to Ola to contest for Olola stool on two different occasions and failed in the bid. He later settled and died after other Migrants had populated the fast growing community[24].

1.               Ohogbo:- (N. A) The first Oba and first child of Sunkungbade. He became an Oba at the instance of his father and even ensured the establishment of the administrative structure.

2.               Arowodoye:- (N. A) He consolidated the administrative structure put in place by Sunkungbade and Oba Ohogbo. He received many group of immigrants including the Ibiwonu/Lagbua group. The young town expanded tremendously. He fought and won the Arimoro war and was said to have had a long reign. He established the PalaceChiefs and designed insignia of office for each of them.

3.               Ajibode:- (1621 – 1691) His reign witnessed tremendous growth and development. There was peace and progress in the town. He conferred the title of Oluode which he held since the reign of Oba Ohogbo on his omo ode (apprentice hunter) Lagbua in appreciation of Lagbua’s effort to look for him at Ogbomosho forest, Iresaadu, which made him ascend the throne of his forefathers. His descendants constituted the Ajibode Ruling House. He sent for Ajibulu and his siblings who had earlier migrated to Efon Alaaye. The descendants of Ajibulu constitute the present Oshungbemi Ruling house.

4.               Atigba:- (1692 – 1719) He made a lot of progress on the expansion/consolidation of the town. He was the son of Iyewa the second wife of Sunkungbade. There was no war during his period and the town witnessed expansion.

5.               Oyediji:- (1721 – 1776) He fought the Ajakaye war and won. Many migrants were received in Iragbiji during his reign. There were some crisis during the period but the internal settlement structure of the community was deployed and the town was at peace.

6.               Osungbemi:- (1778 – 1820) He reigned during the FULANI and GBERI WARS. He raised troops, fought and won. The strength of the town was so invincible that it successfully warded off the Fulanis. Iragbiji became home for people from Inisa, Igbaye, Okuku, Oyan etc. He also fought the Ijesa-Arara war and won.

7.               Familopa:- (1821 – 1840) He continued with the legacies left behind by Oba Osungbemi, fought and won the GBERI war. The name of Iragbiji was elevated during his reign because of his unrivalled leadership qualities. He fought and consolidated the territories of Iragbiji and the Iragbiji/Osogbo land tussle started during his reign.

8.               Osalana:- (1841 – 1860) He fought the land dispute with Osogbo and won. He ensured peace, progress and consolidation of Iragbiji. He was fearless and a good leader. He was however assassinated and the descendants of the assassins were caused.

9.               Ogunmolu:- (1861 – 1880) He consolidated on the developments witnessed in the town. His reign witnessed some face off which was later settled. He was forced to proceed and settle and was buried at Isanpa after he died in exile.

10.           Akinlotan:- (1881 – 1906) He fought the Ori Oke/Kiriji war as well as the Osogbo boundary dispute/war. His reign was peaceful and witnessed tremendous development. He was a descendant of Ajibode. He secured Iragbiji land fromOsogbo and it was during his reign that the colonialists settled the Iragbiji/Osogbo boundary as Omu in 1905.

11.           Oloyede Dada:- (1908 – 1940) He consolidated on the Osogbo/Iragbiji. He also contributed immensely to the growth and development of the town. The Iragbiji/Ororuwo boundary dispute started in 1933 in the middle of his reign.

12.           Oyediran Aberefa:- (1940 – 1941) His reign was the shortest in the history of Iragbiji as he transited within 60 days of his installation. There was peace and progress within the short period. His direct son was installed by kingmakers and Ruling Houses to compensate the Arowodoye Ruling House.

13.           Joseph Oyedokun:- (1941 – 1967) A direct son of Oba Abereefa installed during the World War II. He consolidated on the Iragbiji/Osogbo (Oba Adenle) land settlement and stopped the incursion of Osogbo. He opened up intra and inter-township roads, changed roof of buildings to Iron sheets; ensured the opening up of Iragbiji/Igbajo and township road; established the Oke Iragbiji Grammar School; constructed the Iragbiji Town Hall; Court Hall; Post Office; Police Station; Palace building etc. He was an elected member, Western Region House of Chiefs. His reign was a watershed in Iragbiji history and put on records several historical facts which would have perished.

14.           Oba Timothy Adepoju Oyelade:- (1974 – 2008) His reign witnessed the Electrification and provision of portable water to Iragbiji; construction of Alajeseku building; creation of Boripe Local Government with Iragbiji as capital; establishment of Comprehensive Health Centre; construction of Town Hall Annex; Baptist Grammar School; Community High School; School of Science etc.

15.           Oba Abdul Rasheed Ayotunde Olabomi (Odundun IV):- (May 22, 2008)

Oba Abdulraheed was crowned on May 22, 2008 as the royal father of the Iragbiji indigenes, upon attaining the throne of his fore-fathers, he set a vision and mission for Iragbiji town; his vision is “striving constantly through a synergy of available human and material resources to achieving a developmental feat ahead of its compeers and be a global reference point on excellence as a community” while his mission statement is "to maximally harness all internal and external potentials at all times in and all situations to the utmost advantage of Iragbiji and its people with a view to achieving the vision of the community thereby attaining social-economic, cultural, educational, political and infrastructural development in all spheres of endeavour"[24]. The Aragbiji's core values is based on "placing premium on proven integrity, industry, fairness and co-operation amongst all people living on Iragbiji land and others in the Diaspora with a view to cutting out unique positive identity in all endeavours as good ambassadors of Iragbiji community"[25]. Oba Abdulrasheed established the Anaye market; opened up 26 new roads; constructed palace Mosque; inaugurated the Iragbiji Development Summit and rolling Plans; facilitated the Oba Rasheed Olabomi Model Primary School at Orita Odan; Iragbiji/Egbeda; Iragbiji/Elesun/Kelebe/Osogbo Road asphaltic constructions by the state government; renovated the palace structures; organised Traditional Chiefs into Committees; created and appointed Asoju Obas/Baales (Liaison Chiefs) into the new Quarters (Eleven new Quarters); organised free Eye Treatment and surgical operations for over 2,500 people; Empowerment programmes; Cultural and Tourism development etc. and gave the whole town a fresh image of hope. Hopes to bring tremendous social amenities to the town to have it linked with Osogbo and Egbeda with enduring social amenities. In addition to aforementioned achievements, the presented Aragbiji has adopted the use of social media platforms in disseminating vital information to all sons and daughters of Iragbiji both at home and in Diaspora. The Pathfinder College of Health Technology, a private institution was established. He elevated Aragbiji stool to the position of Deputy chairman[26].

Tourist Attractions

Iragbiji has a number of natural tourist sites some of which are as follows; Okanyilule (Double hills)[25], Ile-Ona Museum of Art and Archival materials (collection of M.O.)[27], The Palace museum, Igbodu place/Cave Ori Oke, Ayeye (mythical stream), Alagaso water source, Alagaso cave, Oke Moori, Okuta Odo (Motar) hill, Osun shrine, Obatala shrine, Igbo Igbale, Isikan hill, Ile Nla (Antiquated palace building), Ota Igun hill, Gbanla/Oso Osi site, Ojolukoko shrine, Oba Ogunmolu shrine, Isanpa, Traditional war fence (Earth), Traditional stone wall fence, Sanpona shrine Oke Agbo and Ira Tree site[28][29].

List of Boripe Local Government Chairmen From 1991 till Date

Boripe local government was created in 1991

1.                  Prince Gboyega Famoodun    

2.                  Elder Bode Aremu

3.                  Alhaji Kareem Adegboyega Afolabi

4.                  Chief Adeniyi Aina

5.                  Elder Ruben Ajayi

6.                  Prince Bimbo Oyedele

7.                  Hon. Kehinde Hassan Moronkeji

8.                  Hon. Tajudeen Abiodun Ayantoye[30]

9.                  Hon. (Rev) Oyeyiola Adelani Adebayo

Educational Institutions

List of Educational Institutions

Iragbiji is currently experiencing growth in size with number of educational institutions as evident below[31];

Public Primary Schools

1.                  N. U. D School 1, Isale Oyo, Iragbiji

2.                  N. U. D. School 2, Isale Oyo, Iragbiji

3.                  St. Peters Anglican Primary School, Oloti Area, Iragbiji

4.                  Baptist Primary School, Isale Oyo, Iragbiji

5.                  C & S Primary School, Ajegunle Area, Iragbiji

6.                  Oba Rasheed Ayotunde Olabomi Model Primary School, Orita Odan, Iragbiji

7.                  C. A. C. Primary School, Idi-Isakaagba, Iragbiji

8.                  L. A. Primary School, Popo, Iragbiji

9.                  L. A. Primary School Eesade, Iragbiji

10.              Methodist Primary School, Otapete Area, Iragbiji

11.              Ajani Okin Memorial Primary School, Adugbo, Iragbiji

Less City

12.              C. A. C. Primary School, Idi-Ogungun

13.              Community Primary School, Oore

14.              Community Primary School, Odebudo

15.              Aderibigbe Memorial Primary School, Eleesun

16.              Agbeniga Community Primary School, Aro Ayedaade

17.              D. C. Primary School, Egbeda

18.              Community Primary School, Ayekale

Public Secondary Schools

1.            Oke Iragbiji Grammar School, Iragbiji

2.            Baptist Secondary Grammar School, Iragbiji

3.            Unity School, Iragbiji

4.            Nawar-ud-Deen Grammar School, Isale Oyo, Iragbiji

Private Nursery/ Primary Schools

1.            FOMWAN Nursery School, Adugbo, Iragbiji

2.            God Supremacy Nursey & Primary School, Iragbiji

3.            Our Lady of Fatimah Nursey & Primary School,  Adikoko, Iragbiji

4.            Pace Setter Nursery & Primary School, Egbeda Road, Iragbiji

5.            Onward Nursery & Primary School, Iragbiji

6.            Gods Heritage Nursery & Primary School, Iragbiji

7.            Prince of Peace Nursery & Primary School, Iragbiji

8.            Ibad Rahaman Nursery & Primary School, Iragbiji

9.            Dunit Nursery & Primary School, Iragbiji

10.        Markaz Nursery & Primary School, Iragbiji

11.        A2 Group of Schools, Isale Oyo, Iragbiji

Private Secondary Schools

1.            FOMWAN High School, Iragbiji

2.            Victory Scientific High School, Iragbiji

3.            A2 Comprehensive High School, Iragbiji

4.            Muslim Comprehensive High School, Iragbiji

5.            Pace Setter Group of Schools, Iragbiji

Tertiary Institutions

1.    Pathfinder College of Health Technology, Isanpa, Iragbiji.

2.    Proposed Bisola University,  Egbeda Road, Iragbiji

3.    Osun State College of Education Ilesa Sandwich Centre, Oke-Iragbiji Grammar School, Iragbiji

Health Institutions

Hospital/ Health Centres

1.            Comprehensive Health Centre, Iragbiji

2.            Four Primary Health Centres (Public)

3.            Ten Private Hospitals/Medical Centres, Iragbiji

4.            National Primary Health Centre, Iragbiji (Inoperational)

As of 2006, about 75% of children in five different schools in Iragbiji were found to have intestinal helminth parasites (a type of parasitic worm.[32]

Markets (Oja)

There are 10 markets in Iragbiji, namely;  

Oja Anaye, Oja Oba, Oja Araromi, Oja Oke Osun, Oja Egbeda, Oja Oore, Oja Kajola Eleesun, Oja Ayekale, Oja Sara and Oja Idi Ogungun respectively.

Financial Institutions

There are two banks in Iragbiji town;

I.                   Wema Bank Plc, Oba's Palace, Iragbiji.

II.                 OSPOLY Microfinance Bank Ltd, Palace Market, Iragbiji

CSS Prem, Lagos.

References

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