Iwo, Osun

Iwo is a City in Osun State, Nigeria that is the seat of the Iwo Kingdom, a traditional state. The Iwo people, like all other people of Yoruba stock are said to have belonged to Ile-Ife from where they migrated sometimes in the 14th century. The only predicted land with the symbol of the parrots to locate where the promised land will be found which happens to be the present Iwoland The City formerly part of old Oyo state was later separated and became one of the major townships in Osun State, Nigeria.

Iwo Ìwó Odíderé
LGA and city
Nickname(s):  Iwo Olodo Oba
Motto(s):  Iwo Olodo Oba, Iwo Ateni Gbola Ateni Gbore.
Iwo
Coordinates: 7°38′N 4°11′E
Country	Nigeria
State	Osun State
Founded by	Oluwo
Government
• Oluwo of Iwo	None
Area
• Total	214 km^2 (83 sq mi)
Population  (2006 Census)
• Total	191,377
	(central city/Local Government) most populous Local Government in Osun State.
Time zone	UTC+1
3-digit postal code prefix	232
ISO 3166 code	NG.OS.IO
Climate	Aw

It has over 30 ancient and powerful Kings all under the Oluwo of Iwoland as the only Consenting Authority and first class paramount Ruler in an area of 245 km² and a population of 191,348 (central city/Local Government) most populous Local Government in Osun State by the 2006 Nigeria National census figures. The other local governments in Iwo from satellite towns are Aiyedire Local Government, 265.783 km² area and 76,309 by population, as well as Ola-Oluwa Local Government, 332.117 km² area and 76,227 by population. The Headquarters of the Local Governments are Iwo (Central), Iwo; Aiyedire, Ile Ogbo; and Ola-Oluwa, Bode-Osi. The postal code of the area is 232.[1]

Education

The source of orthodox Education in Iwo was, initially, primarily Christian Missionary based. These were mostly Baptist as each Baptist Church branch in the central city established a primary school of its own with corresponding name after the branch: Aipate Baptist Day School, Olukotu Baptist Day School, Feesu Baptist Day School, Oke-Odo Baptist Day School. The Baptists also established a secondary school, Baptist High school, Iwo, the only institution in Iwo awarding Advanced Level of West African School Certificate in addition to the Ordinary Level certificate. There was also a Baptist Modern school (now obsolete in Nigeria educational system) which now metamorphosed to Baptist Grammar school - awarding ordinary level certificates like other secondary schools. These in addition to the old Baptist College, a Teacher Training College, and one of the oldest of such in Africa and main source of teachers to the Nigerian and other African countries Education system. The College is now the site of Bowen University, the secular Baptist University, and the only University in Iwo and environment.[2] The Baptists were followed by the Methodist who had a Methodist Primary School in the central city, as well a Modern school, now United Methodist High School.

The Catholics had a Modern School, now Catholic Grammar School, and a Female Secondary School- St. Marys High School which is now a co-educational school.

The government later joined the Christian missionaries in establishing many primary schools, a Modern School, Local authority Modern School, now Local Authority Commercial Grammar School, a Teacher Training College, LATCO, later changed in 1964 to Iwo Grammar School.

Muslim missionaries also joined the efforts later in establishing Ansar-U-deen Primary School, Ansar-U-Deen Modern School which is now Ansar-U-deen Grammar School, and Anwar-ul-Islam Grammar School. The first Shariah court in Nigeria was established in Iwo. [3] Iwo people are majorly Muslim as early as 1655 when the first mosque in Yorubaland was built which serves as the first place of worship and Islamic education.[4] Among the major secondary schools are the Iwo Grammar School, the United Methodist High School, the Baptist High School, St. Mary's High School, the L.A. Commercial Grammar School, Islahudeen Grammar School and the Anwar-ul-Islam Grammar School as well as several others. Iwo is well noted for Arabic/Islamic education. There are several Arabic schools (Modrassah)in the City and many Iwo indigenes usually have a taste of this along with the secular schools. The popular Modrassah include Islamic youth center (morkaz shabaab) which was established by late Islamic scholar named Sheikh Ahmad Muhally Adedimeji Aroworeki, Islahudeen Arabic School, Obatedo, founded by late Sheikh Abdulbaaqi Muhammad in the early 1960s. Amin Training Center, Araromi is another prominent school established by late Sheikh Badrudeen Al-Amin in the 1950s.

There are many primary schools in the satellite towns established by the former Western Regional Government as well as many secondary schools in Iwo and its satellite towns which were established during the tenure of Chief Bola Ige as the governor of the old Oyo state.

Higher Institutions: BOWEN University, [5] and Wolex Polytechnic, Baptist Teachers' Training College which was located at Oke Odo in Iwo, but this facility is now used as the campus of Bowen University. Another institution in Iwo is Shariah College of Nigeria, which used to be in Ibadan before it was relocated to its permanent site at Oke-Afo, Iwo.[6]

Among the major private secondary schools are Islamic Model College, Muslim International School, Agbaje Memorial Comprehensive College, Aipate Baptist School, Vico-Hope Comprehensive College, A-1 Grammar School, Crowey Schools, Regina Mundi Girls Secondary School, etc.

Community based organisations

Among the leading community based organisations in Iwo are; Iwo Board of Trustees (IBOT), Iwo Action Council (IWAC), Iwo Progressive Union (IPU), Iwoland Development Coalition (IDC) among others. Iwo Action Council (IWAC) is the umbrella body of all organisations in Iwo. IWAC has been known for being in the forefront as developmental focus organisation.[7]

Iwoland Development Coalition (IDC) was formed on 29 August 2014 to champion development of Iwo, Aiyedire and Ola Oluwa Local Government. IDC currently have members in countries like: Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Côte d'Ivoire, France, United State of America, United Kingdom etc. [8]. IDC though is still a new organisation but have succeeded in establishing health clinic at Akinbami in Aiyedire Local Government, reconstructed culvert at Ojude Oba in Iwo, staged schools tour in Iwo, Aiyedire and Ola Oluwa Local Governments, award scholarship to students in need, rehabilitate Yidi Oba culvert, organised lectures on burning issues, distributed over 8,000 health books (containing useful information on how to take care of pregnant and Children), organised widows empowerment programme, provide nutritional support to orphans and vulnerable children, take care of people with disabilities, researched the history of Iwoland, administered Vitamin A and Abendazole for the benefit of children of ages 0 and 5 years, patched pot holes from Adeeke and Kajola road, cleaned and painted Iwo roundabout, organised health outreach, assisted Local Authority Grammar School to transport chairs from Iwo Grammar School and payment of WAEC examination of 6 students two each from Iwo, Aiyedire and Ola Oluwa Local Government.[9]

References

1. "Post Offices- with map of LGA". NIPOST. Archived from the original on 2009-10-07. Retrieved 2009-10-20.
2. https://bowenuniversity.edu.ng/new/
3. http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/131497-islam-came-to-south-before-northern-nigeria-isa-yuguda.html
4. http://nairaproject.com/projects/2169.html
5. http://osun.gov.ng/about/major-towns/iwo/
6. http://www.shariahcollege.com/
7. http://thenationonlineng.net/iwo-indigenes-want-aregbesola-approve-journalism-institute/
8. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1457000667917000/?ref=group_header
9. http://idung.org/