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BRIEF HISTORY OF OJO

Findings had it that Ojo is an ancient town founded many centuries back which is not less than about 15th centuries by Ologbe although the specific day (period) could not be stated but facts show that that it was among the earliest towns in the then Oke-Osun now Egbedore local government of the State of Osun. Among the earliest towns include Ido-Osun, Ara, Awo and Iragberi. It is an undisputable fact that Ojo town is older than many towns such as Ede, Ogbomoso and several others. If to go according to reliable historians like Oyediran and Samuel Johnson when the former said that Ogbomoso was said to be settled during the period of Alaafin Sango/ Kori who is believed to have reign between 1600 – 1650 but Ede was said to have been since sixteen century, whereas the first Alapo Tiemi later called Timi came to Oke-Osun on the call made by the rulers in Oke Osun such as Olojo, Alara, Alawo, Olojudo and Aragberi e.t.c during the old Oyo empire due to the incessant attacks by the fulanis who kidnapped, invade, and stole people of Oke-Osun communities belongings. It should be noted that Ojo people were scattered and sought refuge in a neighboring communities when the war reach the climax some of the communities are Ilobu, Ede, Fesu-Iwo, Ogbomoso, Ibadan, Abonle’s compound in Ile-Ogbo, Akiti’Compound in Odeomo, Abule Alalubosa in Ibadan and host of others. That is while Olojo’s compound is now in Ede, Ilobu, Olojo’s market in Ogbomoso.

HOW THE NAME OJO CAME TO EXISTANCE There is a song in Ile-Ile dialect where tribute was given to the name “Olojo”: “Oba ree Olojo hanmo foba sire (twice) Oreleriko lobio Oba ree Olojo hanmo fobasire (twice)” Ologbe as mentioned above was a prince, farmer and hunter is the founder of Ojo who is one of the Oduduwa grandsons. He migrated from Ile-Ife from a place to be precisely called Akeran’s compound in Ilare Ile-Ife centuries ago. Ologbe left Ile-Ife after consulting Ifa- Oracle and arrived Oke-Osun with his beaded crown and other valuable materials. Some centuries ago which cannot be less than 15th century ; Ologbe was said to have left Ile-Ife for Oke Osun and decided to stay as he could not continue the journey because of his old age and decided to stay as he got tried. Ologbe finally settled his abode at some distance to Osun River and began a new life there, some people majorly travellers and hunters saw the new settlement and settle with Ologbe. One day Ologbo was on hunting expedition within his domain and return to Osun River bank washing his garments, hunting bag, hunted animals and some farm products, it was during the period when big and powerful people and communities moved from one place to another to conquer the weak ones who would be sold or form part of their subjects. And when Ologbe saw the gang of warriors in war dresses, this created a great tension and this made Ologbe to look for the way out in order to safe himself as he when to hide behind (Opota Tree) the people in war dresses were surprised for the emergency disappearance of the man they have seen from distance or is it a beast?, they were confused as a result of this, the war commander commended his men to fish the man out either alive or dead. Despite the fact that they were not after him and when he (Ologbe) hard this, he quickly reappeared and surrendered himself. The commander than asked him why hidden and he explained that for the safety of his life and property. At this juncture all the men start laughing at him and jokily called him COWARD MAN i.e (Baba Olojo) in Yoruba language and they let him realized they were not after him but rather on their way to another neighboring communities. Since then, they used to refer to him as a coward man BABA OLOJO, whenever they were passing from their various expeditions as they later become friends. It should be added that from the frequent pronunciation from one generation to another made the name change to changed to Baba Olojo. Since then the title of the ruler of the community had been (Olojo) and his community is being called (OJO). But Yoruba adage says; Gentility of the Tiger is not by timidity means “yiyo ekun ti ojo ko” and another Yoruba adage says “moja mosa laama kikanju, toripe moja tio ba mosa, ma n ba ogun lo ni”. Today the name is generally pronounced as Ojo with the circumflex (do) represent by this sign (\) placed on the first letter(O).

UNIQUENESS ABOUT THE NAME OF OJO

It is observed that many people who for the first time heard the name of the town Ojo usually mispronounce it, therefore the coward man that ran for his life centuries ago is now referred to as “Olojo” means “Coward Man”. It is an undisputable fact that Ojo town is one of the first ancient towns in Oke Osun called Egbedore local government today. Researches have shown that there has never been any town or village called or address as Ojo although some towns or places have similar spelling but differ in pronunciation, this shows how God wanted the name to be unique among others.

RULLING HOUSES IN OJO

There are three ruling houses in Ojo town according to the section 3 chiefs law 1955 namely: Adepele Onimolodun Odusola While the incumbent kabiyesi, (HRM (Alh.) Oba Olayinka Gbolagade Tiamiyu JP II) hails from Onimolodun ruling house.

THE THRONE OF OLOJO OF OJO

Historically, the Olojo (Ologbe) come to Oke-Oke with beaded crowns, in fact Olojo of Ojo chieftaincy ranks among prominent Obas in Old Western Nigeria now comprising about six states and part of the facts was his recognition as a Prominent Traditional Ruler with entitlement to the wearing of the beaded crowns. In this respect and as a descendant of Oduduwa, the Yoruba Progenitor, Olojo’s name was among the list of Obas wearing crown as far back as early twentieth century precisely in 1904, Olojo’s name is contained in the (1904 gazette) and 1948 Province addressed to the Secretary Western Nigeria on Obas wearing Ife-Beaded Crowns. While Olojo of Ojo is among the permanent member of Osun State Council of Obas and Chiefs since 14th January 2008.

SOME PAST AND PRESENT OBAS

Oba (Alh.) Olayinka Gbolagade Tiamiyu 11 JP (Incumbent)            Onimolodun •	Oba Samuel Oyeleke Omotoso                                 Adepele •	Oba Adegoke Alao                                           Odusola •	Oba Salami Adisa Ige                                       Onimolodun •	Oba Adegoke Adio                                           Adepele •	Oba Dada                                                   Omimolodun •	Oba Oyetunde Ojo                                           Odusola

SOME OF THE TRADIONAL CHIEFS IN OLOJO’S CABINET •	Babakekere •	Eesa •	Jagun •	Balogun •	Seriki •	Ekerin •	Bara •	Otun Olojo •	Areago •	Iyalode •	Otun Iyalode •	Olu-Ode •	Iyaloja

NOTABLE BAALES UNDER OLOJO’S KINGDOM

Baale of Imofo-Ojo Baale of Ijagemo-Ojo Baale of Lado-Ojo Baale of Ajibandele- Ojo

OLOJO’S FESTIVAL/OBATALA FESTIVAL

Olojo celeberates Obatala cum Crown Festival, it is celebrated mostly in August. It is an annual festival that brings all Ojo indigenes at home and in Diaspora together to celebrate Obatala and crown wear by the Olojo. During the festive, Olojo will wear the most powerful beaded crown and pray for the development of the land, pray for all sons and daughters of the ancient town and residents of the town.

FESTIVAL INGREDENTS

•	Cola nut •	Aadun •	Bitter cola •	Eyele •	Sugar cane •	Groundnut •	She-goat

LOCATION OF OJO TOWN

Findings revealed that Ojo town is located at about six kilometres from Ede and about sixteen kilometres to the state capital Osogbo along Ede-Ara-Ejigbo road. According to Akin Ogundiran, Ph.d and Dr. Jannifer P. Saunders of Department of Africana Studies, Anthropology and History University of North Carolina at Charlotte also revealed the location of Ojo town using Global Position Locations thus: North- 070 48.669         Longitude East- 004025.570          Latitude The roads leading to Ojo town are in good motorable condition, good portable water, electricity and other infrastructures. The location of the town places it at the centre contact form Ara, Ejigbo, Ilobu, Erin-Osun, Ifon- Osun, Ede, Awo, Iwo-Ibadan and so on. The location is blessed with vast hectares of lands, this making the town highly influenced in the production of the farm products. It also has the opportunity to host cottage industries from the production of farm products.

OBA OLAYINKA GBOLAGADE TIAMIYI 11 J.P Olojo of Ojo (Background)

When people heard a cry from a labour room of their long awaiting dream, a new King was born on 22nd November 1946 unknown to both Prince Alade Oyeniyi Tiamiyu and Alhaja Sinatu Aderonke Tiamiyu of Onimolodun ruling house of Ojo town. Prince Olayinka began his life like every other man born of women; he started his primary school life at St. Michaels Primary School, Ilobu in 1953. He was also a sport loving kid especially track sports where he took several merit awards and in the year 1961 he proceeded to St. Paul’s Secondary modern School Ilobu where he spent only a term due to financial status of his parents. In 1961 when school ambition failed, he was enrolled into Okubanjo printing works at 101 Station Road Osogbo as an apprentice printer and graduated in 1965. Later Prince Jimoh Olayinka Gbolagade Tiamiyu work briefly with Agboola Produce Store in Agege Lagos while he was asked to manage a branch of the Company located at Ede. He later left for bread bakery industry where he established a bakery named Oluwalomose at Ejigbo in Osun state. Prince Olayinka eventually succeeded in bread baking as he opened branches in Ilobu and have a direct license to the Nigeria Flour Mail Apapa Lagos and later open a bakery in Ojo. In 1981 and 2005 he went to the Holy land Mecca for Holy Pilgrim while in 1986 he travelled to Hong Kong on Business mission. To crown it up, in 1991 when the position of Oba Samuel Oyeleye Omotoso became vacant as the Olojo of Ojo when he joined his fore- bearers, a man of mission, passion and action was expected by the people of the ancient town and after several consultations, Prince Jimoh Olayinka Gbolagade Tiamiyu a business tycoon filled the vacuum left by Oba Samuel Omotoso. Till date Oba Olayinka remain a break baker, farmer. He married and blessed with children.

CONTRIBUTION OF OBA OLAYINKA TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF OJO

Oba Olayinka has contributed tremendously to the socio-political economy of the ancient town and Yoruba race in general. His installation on 30th May 1991 has brought lots of development to the ancient town which he is pursue with almost zeal. While struggling for the development of his community, Oba Olayinka attracted foreigners, investors, well wishers and government bodies at all levels including Non-Governmental Organisations and International Organisations. Some of them are stated below: •	UNDP, UNICEF •	Dr. (Late) Michael Warren of Iowa University, United States of America whose effort led to the establishment of Nursery and Primary School in Ojo and donation of all necessary materials for the sustenance of the school. •	Oba Olayinka also saw to the tarring of Ede-Ojo-Ara-Ejigbo road in 1993. •	Ojo Ultra Modern Town Hall under construction. •	Building Onimolodun Ruling House •	He saw to the extension of pipe borne water •	Provision of electricity in the community •	Extension and creation of more roads in the town as a way of given the town her master plan for future use. •	Saw to the building of Public toilets and water tanks through UNDP support programmes and made UNDP a friend of the community. •	Oba Olayinka has been able to restore the glory and position of Ojo and Olojo of Ojo which have been rendered weak locally and internationally. •	Elevation of the throne as one of the first class Obas in the local government and Part 11 Oba in the state as recognized under Part 11 Chief Laws Law on 3rd August 2004 •	Elevation of Olojo of Ojo seat to the permanent member of Osun State Council of Obas and Chiefs on 14th January 2008 •	Oba Olayinka also make sure that his town is known to everybody by given it the desire publicity through the broadcast media, print media and to the recent internet and social media where he shows the cultural values of the ancient town to the outside world. •	He saw to the establishment of two filling stations in the community. •	He is the initiator of Ojo day celebration in 1999 •	He saw to the establishment of Ojo/Aro Grammar School. •	He founded Owode Market •	Establishment of Bread Bakery at Oke-Ola area. •	Tourism Centre for students form Citadel of learning such as Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife Department of Art and Culture do        visit the town annually. •	Establishment of Agro-Alai Industry in the community such as: RTO Agric, Ojo and one of the biggest in farms in Osun State. •	Paid several visits to various places where the sons and Daughters of Ojo sought refuge during the war that scattered them some centuries back to come home such as Abonle’s Compound in Fesu- Iwo. •	Attending local, state, national and international monarch summit, gatherings, functions such as been part of the traditional entourage member of His Imperial Majesty Ooni of Ife to the republic of Benin.

OJO TOWN ANTHEM

Ilu Ojo ni won bimisi Emi gangan omo ilu Ojo, Maya funja mi giri lati walo siwaju Ojo, Ojo, Ojo ijosi ni won ya ojo Amo yiyo ekun tojo ko Amo awa ti iseyin o akin niwa, akin niwa o jare Awa lomo olojo o ya woye, a wa lomo tantantan koba olosi tan Apa eran laafi nsegun Ilu Igbin ni ilu awon baba wa Emi a gbe, ki wo o gbe, ko le ga

(composed by Prince Saheed olayinka Olaitan Adeniran)

REFERENCE

Akin Ogundiran, Jannifer P. Saunders: The Location of Ojo Town in a Global 	Position.

Samuel Johnson (1921): The History of the Yorubas: From the Earliest times to 	the Beginning of the British Protectorate. UK: Lowe & Brydone Printers Limited. Pg 155

Osun State Council of Obas 2008 elevation gazette