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IKIRUN HISTORICAL CITY IN YORUBALAND

Ikirun, is an historical city that derived its name from the founder of the town called Akinorun. Akinorun is a hunter who founded Ikirun.

GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION Ikirun is situated in the north-eastern part of Osun state of Nigeria in Osun northeast division Ikirun is located within latitude 7 degree 50 feet north of Equator and longitude 4 degree 40 feet east of Greenwich meridian. The town is located in a valley surrounded by 2 hills. Obagun/Gbogi hill to north and Aafo hill to the south and Alaroka and Idi-olo mountain to the east. Ikirun is centrally located in Osun north-east division of Osun state. It is bounded on the north by Inisa town in Odo-otin local government area. On the south by Osogho, the Osun state capital. To the east by Iragbiji town in Boripe local government council. And on the west by Eko-Ende town also in Ifelodun local government council.

POPULATION: It is estimated that the population of Ikirun was about 60,826 (according to National Population Census, Ikirun).

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES Akinorun had two sons, Akinbiyi and Akinyemi who ruled and died at the original site, Igbo Irele. One of other Akinoruns children Oba-Ara, Gboleru and Adedeji moved out of the original site at Igbo Irele because there was shortage of water. Oba-Ara became the first ruler of the present Ikirun while Basetan became Eesa and head of the traditional chiefs and kingmakers in the town. In recognition of the original role of Basetan as Oba-Aras host, every Oba soon after his appointment is obliged to spend a period of time, previously three months but now cut to three days with Eesa. Just as Ikirun is derived from Akinorun so does the title of Oba Akinrun takes its origin from the same name.

NAMES OF PAST OBAS (KINGS) IN IKIRUN As mentioned earlier, the former settlement at Igbo-Irele was short lived. However,since the birth of permanent and present site of the town, fourteen Akinrun has reigned over Ikirun town. They are as follows: 1. Olasinde Obaara 2. Gboleru 3. Aye Munije 4. Adedeji I 5. Olusosun 6. Fatolu 7. Oyewole 8. Lalowo 9. Oyebode 10. Ola 11. Akadiri 1887 - 1917 12. Oba Kolawole 1917 1940 13 Oba Kusamotu Oyewole 14. Oba Lawani Adeyemi Oyejola 1945 1989 15. Oba Raufu Olayiwola Olawale Adedeji the present Akinrun of Ikirun whose coronation ceremony took place on 5th July, 1990.

TRADITIONAL CHIEFS OF IKIRUN The traditional chiefs of Ikirun are as follows: 1. Chief Eesa he is the head of king makers 2. Chief Odofin 3. Chief Ojomu 4. Chief Elemo 5. Chief Aro 6. Chief Jagun 7. Chief Baale Okeba 8. Chief Olukotun

WOMEN TITLE HOLDERS Women also hold traditional titles in Ikirun such as Iyalode of Ikirun, Otun Iyalode, Osi Iyalode, Ekerin Iyalode and Iyaloja.

NAMES OF COMPOUNDS IN IKIRUN 1. Ile Adu 2. Alagbede 3. Aare Olugasa 4. Agbojari 5. Alagbede pon 6.Awodi Ogun 7. Ile Aloba 8.Alubata Agboja 9. Amola 10. Abitimo 11. Aromokanla 12. Aare-Onibon 13. Akan-an 14. Aare 15. Alaran 16. Abojo 17. Apanpa 18. Amugangan 19. Abudu 20. Agunjin 21. Agbere 22. Asuramu 23. Alataya 24. Akeremewe 25. Anlamole 26. Agbaleke 27. Alawo 28. Adeyeri 29. Akio 30.Agbopa 31. Aboke 32. Afonpe 33. Are-Ago 34. Aiwosi 35. Aje- Oba 36. Ajenbe 37. Agbori oko 38. Alagbaa 39. Alawe 40. Agba-akin 41. Aladi 42. Ajele- Ilorin 43. Aloba 44. Ajiyalu 45. Ajibesin 46. Asalu 47. Abidogun 48. Aro 49. Aresa 50. Aworo-Irele 51. Amolese 52. Arobo 53. Ajele 54. Ajimosun 55. Alalufaa (Isale Aafo) 56. Atere 57. Ajakaye Onipele 58. Ajana 59. Asaba 60. Ajele Okeba 61. Ago Okeba 62. Ajisefinni 63. Alufa Akanbi 64. Adedeji 65. Alabi 66. Aniyeye 67. Agunlo 68. Aliyu 69. Aborisade 70. Agbon 71 Ayara 72. Baale- Enle 73. Baba Osogbo 74. Orisayo 75. Balogun 76. Baale Gbenagbena 77. Baale Onilu 78. Baale Ponja Erintunde 79. Saba 80. Balogun Kojo 81. Baale Oke Aafo 82. Balogun Makinde 83. Baba Isale 84. Balogun Imole 85. Baba Oloya 86. Baale Arabanbi 87. Baale Babatola 88. Baale Soyan 89. Balogun Okeba 90. Bada 91. Baale Aludundun Ayan 92. Baale Oya Omo Onira 93. Eesa 94. Eesade 95. Enju 96. Egunjobi 97. Elejin 98. Elemo Abioye (Oke Aafo) 99. Elemo Ago 100. Efun Akun 101. Ebipologba 102. Elemoso Agan 103. Esu Agiriemu 104. Elemoso Ogun 105. Esubiyi 106. Eesorun Okeba 107. Elega 108. Eesa Olorombo 109. Gesinde 110. Gbalade 111. Gbenagbena 112. Gbesi 113. Iya Oba 114. Iyalaje 115. Idi Akoko 116. Tunde 117. Idi omo 118. Iyalode 119. Idi Okuta 120. Inurin 121. Jagun Aworinde 122. Jagun Ajibade 123. Jagun Oyewo 124. Kalemori 125. Kuoye 126. Kolawolu 127. Lanseje 128. Lamulamu 129. Laawe 130. Lagbeja 131. Masao 132. Motayo 133. Mosalo 134. Megida 135. Naana 136. Osikolaba 137. Oluawo Onisegun 138. Olorebe 139. Olukuewu 140. Oluode 141. Otinlojuoti 142. Ologa 143. Olorunbasiri 144. Olomu 145. Olobedu 146. Ojomu Awerijaye 147. Olosun 148. Olaese 149. Olola Gogoro 150. Omitokun 151. Oluawo Onifa 152. Oyo Igbajo 153. Ojomu Agbosoye 154. Oloyan 155. Ogala 156. Onijabe 157. Olabugan 158. Oyewumi 159. Oluawo Onijabe 160. Oluode Fekete 161. Oibo Taiwo 162. Olota 163. Olaore 164. Olorisa Oko 165. Oyo 166. Oloko 167. Oyelami 168. Olora 169. Owolabi 170. Obale 171. Ogun 172. Ogodu 173. Ojomu Alao 174. Olori Onisango 175. Odofin Awo 176. Olorungunna 177. Oluode Okeba 178. Ojongbodu 179. Oniwaye 180. Olobu 181. Olukolo 182. Osolo Okeba 183. Ogundeji Okeba 184. Olori Oloya 185. Olufon 186. Olonde 187. Okela 188. Oke Gboye 189. Omode 190. Ogbaro 191. Pajapaja 192. Patoro 193. Paado 194. Sagede 195. Simo Isale 196. Simo Oke 197. Sobaloju 198. Oke Owo 199. Shitu Adegboye 200. Sise 201. Sagbedo 202. Sunmonu Aweda 203. Samolope 204. Toibo. 205. Solo Ibikunle. 206. Ile Ponjo 207. Ile Agboja

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES OFFICE IN IKIRUN The following are the Federal Government Establishments in Ikirun: 1. The Nigerian Police Divisional Headquaters Iyaganku, Ikirun 2. The Nigerian Police, Motor Traffic Division, Oja Oba, Ikirun 3. Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Station Road, Ikirun 4. Nigerian Telecommunication (NITEL) Station Road, Osogbo 5. General Post Office Station Road, Ikirun 6. National Population Commission Old Ifelodun Local Government Secretariat, Ikirun 7. Federal Office of Statistics, Ikirun 8. Immigration Office, New Ifelodun Local Government Secretariat, Ikirun 9. State Security Services, Ikirun 10. National Orientation Agency (NAO), Old Ifelodun Local Government Secretariat, Ikirun. 11. National Youth Service Corps Zonal Headquarters, New Ifelodun Local Government Secretariat, Ikirun. 12. Federal Ministry of Works and Housing Along Ikirun-Ofa Express Road, Ikirun.

OSUN STATE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES OFFICE The Osun State Government Establishment offices in Ikirun are as follows: a. Osun State Agricultural Mechanization Corporation, State Headquarters, Ikirun. a. Ministry of Education Along Iragbiji Road, Ikirun. b. Fire Service Along Station Road, Ikirun. c. Chief Magistrate Court Iragbiji Road, Ikirun. d. High Court Eko Ende Road, Ikirun e. Ministry of Health (Primary Health Care Center), Olaore Estate, Inisha Road, Ikirun. f. Ministry of Works (Zonal Office), Eweta, Ikirun. g. Osun State Property Development Corporation (Agunbe Estate), Osogbo Road, Ikirun. h. Land and Physical Planning Bureau, Labaeka Estate, Old Inisha Road, Ikirun. i. Osun State Water Corporation (Zonal Office), Old Inisha Road, Ikirun. j. Ifelodun Local Government Education Authority Akinorun Grammar School-Express Junction, Ikirun. k. Ministry of Finance, Commerce and Industry (Internal Revenue) Oke Afo, Ikirun.

DAILY & WEEKLY MARKETS IN IKIRUN The following are major markets in Ikirun: 1. Oja Oba which is attended every day. It is situated directly in front of the Obas palace. 2. Oja Oba Adeyemi popularly known as Oja Alamisi i.e. Thursday Market. It is attended once every Thursday. It is situated along Oke Afo-Express junction, Ikirun. 3. Oja Oba Adedeji popularly known as Oja Monday which is attended every Monday. It is situated directly in front of Akinorun Grammar School, Railway Station Road, Ikirun. 4. Oja Oba Adedeji, popularly known as Oja Satide is attended every Saturday and is situated along State Hospital Road, Ikirun. 5. Oba Adedeji Shopping Complex, situated along Oke Afo, Osogbo Road, Ikirun.

POST-PRIMARY INSTITUTIONS IN IKIRUN 1. Akinorun Grammar School, Station Road, Ikirun. 2. African Church Grammar School, Idi Olo area, Old Iragbiji Road, Ikirun. 3. Coker Memorial Grammar School, Old Inisha Road, Ikirun. 4. Onaolapo Memorial Grammar School, Isale Agunjin, Ikirun. 5. Holy Michael High School, Iragbiji Road, Ikirun. 6. Orimolade Commercial Grammar School, Iragbiji Road, Ikirun. 7. School of Science, Old Inisha Road, P.O. Box 446, Ikirun. 8. Federal Government College, Odo Amo, P.O. Box 5203, Ikirun.

PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN IKIRUN 1. Nawair Udeen Primary School, Oba Adeyemi Street, Ikirun 2. Methodist Primary School, Oke Aafo, Ikirun. 3. Holy Trinity Primary School, Oke Aafo, Ikirun 4. School for the Handicapped Children, Oke Iroko, Ikirun. 5. Local Authority Primary School, Moboreje, Ikirun. 6. Methodist Primary School II, Oke Aafo, Ikirun. 7. Baptist Day School, Oke Iroko, Ikirun. 8. St. Pauls R.C.M. Primary School, Ikirun. 9. Holy Michael Cherubin and Seraphim Church School, Ikirun. 10. All Saints African Primary School, Oke Iroko, Ikirun. 11. C.A.C. Primary School, Ikirun 12. L.A. Primary School, Moboreje, Ikirun. 13. Savior Primary School, Behind Old Motor park, Ikirun. 14. Community Primary School, Eweta, Ikirun.

HOTELS RESTAURANTS AND CANTEENS a. KENTAIDO HOTEL, Station Road, Ikirun. b. OLUSANU HOTEL, Odo Amo, Ikirun c. OTITOLEKE GUEST INN, Oke Afo, Ikirun. d. OLOOKU RELAXING CORNER, Oke Aafo, Ikirun. e. IREWOLEDE HOTEL, Oyedokun Street, Ikirun. f. RAINBOW HOTEL, Oyedokun Street, Ikirun. g. OBALOWU HOTEL, Eweta, Ikirun. h. RIF CAFETERIA, Okiti Baba, Inisha Road, Ikirun.

BANKING INSTITUTIONS 1. Skye Bank formerly Cooperative Bank PLC, Inisha Road, Ikirun. 2. Union Bank PLC, Inisha Road, Ikirun. 3. Ifelodun Community Bank, Oke Aafo, Ikirun.

TRADITIONAL IRELE FESTIVAL IN IKIRUN The Irele festival comes up in July every year to coincide with harvest of new yams. In Ikirun, new yams must not be brought to the Obas market for sale until after Irele yam festival is held.

Irele festival is celeberated to commemorate the companion of founder of Ikirun. History has it that Akinorun came with a companion, named Irele. Like Akinorun he was a powerful hunter and warrior. They both first settle in what is known as Igbo Irele. Not quite long after their arrival at Igbo Irele, Akinorun took ill. He called his companion and his people, and handed the leadership over to Irele. Thereafter he died. The administration of the town and welfare of all that was left by Akinorun were in the hands of Akinoruns children and Irele. He took up the challenge and whenever war threatened Igbo Irele, he quickly rose and founght gallantly.

Irele announced his imminent death and gave certain instruction that must be adhere to by the people. He gave them two calabashes with the instructions never to open them. He then dipped osanyin staff into the ground with instructions that whenever an attack was imminent, the people should go there and call his name upon which he would fight for them. He added that when he died he black dog must be sacrified. With this instructions, Irele, according to legend, entered into the ground. Akinoruns eldest son, Akinbiyi continued the administration.

APPRECIATION It was in appreciation of what Irele did for Ikirun when he was alive that the people deified him and made a convenant that they would worship him and offer him sacrifices every year during the month of July to coincide with harvest of the yams.

EGUNGUN FESTIVAL IN IKIRUN In Yoruba land, there is a festival which is called Egungun festival. In Ikirun, Chief Ojomu is the traditional Chief in charge of Egungun Ilu (Town masquerade) while Chief Olota is the leader of all Egungun Oje (Magical masquerade) of the town. Egungun festival comes up in May every year and holds for seven (7) consecutives days. It is Chief Olota and Chief Ojomu who fix the days of the Celebration of Egungun festival in Ikirun. On the appointed day, Akinorun and his traditional Chiefs moves to celebrate in the residence of Chiefs Ojomu and Olota, they will later proceed to Igbo Igbale for further ceremonies. On the third day known as Ojo Ita all Egunguns in Ikirun would comes out. There are two types of Egungun in Ikirun. The first group are the Egungun Ilu otherwise known as Eegun Olore. They do whip on one another to entertain people. These include Doodika (Sika), Orogun meji, Labinkolo, Yemoja, and Yerepe. The second category is the Egungun Oje. They are masquerades who performs magical acts (Idan) to entertain People. These include Owolewa, Eyeba, Alagbaa and Eyefo-odo. On the seventh day (Ijo Ije), Chief Ojomu and Olota do feast the Egunguns, celebrants and other traditional chiefs. They prepare meals such as pounded yam and egusi soup. All Egunguns come out and pay homage to Akinrun and his Chiefs at the palace. The Egunguns will entertain the Oba and the Chiefs and thereafter offer prayer for Akinrun. As part of the ceremony, the masquerades proceed to the central market, near the Akinruns palace where they entertain the townfolks by blessing the artisans, traders and market men and women. The people in turn give present such as kolanut and money to all the masquerades.

IKIRUN DAY CELEBRATION The idea behind Ikirun Day Celebration was the outcome or aftermath of a meeting of all Clubs in Ikirun which took place in December, 1991. The main objectives or purpose of Ikirun Day Celebration are as follows: First, to give the indigenes of Ikirun an opportunity to get acquaninted with the progress that their town has made so far, its problems and aspirations, and therefore make an assessment of the areas which various clubs and associations could be of help, financially and morally to the historic town. Secondly, Ikirun Day Celebration is an occasion of re-union. The Day is celebrated so as to generate rapport among Ikirun indigines by bringing them together in a carnival-like atmosphere, at least once a year. Thirdly, to bring home Ikirun indigenes who sojourn in far away places without coming home for many years. Fourthly, the Day is also set aside to generate and raise funds for the developmental projects e.g. building of modern palace for Akinrun. Lastly, to invite visitors, investors outsiders and friends to Ikirun in order to know the indigines and appreciate the beauty and culture of the township. The first Ikirun Day came up on the 18th April, 1992 at Akinorun Grammar School premises, Ikirun. The Day was preceded by prayers in the mosques and churches, symposium and paying of homage to Kabiyesi by the people of Ikirun at home and abroad.

DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS NEEDED AT IKIRUN 1. Construction of more classrooms in our primary and secondary schools. 2. Expansion of market stalls 3. Citing of small scale industries 4. Provision of street lights in Ikirun 5. Repairs of broken water pipes in the town 6. Rehabilitation and tarring of existing township roads. 7. Erection of roundabout at Oba Adedeji market 8. Provision of recreational facilities 9. Establishment of higher institution of learning 10. Equiping the Ikirun Library with current books and computers. 11. Efficient distribution of mail in Ikirun 12. Establishment of more banks 13. Construction of Cultural Center 14. Construction of a Stadium 15. Award of Scholarship to indigines 16. Renovation of Townhall.

PUBLIC BUSINESS CENTRES 1.BOLSAL ENTERPRISES NIGERIA LIMITED, NO 6,OKE 'BA STREET IKIRUN OSUN STATE.

DIRECTOR ALHAJI CHIEF BOLA SALAMI.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND REFERENCES IKIRUN A TOWN IN OSUN STATE, NIGERIA. BY OLAYIWOLA ADEKUNLE BAMIJ.