UNPRAISED HEROES OF IGBOGILA

Igbo-Igi-Nla (Big Forest of Trees) which was later transformed to Igbo-Igi Ola (Forest of Wealthy Trees) is one of the earliest settlements in today’s Yewa North Local Government of Ogun state, Nigeria. Even during precolonial era, Igbogila took its rightful place among the foremost towns. Unlike other settlements, the forefathers of Igbogila had an enviable foresight and took interest in Western Education which prompted the establishment of Egbado High School now, Yewa Secondary School Igbogila as far back as 1956.

Olu of Igbogila, Oba Ebenezer Osingade Olanloye

However, Igbogila like other towns in Yewa land had her own share of misfortune and suffered a setback that relegated her earlier developmental strides due to internal rancor and lack of purposeful leadership. The incident of division among her people most especially, the leadership was responsible for her backwardness among the surrounded villages and towns. It was an experience any Igbogila Sons and Daughters won’t pray for.

Taking the memory lane to the year 2000, after so many legal battles, Igbogila rediscovered her lost path by enthroning Oba Ebenezer Osungade Olanloye though as Baale and later an Oba to reign over Igbogila indigenes home and abroad. The celebration was without bound and the joy of every Igbogila indigene was overwhelming for a town that was without leadership for many years. It is needed to mention that many well-meaning Sons and Daughters of Igbogila made such feat possible. Among those who took the leading role is Chief Akinlolu Ajibade, The Basorun of Igbogila land.

Kabiyesi, Oba Ebenezer Osingade Olanloye rose above every pettiness to ensure the entire town was united by extending the hand of friendship to other parties who felt differently about his enthronement, noting that the interest and development of Igbogila should be paramount than who became the King. History will be kind to him that he is not a detribalized king but a FATHER OF ALL.

Olu of Igbogila was assisted by the Igbogila-in-Council to administer the town and Basorun, whose position is synonymous to the Prime Minister assisted the King to set up worthy, visionary and responsible members of Igbogila-in-Council to take the town into the present Eldorado. Among these Chiefs were: Chief Adams Ajibade (The Jagunna) Barrister Semiu Bammeke (The Elemo), Asiwaju Dele Asipa (Asiwaju Odo) and many others.

With the approval of the Kabiyesi and visionary Prime Minister like Basorun Akinlolu Ajibade, Many Court cases instigated against Igbogila were won. Gradually, the town of Igbogila started experiencing growth and development in all sides. The town started gaining recognition within and outside Ogun state. Some lost villages like Abule Balogun, Abule Imasai, etc. were recovered. Social amenities have been on the rise as no government, whether past or present will want to take Igbogila for granted. Many multinational companies have identified interest to invest in Igbogila, having discovered large quantity of Limestone in the town. Among them are E-Block Plc, Diamond Cement Plc, BUA Cement Plc etc. Some people made this happen and if they are not praised for doing so, they should not be condemned. If not for the bureaucratic nature of Government, production ought to have commenced by one or two of these interested companies and that would have provided thousands of jobs to all and sundry.

In the saying of the Elders, ‘Ikan parapo, ikan mo’le…’ (Termites came together and built house). This literally means that; only when people are united, they can achieve the unimaginable. Igbogila belongs to us all, no one should allow himself to be used as an instrument of division. In humans’ relationship among one another, conflict is inevitable but how it is handled determines who we are as a people. Cutting off the head can never be an antidote for headache. No one is a saint but some are saner than the others. If one is looking for an Angel, one needs to get to Heaven. Those who stood when it mattered most and have served the town selflessly needs to be commended not to be condemned.

 

Written by Olusola Ojekunle on the 31st January 2023

olusolaojekunle@gmail.com

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