Yayi steals show at 2017 Oronna festival

The Senator representing Lagos West in the National Assembly who is also gubernatorial hopeful in Ogun State, Senator Adeola Olamilekan popularly known as Yayi became cynosure of all eyes at this year celebration of 2017 Oronna festival which tagged as "Festival of Harmony" held on Saturday in Ilaro, Yewa South of Ogun State.

The grand finale of 7 day Oronna festival was colourful, as Ogun State delegation were ably led by the Secretary to the State government, Barr. Taiwo Adeoluwa. The Speaker of Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon. Suraju Adekunbi, Prince Gboyega Nosiru Isiaka, Ogun Central APC Chairman, Hon. Kunle Adesina, Hon. Fola Salami and a host of important personalities, included the  Yewa Chiefs, Sons and daughters were virtually Present at the occasion.

The Paramount ruler of Yewaland, HRH Oba Kehinde Olugbenle specially recognized Senator Adeola.

"I want to specially appreciate my own son, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola YAYI for his tremendous contributions to the growth and development of his town and Yewaland as a whole."  The Chairman of Ogun State traditional council said.

Supporters of Senator Adeola dominated the occasion where the Gospel juju musician, Abel Dosunmu Mega 99 was on stage to entertain people. 

PapaLanto: The history of a town!

PapaLanto: The history of a town!

By PIA

There was a woman, a popular food-seller, Olaito who married to a great hunter and farmer, Adeitan. Adeitan is an Owu man who relocated to a forest which is today called Papalanto.

Why is the town named Papalanto?

You will read it in my blog.

 Do you also know or remember this song?

Ogun melo re toju rẹ ja? Ogun Adubi soju mi ja.

Iya rẹ nke lọ bi ewurẹ
Baba rẹ nke lọ bi aparo
Iwọ na n bẹ lọ bi igala
Omi ireke l’ẹ n bu s'ebẹ
L’ẹ n bu S'e bẹ l’ẹtun fi n r’ọmọ.

Papalanto is paramount in the history of Egbas. Many of 30,000 Egba soldiers who fought European warlords during Adubi war could not have survived without the Sugarcane cultivation of PapaLanto. There was no water to drink but Egbas used extracted water from Sugarcane to cook and drink. 

The great hunter and farmer, Adeitan founded Papa in the 18th century. Ifa Oracle directed Adeitan to leave Owu community in Abeokuta, he followed and listened to the divine voice. He stayed at exactly in the place today called Papa ti Olaito.

Adeitan and his wife, Olaito, resettled in this bush for years without anybody or relatives. While Adeitan was hunting, his wife, Laito specialized in selling different dishes with the assorted bush meat from the animals killed by his husband. Laito's place suddenly became Mecca where the travellers and all kind of people used to have stop over to eat and relax.

Occasionally, they would meet the great hunter, Adeitan whom many of them wished and admired to meet. There were no animal that Adeitan could not kill. He was famous hunter.

Later, the man known as Famuyiwa Adegoyinbo joined them. Famuyiwa was adopted as their Son because both Adeitan and Laito could not give birth to any child. One day, Adeitan and Olaito disappeared to unknown destination, and nobody could trace or locate them till today.

Before their disappearance, people had started living with them.

Famuyiwa who inherited Adeitan's belongings, and  other people named the village as Papa Olaito. It was formerly called Oju oja.

PapaLanto is known for cultivation of Sugar cane. Ireke Papa. Sugar cane has been cultivated in this area since the days of Adeitan and his wife.

Dr. Orlando Owoh : 9 years remembrance today!

Dr. Orlando Owoh : 9 years remembrance today!

Wherever Orlando Owoh went for boxing competitions, King Sunny Ade was the manager of his boxing kits.

You guess right, the same Juju musician, Sunday Adeniyi. Orlando was also good boxer that everybody wished to associate with.

Though, Orlando Owoh could not go beyond Standard 6 education but he travelled round the World, he
received honorary degrees and awards from many higher institutions of learning which included the University of London and got offers from foreign labels.

Three of Orlando' sons, Orimipe, his first Son, Daisi and Kunle Orlando Owoh who inherited Kenneries band are also Musicians, they are all based in America. Kunle is always on ground to play in Nigeria.

Orlando was the only musician in Juju History who could enter music studio to record without rehearsal. What he would only need was to take his Igbo. He was the only musician whom late Fela Anikulapo-Kuti allowed to sing in his African Shrine in Lagos.

Orlando waxed his records for Hausas (Allah LA tuba...), he remembered the Nigerian famous footballer, Samuel Okparaji who died in Lagos during Nigeria qualifying match ("NFA, Nigeria Football Association, I sympathize for the death of Okparaji, You come from Europe to represent your father's land, destination can be changed but destiny can never be changed")

Dr. Stephen Oladipo Olaore OWOmoyela popularly known as Orlando Owoh was born in Osogbo, Osun State on 14th of February, 1932.

His Father, Jeremiah hailed from Ifon in Ose, while his mother, Morenike was from Owo in Ondo State.

Orlando joined the carpentry and Construction business of his father after his Standard 6 Education. But his mind was not on the job, he had to relocate to Ilesha and Ibadan from Oshogbo. He was hired by Kola Ogunmola Theatre Group in 1958 to play drums and sing because of special music talents.

Two years later, Dr. Orlando Owoh formed his Omimah Band, later turned it into 'Young Kenneries' and 'the African Kenneries International'. Dr. Orlando Owoh was popular Juju musician, band leader in Nigeria.

He had over 45 albums to his credit which were mostly produced by Decca Records (Afrodisia records), Electromat records and Shanu-Olu records. Among them were ; Ajanaku Daraba, Apartheid, Asotito Aye, Awa de, Ayo mi sese bere, Cain ati Abel, Easter special, E ku iroju, Emi wa wa lowo re, Experience, Ganja I, Ganja II, Ibaje eniyan, Igba aye Noah, Ire loni, I say No, Iwa l'Oluwa nwo, Iyawo Olele, Jeka sise, Kangaroo, Kennery de ijo ya, Kose mani, Late Dele Giwa, Logba Logba, Ma wo mi roro, Message, Mo juba agba, Money 4 hand back 4 ground, Oriki Ojo, Orin titun, Thanksgiving, Which is which. E get as e be.

His wives included; Muyibat, Folashade and Funke.

Dr. Orlando Owoh died on the 4th of November, 2008 at Ikeja General Hospital, Lagos and was laid to rest at his Agege residence in Lagos against his wish. As his manager, Samuel Olayiwola a.k.a Musese (E ba mi ki Musese, Owoh Nile Oni Musese...in Orlando record) said Orlando wanted the family to bury him in his Ifon residence but his wives rejected the idea.

Sons, Daughters, Others gather to celebrate Obalaju Day in Yewaland

Sons, Daughters, Others gather to celebrate Obalaju Day in Yewaland

It was joyful mood as the Sons, daughters, the well-wishers and the invited guests gathered on Saturday at Joga-Orile in Yewa North Local government to celebrate 2017 Obalaju Day celebration.

Top of the programmes was the N50m endowment and appeal fund raising towards the building of the Ultra-modern Palace of Abepa of joga-land.

The Senator representing Lagos West, Senator Olamilekan Adeola who was the Chairman  of the occasion was ably represented by the delegations led by Ogun central All Progressives Congress Chairman, Hon. Adekunle Adeshina,  Former ogun commissioner for local government and chieftaincy  affairs, Aare Tunde Alabi, Hon Fola Salami, Hon. Abiola, Hon Tairu Jimoh, Hon Adebowale Sunday. Hon. Biola Akinsunbo, Chief SMA Akinyemi and others.

Senator Adeola and others donated cash for the fund raising of the ongoing construction of ultra modern Palace.

There was exhibition of cultural display by Joga people.

His Royal Highness, Abepa of Joga-Orile, Oba (Dr.) Adeyemi Olanrewaju Adekeye, JP,  Chairman, Obalaju day planing committee who is also Jagunmolu of Joga-Orile, Chief Akande Omoniyi, Chief Olu Agemo and the Secretary of the planning committee,  Aare Taiwo Ayokanmbi thanked all the donors of the occasion.

Omo obalaju o r'ogunja, o ja 'gboro logun. Aseyi samodun o.

Abẹokuta: The real home of Adirẹ tie-dyed clothes

Abẹokuta: The real home of Adirẹ tie-dyed clothes

The technological scenario in which the China based clothes manufacturers had partly succeeded in taking over the mass production of Egba traditional way of clothing people has necessitated for the proper documentation of the history and genesis of Abẹokuta's Adire/Kampala clothes.

The Editor of Encyclopedia of Clothing and fashion who is also the Director of Fashion institute of Technology (FIT), State University of New York museum, in United States, Dr. Valerie Steele and Fashion and clothing expert, Angela Sancartier, traced the origin of Adire tied and dyed clothes to Abẹokuta, the State capital of Ogun State, South-west of Nigeria.

Angela ascertained that “As a distinctive textile type, adire first appeared in the city of Abẹokuta, a centre for cotton production, weaving, and indigo-dyeing in the nineteenth century. The prototype was tie-dyed kijipa, a handwoven cloth dyed with indigo for use as wrappers and covering cloths. Female specialists dyed yarns and cloth and also recycled faded clothing by re-dyeing the cloth with tie-dyed patterns.”

Adirẹ is being made by tying and stitching with raffia, Aako or cotton thread, Owu or by using fowl feathers to dab painted cassava paste on the cloth. 

The British manufacturing firms introduced cheap, durable and imported clothes, and stormed the market with colorful, flamboyant and inexpensive printed textiles, the adire producers emerged to meet the modern challenge. 

The local women realised that the imported white cotton materials already manufactured with sophisticated technology was cheaper than handwoven cloth and could be decorated and dyed to meet local tastes, needs and demands. This virtually replaced the rough edged, woolen and old Kijipa cloth.

In 1920, Senegalese and Gambians merchants used to come to Abẹokuta to buy as many as 2,000 wrappers in one day from the female traders at Itoku Kemta (According to Byfield 2002, Page. 114).

A female expatriate, Betty Okuboyejo who once lived in Abẹokuta, is credited with introducing high-quality adire-inspired cloth using a full range of commercial color-fast dyes to expatriates and Nigerian elites (Eicher 1976,  Page. 76).

Betty Okuboyejo devoted most of her life time on development of Tie-dyed clothes in Egbaland. 

Infact, She sadly posted on facebook timelune Okuboyejo that most of the Old Adirẹ clothes were no more produced again in Abeokuta.

           Picture of Old tie-dyed clothes from Betty Okuboyejo.

From old and local methods of using house painting dye, raffia, to maize or cassava powder, and fowl feathers to the replacement with special candles, multi-coloured dyes, starch and quality textile materials had made the production of Adire very easy. Yet, the production still not much large, but remained locally produced in Abeokuta. Some traders from towns like Ibadan, Oshogbo and others are also produced Adire. 

Adirẹ is the main job of Kemta, Sodẹkẹ and Itoku people in Abeokuta. It could be Adire Eleko, Adire Oniko, Adire batik and others.

Adirẹ oniko is wrapped or tied with raffia, Ako to resist the dye from reaching some parts of the clothes used.  Adirẹ ẹlẹkọ has starchy maize or cassava watery paste painted onto the surface of the cloth as the resisting agent. Adirẹ Alabẹrẹ is the method of stitching the cloth with thread before dying it.  Adirẹ onibatani is made with the aid of zinc stencils to control the application of the resisting starch.

As Alake of Egbaland celebrates 74 years tomorrow

As Alake of Egbaland celebrates 74 years tomorrow

After the demise of His Royal Highness, Ọba Samuel Oyebade Adeluọla Ishọla Mofọlọrunshọ Lipẹde, Ọmọ Erinjogunọla, Ara Erunwọn, Ọkọ Alhaja Wosilat on the 3rd of February, 2005 - after he spent 33 years on the throne at the age of 90 years - Ọba Micheal Adedọtun Arẹmu Gbadebọ from Laarun Ruling House emerged six month later as the 10th Alake of Egbaland as he scored 15 out of 23 votes in a transparent election conducted by the Afọbajẹs, the King-makers. He defeated 10 contenders who had applied for the Obaship with the Application letters and Curriculum vitaé included his younger brother, Adeleke Gbadebọ.

The then Ogun State governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel wrote a letter after 21 days to confirm Ọba Micheal Adedọtun Arẹmu Gbadebọ as Alake of Egbaland.

Unlike his grandfather, the 6th Alake who married 24 wives and his father who married 3 wives, Alake Ẹgba, Ọba Adedọtun Arẹmu Gbadebọ married only Dr. Tokunbo Gbadebọ, the daughter of the famous publisher and Yoruba author, Joseph Fọlọrunshọ Ọdunjọ, J.F. Odunjọ popularly known as Alawiye.

Ọba Adedọtun Gbadebọ was born on the 14th of September, 1943. He attended St. Augustine’s Roman Catholic Mission (RCM) School, Itẹsi, Abeokuta in 1949. He also attended  Baptist Boys’ High School (BBHS), Oke-Ekunya, Abeokuta in 1957. He did his Higher School Certificate course at the Ibadan Grammar School, Ibadan, Oyo state, and proceeded to University of Ibadan in 1965 to obtain Bachelor of Arts degree in 1969.

He joined the Nigerian army in 1969, and attended the Command and Staff College, Jaji in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State,
from September, 1978 to August 1979.

Ọkọ Tokunbọ, Tokunbo's husband became a Principal Staff Officer to the Chief of Staff,
Major-General Abdul-Baki Tunde Idiagbon at the Supreme Military Headquarters, Dodan Barracks, Lagos State from January 1984 to September 1985. He retired from the Nigerian army as a Colonel together with General Muhammadu Buhari and Tunde Idiagbon. Muhammadu Buhari was number one on the list of those Soldiers retired then by the military government, Tunde Idiagbon was number two, Magoro, number three while Ọba Adedọtun Gbadebọ was number 14 on that retirement list.

Ọba Adedọtun Gbadebọ has been on the throne as the 30th but 10th Alake of Egbaland that reigned since August 2nd, 2005.

As Alake of Egbaland celebrates 74 years tomorrow

As Alake of Egbaland celebrates 74 years tomorrow

After the demise of His Royal Highness, Ọba Samuel Oyebade Adeluọla Ishọla Mofọlọrunshọ Lipẹde, Ọmọ Erinjogunọla, Ara Erunwọn, Ọkọ Alhaja Wosilat on the 3rd of February, 2005 - after he spent 33 years on the throne at the age of 90 years - Ọba Micheal Adedọtun Arẹmu Gbadebọ from Laarun Ruling House emerged six month later as the 10th Alake of Egbaland as he scored 15 out of 23 votes in a transparent election conducted by the Afọbajẹs, the King-makers. He defeated 10 contenders who had applied for the Obaship with the Application letters and Curriculum vitaé included his younger brother, Adeleke Gbadebọ. 

The then Ogun State governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel wrote a letter after 21 days to confirm Ọba Micheal Adedọtun Arẹmu Gbadebọ as Alake of Egbaland.

Unlike his grandfather, the 6th Alake who married 24 wives and his father who married 3 wives, Alake Ẹgba, Ọba Adedọtun Arẹmu Gbadebọ married only Dr. Tokunbo Gbadebọ, the daughter of the famous publisher and Yoruba author, Joseph Fọlọrunshọ Ọdunjọ, J.F. Odunjọ popularly known as Alawiye.

Ọba Adedọtun Gbadebọ was born on the 14th of September, 1943. He attended St. Augustine’s Roman Catholic Mission (RCM) School, Itẹsi, Abeokuta in 1949. He also attended  Baptist Boys’ High School (BBHS), Oke-Ekunya, Abeokuta in 1957. He did his Higher School Certificate course at the Ibadan Grammar School, Ibadan, Oyo state, and proceeded to University of Ibadan in 1965 to obtain Bachelor of Arts degree in 1969.

He joined the Nigerian army in 1969, and attended the Command and Staff College, Jaji in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State,
from September, 1978 to August 1979.

Ọkọ Tokunbọ, Tokunbo's husband became a Principal Staff Officer to the Chief of Staff,
Major-General Abdul-Baki Tunde Idiagbon at the Supreme Military Headquarters, Dodan Barracks, Lagos State from January 1984 to September 1985. He retired from the Nigerian army as a Colonel together with General Muhammadu Buhari and Tunde Idiagbon. Muhammadu Buhari was number one on the list of those Soldiers retired then by the military government, Tunde Idiagbon was number two, Magoro, number three while Ọba Adedọtun Gbadebọ was number 14 on that retirement list.

Ọba Adedọtun Gbadebọ has been on the throne as the 30th but 10th Alake of Egbaland that reigned since August 2nd, 2005.

Beautiful pictures @ 2017 Ojude Oba Ijebuland festival

2017 edition of Ojude Oba festival is presently being celebrated at Awujale pavilion in Ijebu ode palace, Ogun State.

The health condition of 83 years old  Awujale, Oba Sikiru Adetona could not permit him to stand up for the national anthem when the programme started today while Governor Amosun and others stood up.

Governor Ibikunle Amosun, Ladi Adebutu, Otunba Subomi Balogun, and others were among who graced the glo sponsored festival. Awujale cautioned Musiliu Haruna Ishola when he was carried away with political songs for politicians.

Check the beautiful pictures.

Pictures @ 2017 Ariya Odun inside Alake palace

Ariya Odun has been celebrated since 13 years ago every year at Oba Alake palace, Ake. This year edition was also celebrated at Ake palace, the second day of Eid el Kabir, Ileya festival, September 2nd, 2017. All the Muslims and chiefs in Egbaland converged at Ake palace with the governor of Ogun state, Governor Ibikunle Amosun.

Check some of the pictures taken:

Natural cure and regulating medicine for Hypertension

*Normal blood pressure reads as 120 over 80 mm of mercury mmHg, while high blood pressure is higher than 140 over 90 mmHg.

Uncontrolled and unmanaged high blood pressure can lead to a stroke, heart attack, heart disease, kidney problem and other problems.

Get ginger (Ata ile) and garlic (Alubosa Ayu) removes the peel. Slice the two and soak it in a bottle or plastic with lime water (Omi osan wewe), then add original honey. Leave it for two days. Take two adult spoons three times daily.

Meet First Nigerian gospel singer who composed Ẹgba Anthem

Many people know the Ẹgba Anthem, (Lori Oke, o'un Pẹtẹlẹ....) Ipso facto, they do not know who composed the song.

He was among the first Christians in Egbaland and the first Christian in the Ransome-Kuti family when the British missionaries converted them from traditional religion worshippers to Christians. He was a clergyman, teacher and music composer.

His name was Josiah Jesse Ransome - Kuti, the grandfather of the great musician, Fela Anikulapo Kuti.

Jesse was born on the 1st of June, 1855 in Igbein, Abeokuta. He went to Church Missionary Society Training Institution, Abeokuta and the Church Missionary Society Training Institute, Lagos in 1871.

Josiah became a teacher at St. Peter's School, Ake, Abeokuta, he later left to become music teacher at the Church Missionary Society Girls School, Lagos in 1879, the place he met his wife Bertha Anny Erinade Olubi.

  J.J as he was fondly called was made catechist at the Gbagura Church Parsonage, Abeokuta In 1891.

He was a deacon in 1895, ordained as a priest in 1897 and was later appointed district judge from 1902 to 1906. Josiah was appointed pastor of St. Peter's Cathedral Church, Ake 1911. He became canon of the Cathedral Church of Christ, Lagos in 1922.

He composed Egba Anthem:

Lori oke o'un pẹtẹlẹ,

Ibẹ l'agbe bi mi o,

Ibẹ l'agbe tọ mi d'agba oo Ilẹ ominira

Chorus: Maa yọ, maa yọ, maa yọ o l'Ori Olumọ,
Maa yọ, maa yọ, maa yọo, l'ori Olumọ,

Abẹokuta ilu Egba n ko ni gbagbe e rẹ,
N o gbe  ọ l'eke ọkan mi bii ilu odo ọya,
Emi o f'Abẹokuta s'ogo N o duro l'ori Olumọ,
Maayọ l'orukọ Egba ooo Emi omọọ Lisabi.

*Chorus: Maa yọ, maa yọ, maa yọ o l'Ori Olumọ,
Maa yọ, maa yọ, maa yọo, l'Ori Olumọ,

Emi o maayọ l'ori Olumọ,
Emi o s'ogoo yi l'ọkan mi Wipe ilu olokiki o L'awa Ẹgba n gbe

*Chorus: Maa yọ, maa yọ, maa yọ o l'Ori Olumọ,
Maa yọ, maa yọ, maa yọo, l'Ori Olumọ,

    * Reverend J.J died on the 4th of September, 1930.

Ẹgba favourite Dishes: Amala Lafun and Ooyọ(Ewedu)

Every town has its own special,  delicious and favourite foods. Ijẹbu people love Ikọkọrẹ, Ifọkọrẹ or Ebiripo. For Calabar people, it is Edikaikong with Stock fishes, Okporoko and Fufu, Hausas love Tuwo shinkafa, Ẹgba's favourite food is Amala Lafun with Ewedu or Ooyọ.

"To ba jẹ ọmọ Ẹgba to o mọ Lafun jẹ, o ya su ẹ gbẹ, su ẹ gbẹ l'ojẹ." - Ebenezer Obey' song.

To enjoy your Ewedu or 'Ooyọ' soup, you must firstly allow your dry fish (after you might have removed the tiny bones from the fishes.) to soak well in water you want to use to cook Ewedu or Ooyọ soup. It is dry fish which is called Ẹja Palamu or Ẹja ebolo. 

(O maa daa omi Ooyọ yẹn ni si ori INA).

You will then add little or pinch of potash or Kan-un into the water. The hot water must give you a kind taste of flavour before you can pour Ewedu leaves into it.

You will allow the leaves to boil and soften, add ground melon (Egusi), Locust beans, and salt then use ijabẹ to soften or grate Ewedu. It is ready after some minutes.

How to prepare Amala Lafun or Amala funfun

Put a cup of water in a pot and allow the water to boil for some minutes.

Bring down the pot of hot water and add the lafun or cassava powdered flour. 

Use turner stick or igi Ọmọrogun to turn the flour inside the pot, allow it to be thick and smooth.

Use Igbakọ or spoon to put it on your dish or plate.

Then serve hot Amala lafun with Ewedu or Ooyọ and omi ọbẹ.

Very delicious...... Prepare it today! Ewedu is very good for your liver, it also cure typhoid fever.

The day Fela Ransome-Kuti, Professor Wole Soyinka mothers removed Alake Of Egbaland on the throne

During the Colonial administration in 1918, Governor-General, Fredrick Lugard had introduced direct taxation system, he created grassroot form of governance which was similitude to the present Local government administration in Nigeria, but it is being called the Sole Native Authority. British used it as a form of indirect rule which the traditional rulers, Kings acted as agents for the colonial government.

The then Alake of Egbaland, His Royal Highness, Oba Samuel Ladapo Ademola headed Egba native Authority with the Admistrative office at Ake palace.

The agents of the King and the policemen were using all forms of violence, insults and harrassment to collect taxes levelled by the British government, this act did not go down well with Egba women who had no female representative in the Sole native Authority.

The women led Mrs. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti and Alake' sister in law who was the mother of Professor Wole Soyinka, Mrs. Eniola Soyinka opposed the taxes and kicked against the method of collecting the taxes as unfair and crude ways.

Mrs. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti was the first female student who was admitted into Abeokuta Grammar School, the school was then located directly opposite her family house at Isale-Igbein in Abeokuta.  She also went to England for further studies. After, She returned to become a teacher and activist in Nigeria.

She married the Reverend Israel Oludotun Ransome-Kuti on the January 20, 1925. Revd. Oludotun was one of the founders of both the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Nigerian Union of Students, now called, National Association of Nigerians Students (NANS). Their marriage was blessed with four children, Olikoye, Beko, Fela and Dolapo.

Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti formed Abeokuta Ladies Club in 1923, the group was made up of educated Young ladies and women. They used to meet at Igbein area of Abeokuta.

In 1943 to 1946, the Abeokuta Ladies Club extended the membership to market women who had suffered in the hands of tax collectors, the policemen. They renamed the group as Abeokuta Women's Union (AWU).

The information had it that Alake of Egbaland was diverting seized bags of rice from the market women to his personal stores, selling it and pocketing the money. This offence Coupled with the heavy burden of the unbearable taxes and non-representation of women in governance forced the Egba women to unite against Alake of Egbaland and Colonial government that sidelined them. Women rejected government price control on goods, they opposed the taxes levelled against them. They staged protests and organised press conferences on reckless policies.

Instead of Alake to reduce the taxes, he increased the tax rate for women towards the end of 1946. This sparked off the daily and non-stop protests. Alake ignored all the pleas, and pretended he did not see protest, Press conferences and press releases by the women in the newspapers in Abeokuta and Lagos.

In 1947, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti failed to pay her taxes and was arrested by the Police. She was charged to Court in Ake.
she pleaded “not guilty”, Ẹjọ Ku s'Ake.....the case ended.

The first overwhelmed protest was held on November 29 and 30, 1947 which thousands of women took part at Ake palace and its environs. Many women were arrested, jailed and later released.

On the first week of January 1948, Funmilayo Ransome- Kuti was banned from entering Alake palace for insulting the Alake and the British administration supported the ban. The government used the opportunity of the ban and invited the executive members of Abeokuta women's Union for meetings with exclusion of their President, Funmilayo Kuti. They all refused to attend any meeting, even called by the British government.

The women went back to the streets again, they were more determined to remove Alake. They planned to be naked which was a taboo.

By June, Alake decided to go for holidays in Jo's, Plateau. He constituted Special committee on investigation and complaints of women. Alake also abolished the taxes but women were no longer interested in his administration.

The British government intervened in the crisis. They made promises to the women that the taxes would be suspended in the next three days. When the women noticed and observed that it was fake promises, they returned to the streets and marched to the Alake palace with over 10,000 women.

They started the protest on the 8th of December and demanded for the release of the arrested women and by the 10th the detained women were freed.

Egba women continued their protests, they called for the removal of Alake of Egbaland. The protest became unbearable for the government.

On the 3rd of January, 1949, the King abdicated the throne and went into exile. He was in exile for one year until everything was calm. When he came back, he did not make any law against the women.

Egba crowns, the types and taboos

There are two crowns in Yorubaland; all the seven children of Oduduwa have the crowns including Alake.

First is Ade isembaye (The ancient official crown), the second  korimagbofo (Ordinary crown). Ade Isembaye is being used to crown and installed the king while  a King can use Ade Korimagbofo to attend any occasion and ceremony.

This is one of the Ade isembaye in Owu Kingdom, Abeokuta

It is being called Ade (crown) because the king must not see inside of the crown. It is taboo for a king to see the hole inside the crown.

How first Church in Nigeria was built in Abeokuta by Desalu, Others

When British Reverend, Henry Townsend came to Abeokuta via Agbadarigi (now Badagry) route from England in 1842, he was received by an Egba warrior, Chief Sodeke, there was nobody to interprete English Language to Yoruba language for the Egbas except a Teacher, Catechist and Evangelist, Andrew Desalu Wilhelm who had been educated by the British.

Andrew Desalu Wilhelm was an Egba man who was captured with many others as slaves by British Colonial masters. He was later freed but re-settled in Sierra Leone. Desalu was an evangelist and catechist who preached the Christianity gospel across the dusty streets of the Egba ancient city.

It was reported that he was born in 1820 but died in 1866. He was rally point for all freed slaves who came to Abeokuta as he built missionary quarter named as Wasinmi (Come and rest) in Ake, Abeokuta. They all lived in the quarter which gave the area the name till today, WA SIN MI...WASINMI!

Henry Townsend returned to England for Church ordination, Andrew Desalu Wilhelm stayed and served as a catechist and Evangelist till 1846 when Townsend came back.

Andrew Desalu erected a shed for Christian worship and church service at Ake, the foundation of the  present Cathedral of church of Saint Peter, Ake was also laid by him in 1846, four years after he started the Gospel. The church was completed after his death, 52 years after the foundation had been laid, exactly on 6th of September, 1898.

Picture of the 18th century Bible

It is the first Church in Abeokuta, Ogun state, South west and Nigeria.

Akindele Gbalefa, Owu warrior who led Egba soldiers against Aworis and Dahomeans

It was Olufakun who led Owu people to settle in Egbaland after the fight at Apomu market near Orile Owu in Osun State. Owus are not Egbas, They also scattered and settled everywhere in Yorubaland.

History had it that there were two major wars on the Egbas by the Dahomeans. The first attack was on Monday, March 3, 1851 when king Ghezo with Dahomean army, about 15,000 warriors attacked Egbas. The Owu and Egba warriors defended Abeokuta towns within and outskirts of the city and won the battle.

Unsatisfied with Dahomeans defeat,
King Ghezo' son and his  successor, Glele planned to attack Egbas in 1863, so as to avenge the defeat.
Egba and Owu joint army intelligence quickly foretold and leaked the planned attack.  The Egba soldiers led by Owu warrior, Akindele Gbalefa laid ambush for the Dahomeans on the outskirts of Abeokuta, Lagos - Abeokuta boundary now called Gbalefa Peninsula.

Ajẹku Iya ni o jẹ....ẹni ti ko to ni na to ndena deni.....

The Dahomean soldiers moved en masse towards Abeokuta, they were bombarded by the Egba and Owu joint forces and defeated them in the battle. The Historians described the casualties which were estimated at over 5,000, as the worst in the history of West African warfare in the recent time. The Dahomeans were tremendously defeated by Owus and Egba soldiers, they were captured as slaves with their treasure.

Akindele Gbalefa led - Soldiers won Ilobi, Ado-Odo and Dahomey wars between 1836 to 1853 for Egbas. Egbas used to pass through Ado odo to Lagos so as to purchase weapons and ammunition, Ado people constituted blockages to Egbas while travelling to Lagos. They thereby took the offensive to the opponents. They defeated Ilobi, Yobo, Ado odo people in war which coincident with Dahomey war. Egbas took over the Ado odo land territory.

The picture: First Balogun of Owu, Chief Olufakun Olafimihan. 

Some documents revealed that the British Missionary, Henry Townsend was physically present at the ceremonial take-over of the territory the Owu Warrior and head of the Egba allied forces, Akindele Gbalefa.

The colonial government merged Ota and Gbalefa Peninsula under the Egba Native Administration in present day Ogun State In 1937.

Mystery of Itoku cenotaph!

The histories and records of founding of the Egbas are incomplete until the mention of some historical relics.

 To discuss Egba, without Olumo Rock may amount to disservice to history, hardly would an historian who deserves accolades would recount the evolution of the modern day Egba without homage to Lisabi, Agbongbo Akala, Sodeke and Others for been gallant warriors who led their people during one turbulent epoch or the others.  

The same phenomenon brought to bear the very epitaphic cenotaph of the greatest warriors of Egba land in the ITOKU CENOTAPH. 

Itoku Cenotaph was unveiled on Monday, 27th of October,1930 to immortalize the great warriors of Egbaland, who included Lisabi Agbongbo Akala, Sodeke and Others. Oba Ladapo Samuel Ademola also
known as Ademola II was the Alake of
Abeokuta who commissioned the Cenotaph In 1930. He reigned as Alake between 1920 to 1962.

Picture: *Itoku Cenotaph after the construction of the Over-head bridges*

Picture: *Itoku Cenotaph before the construction of the Over head bridges*

In 2013, when the present Ogun State government wanted to expand the Itoku market road with overhead bridges, I spent some days on researches as to know what would happen to the Itoku Cenotaph. I met some elderly people, particularly an old man who happened to be from ancestral home of Sodeke. It was the old man that made me to realize that Government could not remove the Cenotaph easily because of some things.  I lobbied my ways to win the man's heart, as he was reluctant to reveal some things to me. He eventually told me many things about the Itoku Cenotaph. He said in Egba dialect "Omo mi, Nję ori ri pe, ijamba moto sele, ki owa kolu Kin-ni yęn ri?" My son, Have you ever seen any accident that badly affected the Cenotaph? 

I replied the Old man, I said no sir, I haven't seen any. 

With many other things, i researched on, these led me into the convinved belief that Itoku Cenotaph is mysterious, as many accidents had occurred in the market on many occasions, where Trailers or trucks would crushed people and shops but such accident had never touch the Cenotaph. 

It was on the record that military administrators and Governors used to perform their Army remembrance days at the Cenotaph in 1970's before and when Ogun State was created.

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