Ijebu-Ife is one of the ancient towns in Ijebu.History of this town has been scanty because it was ritually decreed, in earlier times of its founding, that the history of the town must not be told. In this regards, i will not go into details about how this great community was founded.
CITY OF REFUGE
"From antiquity till the second half of the last century,Ijebu-Ife was inviolable as a sanctuary for anybody,irrespective of his status or crime.As long as the person in flight from danger or justice remained in Ijebu-Ife,his assailants could not touch him.
A salient example was that of Balogun Kuku of Ijebu-Ode, who fled from his adversaries in Ibadanin 1881and finally to Ijebu-Ife in 1891,when his life and property became endangered byIjebu residents at Ibadan.
He remained at Ijebu-Ife before retuning to Ijebu-Ode in May1892,following the crushing defeat of the combine Ijebu warriors by the British-led IJEBU expeditionary Force"( Excerpt from: Sojourn:Emeritus Professor V.A. Oyenuga's Biography ny Adebayo Adesoye)
PRESENT DAY IJEBU-IFE
According to Oba Adesesan Afolorunso Oguntayo FCA , who is the 42nd Ajalorun of Ijebu-Ife. he said: "Awujale is the Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland. He is a great King. In Nigeria, he is the longest reigning Oba. He ascended the throne at an early age. He has experience.
Fortunately in History, the Awujale and Ajalorun were the prominent Obas, when the British came in 1892, there were 5 major kings in Ijebuland then. They were called 5 Obas (Oba Marun) in those days. Awujale was No 1. Akarigbo was No 2. Ajalorun was there. Olowu and Dagburewe. Those were the Oba Maruns. And there were records that Ajalorun should be next in rank to Awujale. In 1937, when Remo was carved out of Ijebuland, Remo became its own division. There was a judicial report that made Remo to be carved out of Ijebuland and they were called Remoland. So the remaining Ijebus are together.
So the Ajalorun is expected to be the next in rank to Awujale. There are records. There are gazettes. There are decisions in the traditional council to support this but for one reason or the other, the government is not looking into this question of seniority. That is why I want to put Ajalorun back to its proper position. As I said, from 5 traditional kings, there are over fifty something kings now, and we are all Part 2 Obas. This was established during the reign of Governor Daniel. We are all been taken as if we are all the same. We are not. Of recent some Obas were made first class, but you don’t promote Obaship. Obaship is traditional. People who know our tradition know who is who.
As far as Ajalorun is concerned, Ajalorun traditionally, and Awujale, from oral history and even from Intelligence report, are both children of Oduduwa of different mothers because we in Ijebu-Ife are the Ife in Ijebu. We used to say Ife-Ijebu. We came directly from Ife. We didn’t come with the entourage of Awujale.
According to the history handed over to us from our greatfathers, we got here in 1450. That is the 1st Ajalorun and I am now the 42nd Ajalorun on the throne. From intelligence report and oral history, we understand that Obanta to who left Ile-Ife looking for Oluwa got to Ijebu-Ode in 1470.
But all these histories have been turned around. Nobody knows which is the true story or the true position. So far so good, Ajalorun is one of the paramount members of the state council of Obas and also member Ijebu traditional council. And so whether we like it or or not under the leadership of the Awujale, Ajalorun and Awujale must work together and be at peace. That is the way I see it."~~Oba Adesesan Afolorunso Oguntayo
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