Whenever you mention the town Ijebu-Igbo, some big names often come to mind. One, is that of late Alhaji Haruna Ishola alias Baba N’gani Agba. Another is that of late Senator Abraham Adesanya, politician and lawyer, who was until his death, the leader of Afenifere. There is also that of late Senator Buruji Kashamu who died a few years back.
There is also that of Alhaji Sakiru Olanrewaju Kassim-Shokas, whom King Sunday Ade waxed a song for a few years back titled Lanrewaju Kassim. He is the popular Ijebu-Igbo Lace manufacturer who built a White house in the ancient town.
Be the first to know that for the past 5 months now, the people of Ijebu-Igbo in Ogun State have been in a happy mood because the ancient town now has a new Orimolusi of Ijebu-Igbo.
On Wednesday, 23rd February, 2022, the coronation, installation and presentation of Staff of Office to His Royal Majesty, Alaiyeluwa, Oba Lawrence Jaiyeola Adebajo took place at the Abusi Edumare Academy, in Ijebu-Igbo.
Many people don’t know that for the past 27 years, this Ijebu town didn’t have a King. Now it has one. With his installation as Orimolusi, Oba Adebajo will be joining other Obas of the 5 Quarters that make up Ijebu-Igbo, namely: Oba Mufutau Yusuf (Sopenlukale of Oke Sopin), Oba Abdulrasheed Abayomi Banjo (Olokine of Ojowo), Oba Ibitoye Solaja (Keegbo of Atikori), Oba Stephen Adekoya (Bejeroku of Oke Agbo) and Oba Aderemi Adewale Ogunye (Abijaparako of Japara).
These traditional rulers are part of the indigenes of Ijebu-Igbo who are very popular and well known, both in the town and beyond. There are others like Senator Lekan Mustapha, the current Ogun-East Senator at the Senate. He has had a brilliant political career having been Senator twice.
There is also Senator Adegbenga Sefiu Kaka who is another popular indigene of Ijebu-Igbo. He is a seasoned and accomplished politician who rose through the ranks in politics of Ogun State to become the Deputy Governor of the state. He is the Baba Adinni of Ijebu-Igbo.
There are also others like Otunba Femi Dinah, an accomplished Lawyer who was the Chairman, Orimolusi Coronation Committee, Prof. Ayodele Francis Ogunye, the President of Congress of Ijebu-Igbo Community (CIC), Prof. Layi Ogunkoya, the pioneer Chairman, the Ijebu-Igbo Council of Elders, Prof. Ayo Ogunye as (Vice Chairman 1), Chief Ademola Okusanya (Vice Chairman 2), Alhaji Ayinde Fowosere (Treasurer), Prof. Mrs. Remi Adesemowo (Asst Financial Secretary), Mr. Adeniyi Adebayo (Assistant Secretary), Otunba Fatayo Olayinka Bolujo (Secretary), and Otunba Toyin Abass as PRO. At inauguration, the Ijebu-Igbo Council of Elders had 69 members.
There are other prominent indigenes like Chief Isamasta Ashiru, Chief Gbolade Osinowo, Chief Olanrewaju Kassim (Shokas Lace), Chief Okusanya, Dr. S. Shojobi, Chief Tunji Sosanya, Dr. Segun Adeboye, Chief S. Ade Okubanjo, Engr. E.S.A. Oluyemi, Dr. Adebayo Saint, Prince Omowale Kassim, Chief Adebayo Dayo, Chief C.A.O. Odusanya, Otunba Fatayo Olayinka Bolujo, Prince Saliu Adebisi Sadiku and Prince Atanda Adesemowo.
There are others like Dr. Bosun Tony Ogundipe, Otunba Ola Busari, Pastor Agbolade John, Barrister Gbenga Odugbesan, Alhaja Rahmat Oyenoga, Otunba Remi Ogunbanjo and Ambassador Babasola Adegbuyi Ogunwa.
There are other prominent Ijebu-Igbo indigenes like Mr. Olusegun Olusanya, Evangelist Wole Odusanya, Prof. Yinka Balogun, Barrister Adeniyi Lawal, Comrade Arowolo Adesanya, Hon. Yekeen Jaiyeola, Mr. Bolaji Odusanya, Mr. Ademola Adedeji, Prof. Yinka Balogun, Mr. Kola Balogun and Prof. B. Obigbesan. There are other indigenes of Ijebu-Igbo like Oladimeji Aderemi Adegbesan, Olusegun Adegbenga Osiba, Godwin Okide Adeneye Okuneye and Moshood Popoola Seriki.
Let’s tell you more. There are other prominent Ijebu-Igbo sons and daughters like Otunba Adebayo Ogunbanjo, Hon. Afolabi Afuwape (Commissioner for Local Govt. & Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Toyin Odueyungbo, Hon. Abiodun Sylvester (MHA, Ogun State), Hon. Femi Omotara, Sir Semoore Badejo, Jide Seund Fowode, Engr. Dayo Okuyemi, Prince Clement Adeoye, Engr. Biodun Oluyemi, Prince Stephen Ademola Gbadebo, High Chief Oladeinde Adesanya, very Rev. Ademola Adedayo, Alhaji Comrade Tajudeen Idowu Mabini, Alhaja Sariat Adeleye (Iya Loja), Chief Adebola Popoola (Baba Loja), Hassan Abiola Oyindamola, Alhaji Misbahudeen Shefiu, Mrs. Lydia Tade, Otunba Leke Kilo, Chief Ademola Olusanya, Prof. Titi Hassan, Amb. Adebayo Adeniyi Stephen, Chief Fatayo Olayinka Bolujo and Folake Ani-Mumuney.
Others include Otunba Wale Balogun, Chief Sunday Osifeso (De-Lord), Mrs. Tope Edun, Mr. Wale Ogunbanjo, Chief (Mrs.) Ibilola Solaja, Chief Fatayo Olayinka Bolujo, Mr. Demola Ogunbanjo, Mrs. Feyi Aina, Dr. (Mrs.) Wunmi Abimbola Okuneye, Otunba Olayinka Busari, Alhaji Gbenga Oluyemi, Alhaji Comrade Tajudeen Idowu Mabini, Jimoh Ayinde Mufutau, Chief Kassim Agbolade, Mr. Sola Ogunwa, Otunba Babatunde Ganiyu, Dr. (Mrs) Doyin Ogunsanya and Chief Abimbola Oduyemi.
There are others like Alhaji Prince Misbaudeen Shefiu Al-Ameerity, Adewale Olusanya Ogundipe-Thomas, Mrs. Seyi Taiwo Oguntuase, Mr. Adedayo Odulaja, Mr. Abiodun Olowofayoku, Mr. Gbenga Oluyemi, Arc Wale Adebayo, Chief Rotimi Yisau, Arc. Kola Erinle, Pastor Adebisi Ogundero, Otunba Adesanya Picadely, Prince Taiye Kassim Sodipe, High Chief Oladeinde Adesanya, Adewale Jaiyesinmi, (Liwo Oke Sopen) Chief Bisiriyu Jobiewe (Chief Ojowo), Kazeem Salau, (Liwo Atikori), Adetola Ogunade (Liwo-Oke Agbo), Mufu Oladipupo (Olurin-Japara), Ayinde Ifade Olooda (Apara), Amb. Adebayo Adeniyi Stephen, Comrade Wale Senbadejo, Hon. Olukunle Arole, Mr. Gbenga Adesanya, Mr. Adesanya Adeniji Gabriel and Dr. Oluwatoyin Mabekoja Oyesanya.
There others like Engr. Bayo Dayo, Prof. Layi Ogunkoya, Barrister Bola Kalejaiye (Dr. Syn), Alhaji Chief Mikail Rabiu, Chief Folorunso Ogunnaike, Otunba Hon. Olaide Osifeso, Hon. Femi Omotara, Prof. Yinka Balogun, Prince Segun Seriki, Prince Kola Balogun, Alhaji Kolawole Ibu Owo, Prof. Titi Hassan, Mr. Ademola Adedeji, Alhaji Kehinde Kassim (Chartered Accountant) and Chief Adeboye Olugboyega Badejo, (former ICAN President).
Now, let’s shock you.
Do you know that Globacom boss, Otunba Mike Adenuga is from Ijebu-Igbo? Yes, he is. Do you know that the great boardroom colossus, Oba Otudeko is from Ijebu-Igbo? We can confirm that. How about the Apala music star, Musiliu Haruna Ishola? He is from Ijebu-Igbo. His father is the late Haruna Ishola (Baba N’gani Agba).
How about Lady Jumlar, the Rice Queen in Lagos? Many don’t know she is from Ijebu-Igbo. Her real name is Chief Mrs. Ibilola Solaja (Jumlar).
Do you also know that former Minister, Dr. Akinwunmui Adesina, the Agriculture expert is an indigene of Ijebu-Igbo? How about the Paper Merchant, Laide Fowosire, whose proper name is Alhaji Sambakiu Olaide Fowosire? He is Nigeria’s No 1 Paper Merchant. He runs Nucleus Ventures Ltd at the Matori area of Lagos.
It is the same thing with Alhaji Ganiyu Fowosire popularly called Omo Gafo.
It won’t be arrogant to say that Ijebu-Igbo has produced very many brilliant indigenes who are Professors, Medical Doctors, Engineers and big businessmen. For instance, many don’t know that Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin, the former Minister of Health is from Ijebu-Igbo, So also former Health Commissioner during Gov. Amosun’s tenure in Ogun State, Dr. Babatunde Ipaye. He was also former Adviser to the National Malaria Control Programme, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health, Lagos-State. How about Dr. Bayo Banjo? He is from Ijebu Igbo, just like Prof. Olufemi Bamiro, the former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan and Late legal luminary, Chief Akinola Adaramaja (SAN).
Late Papa Abraham Adesanya’s daughter, Chief (Mrs.) Modupe Adelaja, the former Minister of State, Defence is from Ijebu-Igbo. There are others like Chief Bayo Dayo; the former State Chairman of P.D.P.; Prince Bayo Osiyemi, former Press Secretary to Alhaji Lateef Jakande; late Chief T.O. Kuti (Abusi Edumare), a pioneer Motor dealer in Ijebu- Igbo.
Late Chief Jide Osinubi (a.k.a Sokoyokoto) hailed from Ijebu-Igbo; late Chief Agbolade Badero, the Chairman and Chief Executive of Naira Pool Company Ltd; Prince Buruji Kashamu, the Chairman, Kasmal Group of Companies Ltd; late (Alhaji) Sikiru Ayinde Oluwo, CEO, Bagco Sack; Chief (Mrs) Derinsola Osoba; Chief Olusegun Olusanya (former Executive Director of Union Bank and Chairman of National Bank) are also from Ijebu-Igbo. Many will remember Prof. Ayo Banjo, the former Vice-Chancellor University of Ibadan and Prof. (Mrs) Elebute; They are both Ijebu- Igbo indigenes. Late (Oloye) Dotun Okubanjo, former Chairman, Intercontinental Distilleries and Ade Odunsi, Executive Director, Sahara Energy are from Ijebu-Igbo. How about Prof Wale Are Olaitan? He is an Ijebu-Igbo indigene, so also Prof. AdebowaleAdefuye (former Commonwealth Secretary-General and Nigeria Ambassador to the United States. Chief Yinka Odeseye, former Special Adviser to Gov. Gbenga Daniel on Forestry is also a proud Ijebu-Igbo indigene; We almost forgot to tell you about Batuli Alake, Wale Thompson’s late dad called Popular Jingolati Ijebu-Igbo, Jide Chord of London. Ijebu Igbo has also produced Nollywood stars like Bimbo Oshin and Dele Odule.
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