As most ancient cities in Nigeria, Ijebu-Ode has its set of big families associated with the Growth and Prosperity of the city. These are big names, which are quite synonymous with the development of the city. These are big family names such as the Alatishes, Baloguns, Kukus, Osiboguns, Osinusis, Foworas, Adesoyes, Oduntans, Alebiosus, the Ajayis, Asenugas, the Adenugas, the Osiboguns, the Adebanjos, Osobas, Adedejis, Osifesos, Okunobis, Alausas, Oreagbas, Adesanyas and the Onanugas, to mention but a few.
His Royal Majesty, Oba Sikiru Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebu, has brought his family name to the limelight since he ascended the throne. His family is from a ruling house.
There is the Kukus too. Their ancestor, the late Balogun Odueyingbo Bello Kuku was the 2nd Balogun General of Ijebuland. He was like Prince Chaka the Zulu of South Africa. His military prowess had no equal. His political achievements, administrative competence and social radiance when summed together resulted in what made him a colossus both in life and in death. His generation includes the late Laitan Kuku, a native court judge, the late M.A. Kuku, the first black Accountant General of Nigeria Port Authority the late Chief S.B. Kuku.
It also includes the late legal luminary and distinguished businessman, Chief Bayo Kuku, who was the Ogbeni Oja of Ijebuland, the eminent accomplished Architect Chief Afolabi Kuku, the distinguished intellectual Medical Physician, Dr Sonny Kuku Eko Hospital, the renowned Mathematician (K formula) Professor Aderemi Oluyomi Kuku. They have all blazed trails in making the Kuku family name live in the consciousness of both the old and young alike.
And then the Odutolas. The 2 brothers, Timothy and Jimoh were the first well known Ijebus in the industrial sector. They were the aristocratic family of Ijebu. They were ubiquitous when of, produce buying, gold mining, motor transport coupled with the idea of a weaving industry, Odutola tyre sole, Odutola Biscuit, Continental Brewery, Crown Products Limited (now Beta Crown Division) Odutola Foam etc. Currently, one of their children is Professor Olurin, the famous Ophthalmologist.
How about the Ashirus? Members of the Saka Ashiru are quite known for their achievements in the field of academics. Prof. Oladipo Ashiru the first professor to work on test tube Baby is a member of this family. Both their men and women are considered great academics. It is one family that has the largest number of graduates in various disciplines from Medicine, Law to Accounting etc. They have served as Commissioners, Managing Directors. Quite popular among them are: Prof. (Mrs.) Adenike M.O. Osoba, the late Ambassador A. Ashiru, the late Otunba Muyiwa Ashiru (Lawyer), Bimbo Ashiru of Chartered Bank and others.
The Adesoyes are also popular. They have done well in transport, trading and commerce. The family is also known as prominent Horse Rider (Balogun of Ijebuland). Today, several children and grandchildren from this family have excelled in so many fields of human endeavours. Among them is Otunba Tunji Adesoye (Otunba Tunaiyese) a retired Federal Government Permanent Secretary.
Add that to the Mosuros. They have produced great men and women whose contributions in government and social enterprise are so numerous to mention. Popular among them are: Otunba (Dr.) Mosuro (Mase of Ijebuland), Kolade Mosuro, Bookseller at Ibadan, and others.
The Adedejis too are popular. They have brought global recognition and fame to Ijebuland. Prominent members are the Asiwaju of Ijebuland (Professor Adebayo Adedeji). Mr Kunle Adedeji, the Architect, who has been making waves in architectural designs both in Nigeria and Overseas.
There is also the Otubus. The warlords, whose generations can boast of several businessmen, Lawyer, Managers. They are also prominent in religion.
And then the Owodunnis. In Ijebu-Ode, the family is noted for its giant strides, especially in Law. They are one of Ijebu Lawyers who blazed the trail. Many of their sons and daughters are popular Lawyers. The family has produced more than 20 Lawyers and more are yet to finish their programme. Among them is Alhaji M.O. Owodunni.
How about the Ayanbadejos. The family is quite popular. They are certainly large and influential enough. They are also into trading and commerce. They are also a very industrious family to be considered in terms of their wealth and spread. They are also noted for their academic exploits.
The Teriba family is also very popular and domineering in several fields of life. They have also achieved so much that many of them have served in both the State and Federal Government. They are also a household name in most states in America where they work as Medical Doctors, Computer Scientists etc. They are from Odo-Egbo Quarters.
There are also the Alatishes They have men of valour, who occupy various prominent positions. Great among them are: Otunba Adegboyega Alatishe, a businessman and his brother the Gbegande of Ososa, Oba. There is also Chief (Mrs.) Hirat Balogun, and Toye Alatishe.
The Adesanya family is also popular and widely spread across Ijebu quarters. They have come of age and popular. The Gbelegbuwa Ruling House has great men and women, so also is the Adesanya (Olisa of Ijebu-Ode) have prominent, educated and accomplished Ijebu personalities among them Prof. Adesanya (SAN).
How about the Ashiru Balogun? They are also a prominent family that has performed well in their various fields. Among them is Subomi Balogun, whose name rings a bell in the banking industries, Dr Yinka Ashiru Balogun, a Medical Director of Jones Specialist Clinic.
The Fetugas are also known for industry and success on the political scene of Ijebu. They have Medical Doctors, Engineers and academics. Among them is Prof. Fetuga (Scientist).
Many members of the Otubushins family are wealthy and educated. Without exaggeration, the Otubushins are the largest family in Ijebu-Ode. The current flag bearer in the family is Pacific Printer man Prince Otubushin.
The Olusogas are found in all fields of human endeavours e.g Engineering, Medicine and others. The first Ijebu Medical Doctor in 1929 came from the family.
The Odumosu. He pioneered Christianity in Ijebuland, owned the first printing press, opened, the first trading shop and published the first literary work to educate and enlighten the people. Many of them are technocrats, Lawyers and Administrators. Popular among the members of this family is Justice Odumosu, Chief Kayode Odumosu (Kayways).
There is also the Adenuga family. The matriarch of the family before she died was Otunba Mike Adenuga’s mum. She is related to the Awujale of Ijebuland. How about the Sote family? It is also a big family just like that of the Adebowale family of the Medicine Store fame.
Another big name is that of the Foworas made popular by Ambassador Fowora and Otunba Fowora. Their kids, Femi Fowora, Deola Adewunmi and Segun Fowora have further sent the family’s name soaring.
How about the Koiki family? It is a big name. Recall that Juju maestro, Ebenezer Obey, praise-sang one of them in the ’70s. Koiki Omo Oloye he called him.
Add them to the Ogutuga family. They own DB Wine and they are related to the Sangowas.
There is also the Osikoya family of Fisko and Ogroma fame. And, of course, the Onanugas. Quite well known is the Giwa Egbe Bobaheye Akile Ijebu and Bayo Onanuga. There is also Bode Onanuga and K2 Kolade Onanuga. One of them is also contesting the Chairmanship of Ijebu LG.
Equally popular is the Alausa family, made popular by Agboola Alausa, the Otun Balogun of Ijebuland.
So also is the Onabanjo family. That is the family of the former Ogun State Governor, Chief Bisi Onabanjo, of the Ayekooto fame.
Add them to the Ogunusi family which has produced the Tastee Fried Chicken owner, Mrs Adedayo and the Ijako-Ijaiye LG boss. He is a Chartered Accountant.
There is also the Arowolo family. One of them is Engineer Arowolo, the builder.
Then the Fetugas, Oluwobis Oregbas Aromolati, Mamoras, Mabogunje, which has produced many professors, and the Odujuwas. From the Odufuwa comes Engr. Tunde Odufuwa of Lagos City Computer. There is also the Jejes, the Ibirogbas, Otubushis and the Bakares.
From the Jeje family is the current Ogun Housing Commissioner, and from the Ibirogbas comes the former Ogun Information Commissioner. Many don’t know that Chief Stephen Bakare of Oluwalogbon fame has an Ijebu pedigree.
The Adesoyes too are popular. They have done well in transport, trading and commerce. The family is also known as a prominent Horse Rider (Balogun of Ijebuland). Today, several children and grandchildren from the family have excelled in so many fields of human endeavours.
The Okunowo family has come of age in terms of their dominance in textile (DAMASK). Among them is Chief Funlola Okunowo, the Bobasuwa II.
There is the Aranmolate family. They are popular and famous. Several children from the family have excelled in so many fields of human endeavours. Among them is Dr Aranmolate a Surgeon.
There is the Arigbabus. They are well known for trading and commerce. They are popular and ubiquitous across the length and breadth of the globe. Among them is a Neurosurgeon Prof. Arigbabu of University of Lagos Teaching Hospital.
The Ajayi Jegede family is from Itantebo quarters among them are the late Chief G.O.K Ajayi (SAN); Otunba Funsho Ajayi (a retired major and late Otunba Femi Ajayi).
The Oduwoles are prominent and upcoming business people and academics. They are from Porogun quarters, among them is General Oduwole.
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