Imesi-ile

Imesi-ile is an ancient town in the northeastern part of the Obokun Local Government in Osun State, Nigeria. In the 19th century, this town was the epicenter of the Jalumi and the Kiriji wars among the Yoruba nations, and the foundation of peace among all warring Yoruba kingdoms, in Nigeria.^[1] The town is about one-hour drive from Ilesa; and less than an-hour drive from Osogbo, Osun state capital. It is located on an extremely high hill and almost entirely surrounded by mountains. Because of its unique location and its natural hills and caves within the mountains covering several miles; it was an easy choice for protections during wars in those days.

Hills and mountains[]

Imesi-ile is situated on a plateau among several high hills and mountains.  It is amazingly easy to hear sounds of human and vehicles late at night and in the morning from surrounding towns as afar as Ilesa, which is about 45kilometers away.^[2]  Some of the hills are:

Aborigogoro hill	Agogoro hill	Akuro hill	Alaba hill	Aragba hill	Aragbo hill	Aremoge hill	Arije hill	Ataadu hill
Ataarese hill	Ataoja hill	Aye hill	Egun-dudu hill	Elegunre hill	Eregun hill	Gogoru hill	Ifola hill	Imuperon hill
Itasa hill	Oisa hill	Olo hill	Olua hill	Olukoko hill	Omiyeke hill	Oritereu hill	Orogbigbo hill	Orogidi hill

Caves and crevices[]

Imesi-ile is one of the many Nigeria untapped treasures open to archaeological discoveries. There are several crevices and man caves which were inhabited by humans in the early centuries; and are still existing till date.^[3] These caves are called Agbon by the locals. For instance there is Agbon mosakuku along Igbajo road; Agbon obuntun- it was at this cave many raiders along Okemesi route, who were attacking Imesi-ile people, after the end of Kiriji war, were trapped. There is Agbon ifa – for fishing expedition.^[3] Below are complete list.

Agbon akatakiti	Agbon amoko	Agbon arasagba	Agbon asasa	Agbon ato itoo	Agbon ede	Agbon eye	Agbon eyele
Agbon ifa	Agbon ifola	Agbon imogbe	Agbon inurin	Agbon kurepe	Agbon mosakuku	Agbon obo	Agbon obuntun
Agbon olo	Agbon olorowa	Agbon olua	Agbon ure	Agbon uti

Water[]

In the early centuries, Imesi-Ile depended, almost entirely, on spring and stream water, which are broken into two categories. The first category flow directly from the foot of the hill, among rocks and sand.^[2] They usually, clear, testy, sparkling, cool and naturally filtered. These are:^[2]

Afaekere stream	Agbaogun stream	Agberumi stream	Arioyun stream	Asasa stream	Eleyin stream	Erin-akan stream	Erinfunfun stream
Idi abidun stream	Idi egigun stream	Ifola stream	Ijagba stream	Isun stream	Iwo stream	Iyoro stream	Losulu stream
Ogere stream	Ogungun stream	Omi oba stream	Otin-ewa stream	Sepolo stream

The second category are streams used mostly for bathing and washing. These are:^[2]

Abeokuta stream	Akure stream	Apo olowu stream	Aponkojiya stream	Egudu stream	Iwiibo aponyin stream	Iwo stream	Ogberinla stream
Oguru stream	Olodoo stream	Omidofin stream	Omigbado stream	Onitoki stream	Sakaragba stream

Kingship[]

There are three ruling houses in Imesi-ile. They are (i) Ako (ii) Imose (iii) Ilerio. Owa-Ooye of Imesi -Ile, a first-class king, is assisted by a council of traditional chiefs to oversee traditional affairs of the town.^[4] The following are monarchs since the first settlement in chronological order:^[4]

Chronological list

(1) Owa Ooye Jalorun, otherwise known as Owa Ooye Saga	(2) Owa Ooye Iroko	(3) Owa Ooye Owalosin	(4) Owa Ooye Agbaogo	(5) Owa Ooye Ponyin
(6) Owa Ooye Imoni	(7) Owa Ooye Agbon-jo-laafin	(8) Owa Ooye Agboreledo Osuntaboye	(9) Oloja-Oke Orifioye	(10) Oloja-Oke Korodin
(11) Oloja-Oke Adelekuku	(12) Oloja-Oke Eyinyinloja	(13) Oloja-Oke Oluyode	(14) Oloja-Oke Imoni	(15) Oloja-Oke Oyoyo 'Taban'
(16) Oloja-Oke Akinwumi	(17) Oloja-Oke Adelekan	(18) Oloja-Oke Adeleye	(19) Oloja-Oke Ajitakoto-aje	(20) Oloja-Oke Adejuwonlo
(21) Oloja-Oke Otutu-bi-osun	(22) Oloja-Oke Alubi-osasa	(23) Oloja-Oke Adesunloye	(24) Oloja-Oke Eyebiokin	(25) Oloja-Oke Adeoti
(26) Oloja-Oke Adebiyi	(27) Oloja-Oke Adelakun	(28) Oloja-Oke Akuluju	(29) Oloja-Oke Akere	(30) Oloja-Oke Agbagba
(31) Oloja-Oke Ogbeyeye-ebu	(32) Oloja-Oke Aole	(33) Oloja-Oke Aridan	(34) Oloja-Oke Fasan Alosoija	(35) Oloja-Oke Merunpe
(36) 'Loja Oke Luoye-Arokosewaji	(37) 'Loja Oke Ajetomobi Ooyokun	(38) 'Loja Oke Fabunmi I Gbegbaaje	(39) 'Loja Oke Ladokun Adefenwa Fabunmi II	(40) 'Loja Oke Ademikanlu
(41) 'Loja Oke Ajiboye Ariyowonye Kekere Olajugbe	(42) Owa Ooye Rufus Adenipekun Adegbola Gbegbaaje Fabunmi III (..He resuscitated the Owa Ooye title)	(43) Owa Ooye Richard Oladiipo Makanjuola, Adebiyi II	(44)Owa Ooye Enoch Ademola Akinyemi, Oyoyo II

History[]

Jalumi war was a precursor to the Kiriji war. Ekitis who wanted dignity, respect, and independence from the hegemony of Ibadan through the unbridled powers of Ibadan political residents (otherwise called Ajeles), formed a coalition to go into war against Ibadan.^[5] The formation was as follows:

• Ekiti-under the command of Fabunmi of Oke Mesin, encamped at the foot of Imesi-ile, near a river, now called Fejeboju.^[6]
• Ila – under the command of Prince Adeyala
• Ilorin - under the command of Chief Ajia
• Ijeshas – under the command of Ayimoro and Ogunmodede encamped at Iba

Ekiti coalition moved ammunitions through to Imesi-ile and first attacked Igbajo, who refused to support the confederates but pledged allegiance to Ibadan.^[5] Igbajo called on Ibadan for help and a military commander, headed by Osuntoki was dispatched from Ibadan by Are the Kakanfo. The Ekiti allied forces defeated Ikirun; and Are, the Kakanfo of Ibadan, then dispatched Balogun Ajayi Ogboriefon and Ilori the Osi of Ibadan, against the coalition. As Ibadan soldiers overran Ilorin and pursued them towards Offa through the Otin river, Offa cut off the bridge across Otin river and many Ilorin armies running from the pursuit by Balogun Ogboriefon led Ibadan army, perished in the river. Ilori the Osi of Ibadan who had been taken captive by Ilorin was killed. Prince Adeyala of Ila also died there. After the defeat of Ilorin, Ibadan army led by Balogun Ajayi Ogboriefon was recalled back home and Ibadan army ceased temporarily to fight.

Kiriji War (or Ekiti parapo war): Ki-ri-ji sound was the result of the long-flintlock guns with large muzzles when fired reverberate among several hills in Imesi-ile. The Ekitiparapos (made up of Ekitis, Ijesas, Efons, Mesin Ipole [Imesi-ile], Ijebu Ode and other tribes) allied forces against Ibadan were determined to free themselves from the shackles of Ibadan authoritarian. These confederates formed alliance determined to overrun Oyo tribes right to Ibadan farms at river Oba. So they invited Ogedengbe to come and lead them who was initially reluctant because he had sworn never to attack Ibadan since he horned his military training there. But Are rebuffed all his entreaties. So the confederate was headed by Fabunmi of Oke Mesin (now called Okemesi) and were on the match towards Ikirun. Seriki initially led Ibadan army against the confederates and there began the Kiriji war. The confederates retreated to Imesi-ile via Igbajo whose town was already deserted at the approach of the allied.^[7] Ogedengbe later took over the leadership command of the Ekitiparapos at Kiriji in Mesin ipole (Imesi-ile). On September 23, 1886, all the warring parties except Ilorin soldiers signed the peace settlement but Ekikitparapos still remained, thereafter in Imesi-ile, to watch Ibadan next move.^[8]

Medical discovery[]

Dr. David Morley (1923-2009), graduated from Clare College, Cambridge and St. Thomas Hospital in London.^[9] After his graduation in 1947, he learnt about health care problems in the developing world during his Military service in Malaysia.^[10] He was recruited by the Methodist Mission and sent to Imesi-ile. Within 5 years he transformed approach to health care of children in the community. In the 8 ½ years of all of 1960s, the average deaths per 1000 new baby born in most parts of Nigeria was between 6 and 12.^[11] These maternity deaths were caused by obstructed labor, hemorrhage and eclampsia. Through proper obstetric practice introduced by Dr. Morley in Imesi-ile. He was able to reduce mortality rate to less than 2 per 1000 births. By 1965, Imesi-ile became the first community in the world to record the eradication of measles through immunization.

Under Fives Clinic[]

In Imesi-ile, Dr David Morley pioneered “Under-Fives Clinics.” This concept introduced high protein weaning food. Mothers kept their children's records (less loss than for hospital-based records). Grade II Midwives were taught to deal with 90 per cent of clinical needs and to refer the other 10 per cent. He devised the “Road to Health” growth chart. The first measles vaccine was trialled at the Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesa and Imesi-ile. It was here, in this ancient town, the community-based health care revolution which is now practiced all over the world began.^[12]

Family units (Agbo ile)[]

All indigenes of Imesi-ile are recognized by the extended family compound they belong. These are made up of people with similar ancestries. The table below shows these family compounds.^[13]

Ako ruling house	Imose ruling house	Ilerio ruling house	Agbo ile Akegun	Agbo ile Olowu (Oke)	Agbo ile Olowu (Odo)	Agbo ile Obanla (Odowo)	Agbo ile Olojudo	Agbo ile Odunmorun	Agbo ile Asaba
Agbo ile Temidire	Agbo ile Osolo	Agbo ile Akerele (Itiwo)	Agbo ile Aro (Itiwo)	Agbo ile Arode	Agbo ile Arode	Agbo ile Orudi	Agbo ile Obe	Agbo ile Otuoko	Agbo ile Loriawo
Agbo ile Oisaba	Agbo ile Aba	Agbo ile olomu	Agbo ile Gbolaasa	Agbo ile Ilerio(Odo ese)	Agbo ile Saade (Tasan)	Agbo ile Osun (Odoba)	Agbo ile Osun (Odowo)	Agbo ile Agbelu	Agbo ile Ejemu
Agbo ile Jadumesi	Agbo ile Ejemu-iwa	Agbo ile Arapate	Agbo ile Oege	Agbo ile Opeforisowo	Agbo ile Obanla (Odoba)	Agbo ile Odofin	Agbo ile Onirangunsin	Agbo ile Obaala(Abolubode)	Agbo ile Obajimo
Agbo ile Lade	Agbo ile Alara(Adubi obi)	Agbo ile Saloro (Ajedun)	Agbo ile Loja-oke	Agbo ile Odole (Oke-iro)	Igba ile Iroko (Ariyibi)	Agbo ile Alara (Gbogberin)	Agbo ile Asaol	Agbo ile Orisogodo	Agbo ile Inurin
Agbo ile Lerio (ijana-oke)	Agbo ile Oosinkin (Lokunmuyi)	Agbo ile Adigbo	Agbo ile Okile	Agbo ile Lejua Faro	Agbo ile Lejua Ata	Agbo ile Lesogan	Agbo ile Alagbo	Agbo ile Odio	Agbo ile Ojan
Agbo ile Lejua (Oke-iro)	Agbo ile Asigi	Agbo ile Oloro	Agbo ile Lode	Agbo ile Obiun	Agbo ile Lerio imota	Agbo ile Odole (Odobi)	Agbo ile Aworo Oni	Agbo ile Onire

Economy[]

The major economic source in Imesi-ile come through farming and agriculture. In the early twentieth century Christian Missionaries arrived and introduced education in Imesi-ile, many homes received western education.^[1]

Notable people[]

Imesi-ile is a self-made town. Many of her children have and are still sacrificing today. Few of these heroes are listed below:^[13][14]

Alfred Labinjo (The Marksman)[]

Alfred Labinjo's parents were Kujosin and Ojiropa from the Itiwo compound.^[15] He was born around the first half of the nineteenth century. He became a highly successful merchant in Lagos and was very instrumental to the successful prosecution of the Kiriji war. He was one of the major suppliers of military gunpowder, cannonballs, Schnider rifles and cartridges which were routed through Gureje to the Ekiti confederate soldiers.^[15] He was one of the founders and leaders of the Rifle Corps. He trained the confederate army the effective use of trench war battle. On July 13, 1885, he was wounded in the Kiriji war and died few days later.^[15]

Fakuyide Ajakaye[]

Fakuyide Ajakaye was born to the Ale family of Koreti and Owolude in Odowo, around 1860.^[15] He was an active participant in the Kiriji war and was very good with swords. After the war, he became a successful trader. He loved to be gorgeously dressed. He had several wives and created one of the largest families in Imesi-Ile. It was in his compound that he first received Christian missionaries who came to Imesi-ile to spread the gospel; and allowed two of his children to receive formal education. He became the Obaala in 1922. He was a well-respected personality through his selfless service to the community. He died on August 10, 1942.^[15]

Oginni Familusi[]

Oginni Familusi was born around the middle of nineteenth century.^[15] His parents were Lokunsoro and Orisatikun of the Akegun family of Ijana. He had the Chieftaincy title of Akegun during the Kiriji war. An honest and virtuous man; and a political adviser to the King. During the Ita-Idominasi and Imesi-Ile road constructions, he played big community leadership role. He donated food to laborers who worked during Osun Iponda bridge construction. He died on August 14, 1936.^[15]

Imesi-ile Warriors[]

The vantage position of imesi-ile placed it at a constant theater of many of Yoruba wars. Imesi-Ile produced many warriors of the wars.^[15] According to Olabisi Adekanla, “Prominent among them were Gbasi, Ogunmokunwa and Olowuro, all of Odo Ese, Adekanla of Ijana and Asao of Odobi. Labinjo of Itiwo was a major supplier of imported breach loading guns and leader and trainer of the rifle corps; Balogun Osejin, Oni, his brother, Beegun, Eso Esudina, Ayilumo, Subiaro, Oniro, and Fagbolu, alias Looponda, all from Ile Lejua Ekunfe of Oke-Iro. Other were Awowale and Ogunwole from Ile Aworo-Okun, Apata and Opiliki from Ile olomu; Kayaoja, Ogedengbe’s trumpeter, Lasilola, Jiga, Alonge, Ojo, Ajayi and Adegbite, all from Okuagbonrin otherwise known as Ile Sango. Also, from Ile Obe were Famoye, Alagbe, Akerele, Sasolarin, Sitekun and Famugbode. Others included Lamijulo, (Gbain Obi soogun), from Ile Aba, Funamogbo Iyaya and Odun from Ile Gbolasa. There were also Fabode and Ogunkunle from Fabode’s house, Fatodu and Bada from Ile Sagunrin, Obaala Ogbudu from Ile Obaala Ogan, Anigbedu Farotimi Aborode, Ako, Agbati and Igbagba from Ile Odunmorun. Also from Ile Osun and Odofin were Laogun Ipaye, Ogunpolu, Oba Ijagba, Odofin Jobioloye, Otejimi and Oye. Asika P’olu Egbe, Ogunkola, Tifase, Ajakaye, Otun, Laarade Orisan, Ariwodola and Labinjo were all from Itiwo. Dawodu Ajakaye, Ogun Idagiri (Ogedengbe’s Ipaye) were from Ile Asaba: Idagun, Ode and Tenigbokun from Ile Olowu. Others were Faseyitan of Ile Fakola and Olukanmi of Ile Ajana both of Orudi, Fakiyesi, Faniyan, Ogan Ibule, Owoyomi (Atagbon k’eru o bolode) all of Ile Ejemua, Fajimi (A ruku saya diidi) and Yesoka (Aruku’s ibembe drummer) both of Ile Osolo. There also were Orogbangba, Kumolu-Ayena, the dexterous sword man of Ile Olojudo. Other were Eti Ologbo-Olumo-Oluo of Ile Alagbo; Sabiyi Abolude (Imogun), Lalemi (Ile titun), Fasumi Aaga bodi, Erinmo Ile Oro all of Ile Sabi. The rest were from Odoba.^[15] They were Omitogun of Ile Sabi, Aworo Osun of Ile Osun, Itasanmi and Ajasa of Ile Erintiku, Obaoro baba Okin of Ile Odio, Saode and Oreegun of Ile iroko.”^[15]

William Adesola Ojo[]

William Adesola Ojo was born around 1885, to the family of Obaala Ajakaye and Madam Ayegbiyan, he was one of the first set to receive Primary education in Imesi-Ile.^[15] He later graduated from Tinubu Weslayan Elementary school and was employed to the position of signaler at the Nigerian Railway in 1913. He resigned fifteen years later to return to Imesi-Ile to serve his people. He was the first to introduce science into farming which he named Wasimi Garden.^[15] He was appointed Imesi-ile native judge and later, as Councilor for Ijesa Native Authority Council. He actively supervised Ita-Idominasi and Imesi-Ile road construction in the early 1930s also Imesi-Ile and Okemesi road in the late 1940s. he died on March 18, 1958.^[15]

Abraham Olanimgbe Makanjuola[]

Abraham Makanjuola was born to Prince Falore of the Ilerio Royal family of Ijana, in the late nineteenth century.^[15] He worked briefly at Nigeria Railways but later went into banking where he grew to become the Director at the Barclays bank. He was one of the founders of Imesi-Ile Progressive Union.^[15] He built blocks of classrooms at Methodist High School (which was later named Imesi-Ile High School) to meet government requirements. He financed the construction of Ilare and Imesi-Ile road project. He played major role in the restoration of the beaded crown to Imesi-Ile. He was the Otun Owa until 1979 when he died.^[15]

Luke Tewogbola Olamijulo[]

Luke Tewogbola Olamijulo was born in the late nineteenth century into the family of Owarungbe of Ile Aba compound.^[15] He was one of the first set to receive primary education at Imesi-Ile Primary School in 1900. He proceeded later to Wesley College, Ibadan.^[15] He was a teacher for many years before venturing into business. He was an important contributor to social, political landscape in Imesi-Ile community.^[15] One of the founders of Imesi-Ile Progressive Union, he later joined to set up Ijesa Northern District Council and became its first Chairman. He won a seat into the Nigeria legislative Upper Chamber as the first Senator from Ijesaland.^[15]

Philip Fayese Familusi[]

His father was Akegun Oginni Familusi.^[15] Although the did not receive formal education, he acquired Yoruba literacy. A highly intelligent man who chronicled and archived all historical events including families and churches with astounding accuracy.^[15] He self-trained and mastered sewing becoming the leader of Imesi-Ile Tailors’ Association. Pa Familusi quickly recognized importance of education and would ensure parents enrolled their children in school. He had no problem turning children of school age back from farm forcing them to attend school. Many of those children later became important personalities in life. A man of courage and determination.^[15]

Joshua Olaoye Fakolade[]

Joshua Olaoye Fakolade was born around the early twentieth century.^[15] His parents were Fakolade and Bosede of the Modeowu family of Ijana.^[15] He was a certified preacher and steward of the Methodist Church of Nigeria. He was a member of Imesi-Ile Progressive Union disciplinary Committee for many years.^[15] Formany years, he Chaired Imesi-Ile Health Committee and Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital. He died in 1994.^[15]

Joseph Adelola Olaniyan[]

Joseph Adelola Olaniyan was born in 1925 into the family of Pa and Dorcas Olaniyan of Ile Aba and Ile Ejemuwa compounds.^[15] He had his primary education at Methodist School, Imesi-Ile. He attended Government College, Ibadan in 1941 after which he proceeded to England to obtain Bachelor of Science in Engineering.^[15] He came back to Nigeria to set up his engineering company. An Imesi-Ile patriot and philanthropist who served his people with passion and vigor. He died on November 11, 1982.^[15]

Oluwole Siyanbola[]

Hon. Oluwole Siyanbola was born in May 1933 into the Otuoko family of Okerena.^[15] His parents were, James Ojo Siyanbola (Arogba) and Madam Susannah Ajayi Siyanbola.^[15] He received his primary education at Methodist School between 1939 and 1947.^[15] He obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Geography from University College, Ibadan. He was a teacher at Okitipupa Methodist High School and later returned to Imesi-Ile High school to succeed Chief J.I. Bifarin as the school Principal.^[15] He later joined politics and was elected to Oyo State legislature until 1983 when the military overtook the government. He was a philosopher, disciplinarian, orator, loved by his people. He died on November 29, 1992.^[15]

David Ojo Abiodun Oguntoye[]

David Ojo Abiodun Oguntoye was born in 1914, to the family of Pa Alo Oguntoye of Ile Olomu and Madam Badejoko Kilanpon Oguntoye of Ilerio ruling house.^[15] He graduated Grade II teacher and taught in many schools outside Imesi-Ile until he became Headmaster. During the World war II, he joined the British Royal Air Force. After the war, he studied law and was called to English Bar in 1948.^[15] He returned to Nigeria to set up his private legal practice. He was a councilor representing Imesi-Ile at Kiriji Local Government Council between 1954 and 1956. He became the Grade A Customary Court Judge for the Western region in 1958. He was highly respected by his people. In 1968, he was installed Loogun Legiri of Imesi-Ile. He died June 18, 1997.^[15]

Isola Fabunmi (Orara L’Ada)[]

Isola Fabunmi was born in 1849.^[15] He was of the royal family to the throne at Okemesi (formerly Imesi Igbodo). He received training in tailoring from his father, Prince Adesoye.^[15] For much of 1860s, he lived in Ibadan with Akintola, the second son of Balogun Ibikunle of Ibadan. He was a war boy who took part in Iperu and Mamu war campaigns. He later returned to Okemesi and was involved in several local raids.^[15]

References[]

Coordinates: 7°49′55″N 4°50′13″E / 7.832°N 4.837°E / 7.832; 4.837