SNAPSHOP HISTORY OF AIYEPE TOWN IN OGUN STATE NIGERIA

AIYEPE TOWN (Odogbolu LG) IN FOCUSThere are so many great towns in Odogbolu Local Government . One of it is Aiyepe-Ijebu, a sleepy town very close to Ijebu-Ode. And one significant thing about that town is the fact that it is governed by 6 traditional rulers namely: Alakan, Obiri, Olowu, Alaye Aba, Akalako. All the rulers are rated second class, except one who is yet to be promoted to that grade. All are recognised by the Ogun State government. The five-2nd classes Obas are also members of the Ijebu Traditional Council under the Chairmanship of the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba S.K. Adetona.

To ensure that rancour does not tear apart the Aiyepe Traditional Rulers Council to which all the Obas belong the chairmanship is not permanent. The council’s meeting is held periodically and chaired in rotation by the six Obas.

Aiyepe is located between Odogbolu and Ikenne and has an estimated population 25,000 people. The name Aiyepe was derived from an Ijebu dialect Soju Aiyepe which literally means “the world completely gather here.”

The amalgam of 6 Obas in just one town dated back about 2 centuries when Aiyepe was founded. Specifically, in 1800, six homesteads – Aba, Idobin, Odolowu, Ilakan, Afo and ldobusanwa held a meeting and agreed to live together in the same vicinity. Before then they lived at a distance of about 10 to 15 kilometres apart.

Odolowu and Idobusanwa horne-steads were near Ikenne remo. The Ilakan was very close to Shagamu, while Aba settled close to Odogbolu. Ako and Idobiri homesteads were also not far from Shagamu.

Basically, their decision to live together was informed by the internecine wars and the regular disappearance of their folks particularly women and children at the time. Around this period, there were incessant civil wars in Yorubaland and many homesteads were raided where people were killed or capture. To stop incursions into their territories, the six Obas met over how to ward off the enemies and find a lasting solutions.