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IKIRUN
HISTORICAL CITY IN YORUBALAND
Ikirun, is an historical city that derived
its name from the founder of the town called Akinorun.
Akinorun is a hunter who founded Ikirun.
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION
Ikirun is situated in the north-eastern part of Osun state of Nigeria in Osun northeast division
Ikirun is located
within latitude 7 degree 50 feet north of Equator and longitude 4 degree 40 feet east of Greenwich meridian.
The town
is located in a valley surrounded by 2 hills. Obagun/Gbogi hill to north and Aafo hill to the south and Alaroka and Idi-olo
mountain to the east.
Ikirun is centrally located in Osun north-east division of Osun state. It is bounded on the north
by Inisa town in Odo-otin local government area. On the south by Osogbo, the Osun state capital. To the east by Iragbiji town
in Boripe local government council. And on the west by Eko-Ende town also in Ifelodun local government council.
POPULATION:
It is estimated that the population of Ikirun was about 60,826 (according to National Population Census, Ikirun).
HISTORICAL
PERSPECTIVES
Akinorun had two sons, Akinbiyi and Akinyemi who ruled and died at the original site, Igbo Irele. One of
other Akinoruns children Oba-Ara,
Gboleru and Adedeji moved out of the original site at Igbo Irele because there was shortage
of water. Oba-Ara became the first ruler of the present Ikirun while Basetan became Eesa and head of the traditional chiefs
and kingmakers in the town.
In recognition of the original role of Basetan as Oba-Aras host, every Oba soon after his
appointment is obliged to spend a period of time , previously three months but now cut to three days with Eesa. Just as Ikirun
is derived from Akinorun so does the title of Oba Akinrun takes its origin from the same name.
NAMES OF PAST OBAS
(KINGS) IN IKIRUN
As mentioned earlier, the former settlement at Igbo-Irele was short lived. However,since the birth of
permanent and present site of the town, fourteen Akinrun has reigned over Ikirun town. They are as follows:
1. Olasinde
Obaara
2. Gboleru
3. Aye Munije
4. Adedeji I
5. Olusosun
6. Fatolu
7. Oyewole
8. Lalowo
9.
Oyebode
10. Ola
11. Akadiri 1887 - 1917
12. Oba Kolawole 1917 1940
13 Oba Kusamotu Oyewole
14. Oba Lawani
Adeyemi Oyejola 1945 1989
15. Oba Raufu Olayiwola Olawale Adedeji the present Akinrun of Ikirun whose coronation ceremony
took place on
5th July, 1990.
TRADITIONAL CHIEFS OF IKIRUN
The traditional chiefs of Ikirun are as follows:
1. Chief Eesa he is the head of king makers
2. Chief Odofin
3. Chief Ojomu
4. Chief Elemo
5. Chief Aro
6. Chief Jagun
7. Chief Baale Okeba
8. Chief Olukotun
WOMEN TITLE HOLDERS
Women also hold traditional
titles in Ikirun such as Iyalode of Ikirun, Otun Iyalode, Osi Iyalode, Ekerin Iyalode and Iyaloja.
NAMES OF COMPOUNDS
IN IKIRUN
1. Ile Adu
2. Alagbede 3. Aare Olugasa
4. Agbojari 5. Alagbede pon
6.Awodi Ogun 7. Ile Aloba 8.Alubata Agboja
9. Amola 10. Abitimo
11. Aromokanla 12. Aare-Onibon
13. Akan-an
14. Aare
15. Alaran 16. Abojo
17. Apanpa 18. Amugangan
19. Abudu 20. Agunjin
21. Agbere 22. Asuramu
23. Alataya 24. Akeremewe
25. Anlamole 26. Agbaleke
27. Alawo 28. Adeyeri
29. Akio 30.Agbopa
31.
Aboke 32. Afonpe
33. Are-Ago 34. Aiwosi
35. Aje- Oba 36. Ajenbe
37. Agbori oko 38. Alagbaa
39. Alawe 40. Agba-akin
41. Aladi 42. Ajele- Ilorin
43. Aloba 44. Ajiyalu
45. Ajibesin 46. Asalu
47. Abidogun 48. Aro
49.
Aresa 50. Aworo-Irele
51. Amolese 52. Arobo
53. Ajele 54. Ajimosun
55. Alalufaa (Isale Aafo) 56. Atere
57.
Ajakaye Onipele 58. Ajana
59. Asaba 60. Ajele Okeba
61. Ago Okeba 62. Ajisefinni
63. Alufa Akanbi 64. Adedeji
65. Alabi 66. Aniyeye
67. Agunlo 68. Aliyu
69. Aborisade 70. Agbon 71 Ayara
72. Baale- Enle 73.
Baba Osogbo
74. Orisayo 75. Balogun
76. Baale Gbenagbena 77. Baale Onilu
78. Baale Ponja Erintunde 79. Saba
80.
Balogun Kojo 81. Baale Oke Aafo
82. Balogun Makinde 83. Baba Isale
84. Balogun Imole 85. Baba Oloya
86. Baale
Arabanbi 87. Baale Babatola
88. Baale Soyan 89. Balogun Okeba
90. Bada 91. Baale Aludundun Ayan
92. Baale Oya
Omo Onira 93. Eesa
94. Eesade 95. Enju
96. Egunjobi 97. Elejin
98. Elemo Abioye (Oke Aafo) 99. Elemo Ago
100.
Efun Akun 101. Ebipologba
102. Elemoso Agan 103. Esu Agiriemu
104. Elemoso Ogun 105. Esubiyi
106. Eesorun Okeba
107. Elega
108. Eesa Olorombo 109. Gesinde
110. Gbalade 111. Gbenagbena
112. Gbesi 113. Iya Oba
114. Iyalaje
115. Idi Akoko
116. Tunde 117. Idi omo
118. Iyalode 119. Idi Okuta
120. Inurin 121. Jagun Aworinde
122. Jagun
Ajibade 123. Jagun Oyewo
124. Kalemori 125. Kuoye
126. Kolawolu 127. Lanseje
128. Lamulamu 129. Laawe
130.
Lagbeja 131. Masao
132. Motayo 133. Mosalo
134. Megida 135. Naana
136. Osikolaba 137. Oluawo Onisegun
138.
Olorebe 139. Olukuewu
140. Oluode 141. Otinlojuoti
142. Ologa 143. Olorunbasiri
144. Olomu 145. Olobedu
146.
Ojomu Awerijaye 147. Olosun
148. Olaese 149. Olola Gogoro
150. Omitokun 151. Oluawo Onifa
152. Oyo Igbajo 153.
Ojomu Agbosoye
154. Oloyan 155. Ogala
156. Onijabe 157. Olabugan
158. Oyewumi 159. Oluawo Onijabe
160. Oluode
Fekete 161. Oibo Taiwo
162. Olota 163. Olaore 164. Olorisa Oko
165. Oyo 166. Oloko
167. Oyelami 168.
Olora
169. Owolabi 170. Obale
171. Ogun 172. Ogodu
173. Ojomu Alao 174. Olori Onisango
175. Odofin Awo 176.
Olorungunna
177. Oluode Okeba 178. Ojongbodu
179. Oniwaye 180. Olobu
181. Olukolo 182. Osolo Okeba
183. Ogundeji
Okeba 184. Olori Oloya
185. Olufon 186. Olonde
187. Okela 188. Oke Gboye
189. Omode 190. Ogbaro
191. Pajapaja
192. Patoro
193. Paado 194. Sagede
195. Simo Isale 196. Simo Oke
197. Sobaloju 198. Oke Owo
199. Shitu Adegboye
200. Sise
201. Sagbedo 202. Sunmonu Aweda
203. Samolope 204. Toibo. 205. Solo Ibikunle.
206. Ile Ponjo 207. Ile Agboja. 208. Ile Kondo sile. 209. Ile Adesekan.
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES OFFICE IN IKIRUN
The following are the Federal Government
Establishments in Ikirun:
1. The Nigerian Police Divisional Headquaters Iyaganku, Ikirun
2. The Nigerian Police, Motor
Traffic Division, Oja Oba, Ikirun
3. Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Station Road, Ikirun
4. Nigerian
Telecommunication (NITEL) Station Road, Osogbo
5. General Post Office Station Road, Ikirun
6. National Population
Commission Old Ifelodun Local Government Secretariat, Ikirun
7. Federal Office of Statistics, Ikirun
8. Immigration
Office, New Ifelodun Local Government Secretariat, Ikirun
9. State Security Services, Ikirun
10. National Orientation
Agency (NAO), Old Ifelodun Local Government Secretariat, Ikirun.
11. National Youth Service Corps Zonal Headquarters,
New Ifelodun Local Government Secretariat, Ikirun.
12. Federal Ministry of Works and Housing Along Ikirun-Ofa Express
Road, Ikirun.
OSUN STATE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES OFFICE
The Osun State Government Establishment offices in Ikirun
are as follows:
a. Osun State Agricultural Mechanization Corporation, State Headquarters, Ikirun.
a. Ministry of Education
Along Iragbiji Road, Ikirun.
b. Fire Service Along Station Road, Ikirun.
c. Chief Magistrate Court Iragbiji Road,
Ikirun.
d. High Court Eko Ende Road, Ikirun
e. Ministry of Health (Primary Health Care Center), Olaore Estate, Inisha
Road, Ikirun.
f. Ministry of Works (Zonal Office), Eweta, Ikirun.
g. Osun State Property Development Corporation (Agunbe
Estate), Osogbo Road, Ikirun.
h. Land and Physical Planning Bureau, Labaeka Estate, Old Inisha Road, Ikirun.
i. Osun
State Water Corporation (Zonal Office), Old Inisha Road, Ikirun.
j. Ifelodun Local Government Education Authority Akinorun
Grammar School-Express Junction, Ikirun.
k. Ministry of Finance, Commerce and Industry (Internal Revenue) Oke Afo, Ikirun.
DAILY & WEEKLY MARKETS IN IKIRUN
The following are major markets in Ikirun:
1. Oja Oba which is attended
every day. It is situated directly in front of the Obas palace.
2. Oja Oba Adeyemi popularly known as Oja Alamisi i.e.
Thursday Market. It is attended once every Thursday. It is situated along Oke Afo-Express junction road, Ikirun.
3. Oja
Oba Adedeji popularly known as Oja Monday which is attended every Monday. It is situated directly in front of Akinorun Grammar
School, Railway Station Road, Ikirun.
4. Oja Oba Adedeji, popularly known as Oja Satide is attended every Saturday and
is situated along State Hospital Road, Ikirun.
5. Oba Adedeji Shopping Complex, situated along Oke Afo, Osogbo Road, Ikirun.
POST-PRIMARY INSTITUTIONS IN IKIRUN
1. Akinorun Grammar School, Station Road, Ikirun.
2. African Church Grammar
School, Idi Olo area, Old Iragbiji Road, Ikirun.
3. Coker Memorial Grammar School, Old Inisha Road, Ikirun.
4. Onaolapo
Memorial Grammar School, Isale Agunjin, Ikirun.
5. Holy Michael High School, Iragbiji Road, Ikirun.
6. Orimolade Commercial
Grammar School, Iragbiji Road, Ikirun.
7. School of Science, Old Inisha Road, P.O. Box 446, Ikirun.
8. Federal Government
College, Odo Amo, P.O. Box 5203, Ikirun.
PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN IKIRUN
1. Nawair Udeen Primary School, Oba Adeyemi
Street, Ikirun
2. Methodist Primary School, Oke Aafo, Ikirun.
3. Holy Trinity Primary School, Oke Aafo, Ikirun
4.
School for the Handicapped Children, Oke Iroko, Ikirun.
5. Local Authority Primary School, Moboreje, Ikirun.
6. Methodist
Primary School II, Oke Aafo, Ikirun.
7. Baptist Day School, Oke Iroko, Ikirun.
8. St. Pauls R.C.M. Primary School,
Ikirun.
9. Holy Michael Cherubin and Seraphim Church School, Ikirun.
10. All Saints African Primary School, Oke Iroko,
Ikirun.
11. C.A.C. Primary School, Ikirun
12. L.A. Primary School, Moboreje, Ikirun.
13. Savior Primary School,
Behind Old Motor park, Ikirun.
14. Community Primary School, Eweta, Ikirun.
HOTELS RESTAURANTS AND CANTEENS
a.
KENTAIDO HOTEL, Station Road, Ikirun.
b. OLUSANU HOTEL, Odo Amo, Ikirun
c. OTITOLEKE GUEST INN, Oke Afo, Ikirun.
d.
OLOOKU RELAXING CORNER, Oke Aafo, Ikirun.
e. IREWOLEDE HOTEL, Oyedokun Street, Ikirun.
f. RAINBOW HOTEL, Oyedokun
Street, Ikirun.
g. OBALOWU HOTEL, Eweta, Ikirun.
h. RIF CAFETERIA, Okiti Baba, Inisha Road, Ikirun.
BANKING
INSTITUTIONS
1. Cooperative Bank PLC, Inisha Road, Ikirun.
2. Union Bank PLC, Inisha Road, Ikirun.
3. Ifelodun
Community Bank, Oke Aafo, Ikirun.
TRADITIONAL IRELE FESTIVAL IN IKIRUN
The Irele festival comes up in July every
year to coincide with harvest of new yams. In Ikirun, new yams must not be brought to the Obas market for sale until after
Irele yam festival is held.
Irele festival is celeberated to commemorate the companion of founder of Ikirun. History
has it that Akinorun came with a companion, named Irele.
Like Akinorun he was a powerful hunter and warrior. They both
first settle in what is known as Igbo Irele. Not quite long after their arrival at Igbo Irele, Akinorun took ill. He called
his companion and his people, and handed the leadership over to Irele. Thereafter he died.
The administration of the town
and welfare of all that was left by Akinorun were in the hands of Akinoruns children and Irele. He took up the challenge and
whenever war threatened Igbo Irele, he quickly rose and founght gallantly.
Irele announced his imminent death and
gave certain instruction that must be adhere to by the people. He gave them two calabashes with the instructions never to
open them. He then dipped osanyin staff into the ground with instructions that whenever an attack was imminent, the people
should go there and call his name upon which he would fight for them. He added that when he died he black dog must be sacrified.
With this instructions, Irele, according to legend, entered into the ground. Akinoruns eldest son, Akinbiyi continued the
administration.
APPRECIATION
It was in appreciation of what Irele did for Ikirun when he was alive that the people
deified him and made a convenant that they would worship him and offer him sacrifices every year during the month of July
to coincide with harvest of the yams.
EGUNGUN FESTIVAL IN IKIRUN
In Yoruba land, there is a festival which is
called Egungun festival.
In Ikirun, Chief Ojomu is the traditional Chief in charge of Egungun Ilu (Town masquerade) while
Chief Olota is the leader of all Egungun Oje
(Magical masquerade) of the town.
Egungun festival comes up in May every
year and holds for seven (7) consecutives days. It is Chief Olota and Chief Ojomu who fix the days of the
Celebration
of Egungun festival in Ikirun. On the appointed day, Akinorun and his traditional Chiefs moves to celebrate in the residence
of Chiefs Ojomu and Olota, they will later proceed to Igbo Igbale for further ceremonies.
On the third day known as Ojo
Ita all Egunguns in Ikirun would comes out. There are two types of Egungun in Ikirun. The first group are the Egungun Ilu
otherwise known as Eegun Olore. They do whip on one another to entertain people. These include Doodika (Sika), Orogun meji,
Labinkolo, Yemoja, and Yerepe. The second category is the Egungun Oje. They are masquerades who performs magical acts
(Idan) to entertain
people. These include Owolewa, Eyeba, Alagbaa and Eyefo-odo.
On the seventh day (Ijo Ije), Chief
Ojomu and Olota do feast the Egunguns, celebrants and other traditional chiefs. They prepare meals such as pounded yam and
egusi soup. All Egunguns come out and pay homage to Akinrun and his Chiefs at the palace. The Egunguns will entertain the
Oba and the Chiefs and thereafter offer prayer for Akinrun. As part of the ceremony, the masquerades proceed to the central
market, near the Akinruns palace where they entertain the townfolks by blessing the artisans, traders and market men and women.
The people in turn give present such as kolanut and money to all the masquerades.
IKIRUN DAY CELEBRATION
The idea
behind Ikirun Day Celebration was the outcome or aftermath of a meeting of all Clubs in Ikirun which took place in December,
1991.
The main objectives or purpose of Ikirun Day Celebration are as follows:
First, to give the indigenes of Ikirun
an opportunity to get acquaninted with the progress that their town has made so far, its problems and aspirations, and therefore
make an assessment of the areas which various clubs and associations could be of help, financially and morally to the historic
town.
Secondly, Ikirun Day Celebration is an occasion of re-union. The Day is celebrated so as to generate rapport among
Ikirun indigines by bringing them together in a carnival-like atmosphere, at least once a year.
Thirdly, to bring home
Ikirun indigenes who sojourn in far away places without coming home for many years.
Fourthly, the Day is also set aside
to generate and raise funds for the developmental projects e.g. building of modern palace for Akinrun.
Lastly, to invite
visitors, investors outsiders and friends to Ikirun in order to know the indigines and appreciate the beauty and culture of
the township.
The first Ikirun Day came up on the 18th April, 1992 at Akinorun Grammar School premises, Ikirun. The Day
was preceded by prayers in the mosques and churches, symposium and paying of homage to Kabiyesi by the people of Ikirun at
home and abroad.
DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS NEEDED AT IKIRUN
1. Construction of more classrooms in our primary and secondary
schools.
2. Expansion of market stalls
3. Citing of small scale industries
4. Provision of street lights in Ikirun
5. Repairs of broken water pipes in the town
6. Rehabilitation and tarring of existing township roads.
7. Erection
of roundabout at Oba Adedeji market
8. Provision of recreational facilities
9. Establishment of higher institution
of learning
10. Equiping the Ikirun Library with current books and computers.
11. Efficient distribution of mail in
Ikirun
12. Establishment of more banks
13. Construction of Cultural Center
14. Construction of a Stadium
15.
Award of Scholarship to indigines
16. Renovation of Townhall.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND REFERENCES
IKIRUN A
TOWN IN OSUN STATE, NIGERIA By Taye Olasunkanmi Bello, Adeolu Printing Press, Adenuga Gbongan. Osun State, Nigeria. 1st edition,
1997. Printed in Nigeria.
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