Omido
History Of Omido.
OMIDO is one the early agrarian settlements with her rich cultural heritage in the ancient times in Yoruba land founded at about 17th Century. This is evident and shown by the mighty walls which surrounded the settlement, the relics of these walls can be seen till today.
OMIDO is one of the prominent towns in Eku-Apa land in Igbomina land Ajasse Ward II of Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State and can be accessed through three major routes, viz:
- Through Oro-Esie-Arandun.
- Through Ila Orangun-Arandun or Omu Aran-Rore-Arandun-Oro.
- Through Agbamu to Omido.
OMIDO, AGBONDA AND ERIN-ILE
The History of Omido is interwoven with that of Agbonda because the two communities have tha same and common crowned ancestor or progenitor, Oganogbodo Akereyaso who was a Prince of Obalufon Alayamore – the first son of Olofin, the direct descendant of Oduduwa.
-History recalled that Prince Oganogbodo Akereyaso, like other Princes, left Ile-Ife at about 1225 AD in order to establish the use of his royal heritage bequeathed to him with the Yoruba Empire. These heritage include but not limited to the beaded crown, “Ade”, “Staff of Officer”, “Opa Opaga”, “Cowtail” dressed with “Irukere Akun”, “expensive regal attires” amongst others.
SOJOURN DURING MIGRATION:
-Among the Princes who left Ile-Ife at the same time included Prince Masa Apayi Yogun. The duo settled and sojourned at different locations spanning centuries during migration and as Ifa Oracle directed until they got to a location of present day Erinmo and Iba, both in Osun State. They both parted ways with their entourage at a place called Odo Iwo steam where the Ifa Oracle directed that Prince Oganogbodo Akereyaso to move eastwards while Prince Masa Apayi Yogun to move westwards. The former who moved eastwards first settled in Igbo Nla (thick forest) and not the same Igbonla Eju of this day and further moved to Ibare Apa where he became the first King, The Alapa of Eku-Apa land while the latter who moved westwards settled finally at Erin-Ile and also became King and both ruled over their subjects.
LIST OF OTHER PRINCES WHO LEFT ILE-IFE ALMOST AT THE SAME TIME:
- Akarigbo of Ijebu Remo – Ogun State
- Osile Oke-Ona in Abeokuta – Ogun State
- Deji of Akure- Ondo State
- Olujumu of Ijumuland – Kogi State
- Owa Obokun of Ijesha land – Osun State
- Orangun Ila – Osun State
- Elekole of Ikole Ekiti – Ekiti State.
REIGN OF OBA OGANOGBODO AKEREYASO:
OBA Oganogbodo Akereyaso gave birth to two sons-Prince Awurela and Prince Egboro Oyedun. After the death of their father, they decided to move away from Ibare Apa due to acute shortage of durable water, a process their father started before his death. He was buried at Ibare Apa in Eku Apa land.
Prince Egboro Oyedun and his entourage moved to Osin River side while his brother, Prince Awurela moved and settled at a lower part, north of the same Osin River. Idi Emidodoro was later translated to Omido.
Prince Egboro Oyedun later became the first Oba Alapa of Eku Apa land using his bequeathed royal heritage.
UNWRITTEN AGREEMENT BETWEEN PRINCE EGBORO OYEDUN AND PRINCE AWURELA
-PRINCE Awurela and Prince Egboro Oyedun agreed between themselves of rotational ascension to the Alapa stool. This arrangement continued until 1983 when the two communities agreed to have a written Agreement between themselves. However in 2007 the Kwara State Government decentralized the throne of Alapaship to each community. Under the former arrangement, a total number of 23 ( Twenty Three) Oba Alapa of Eku Apa land were enthroned and reigned.
THE FALL OF OMIDO:
-BEFORE the war, Omido was intact, protected and fortified by the historic fenced walls surrounding the town with more than 140 (One hundred and forty) big compounds covering more than two kilometer square. With the enemies surrounded the town and hunger took over all the inhabitants, the gate it the town was flung open to the enemies and they killed and maimed while some who escaped from the onslaught scattered to both far and near places. Some escaped to Ogbomosho, Ijero Ekiti, Iba, Ora, Ipole Iloro in Ekiti State, Ijagbo, Omu Aran, Ijara Isin, Oke Onigbin and other places.
THE OBA ALAPA-IN-COUNCIL:
HIS Royal Majesty, Oba John Adegboyega Adeyemi, Ilufemiloye Amuyunbole II, promoted to a Third Class Status in 2018, ascended the throne in 2007. His Council of Chiefs include The Bale, The High Chiefs, The Lower Chiefs and the War Chiefs. The Council is blessed and are supported by eminent sons, daughters and friends, some who are captains of industries and influential personalities were honored with Chieftaincy titles.
RULING HOUSES AT OMIDO.
There are four Ruling Houses at Omido which are rotational to the throne of Alapa and they are:
1) Ile Oba Amuyunbole.
2) Ile Oba Aretuwole/ Ile Olowa.
3) Ile Oba Eniaiyewu/ Ile Olomu.
4) Ile Oba Odundun Arojojoye/ Ile Ejisun
RELIGION AT OMIDO:
CHRISTIANITY was first brought to Omido in 1918 by Mr Samuel Onifade of the Anglican Communion from Otan Aiyegbaju, Osun State and quite a large number of people embraced same, got converted and baptized. Christianity became the way to civilization and Western education. The children of those converted started going to school and to the Glory of God, Professors, Doctors, Engineers, Lawyers, Judges and all professional from all human endeavors are products of this religion. Majority of Omido are Christians. Apart from the Anglican Communion, other denominations emerged and they too have their fellowships.
-MR Kadiri Jolayemi brought the Islamic religion to Omido and in like manner a host of other people embraced it and got converted. Islam is the second largest religion.
The traditionalists are not left behind and they too are doing great.
TRADITIONAL ALAPA COUNCIL KNOWN AS OTIN OGUMO:
THE Alapa-In-Council holds the traditional “Otin Ogumo” every Seventeeth days intervals. Critical and classified issues are discussed while traditional tenets are upheld. In the olden days only the seniors of the High Chiefs attended the meeting but now liberalized.
FOOD WE LOVE AT OMIDO:
OMIDO is well known for her high level of hospitality to visitors and less privileged.
The major food and delicacies are Pounded Yam and Mushroom ( Iyan ati obe ogogo).
ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF “ORO OBALUFON” OR ILAWA FESTIVAL
THIS is the major festival of the year hosted by Oba Alapa and ably supported by the other three Ruling Houses.
It is an annual festival commemorating the beginning of a new year and usually performed in the month of March when the rain starts. Unlike the olden days, the festival is always colorful with funfare, drumming and dancing, lots of different delicacies, renewal of pledge and loyalty to the Oba. The town crier announces of seventeenth day for the final day activities cumulating in the cutting of “Iwa” with a stroke of the sword.
It is essential to note the rituals associated with the deity of Obalufon are always carried out by the priest known as Aworo who is always installed by Oba Alapa. The present Aworo is Chief Omuyadun Jimoh.
COMMUNITIES AND SETTLEMENTS IN OMIDO:
- Aworo
- Obe
- Joojo
- Ojomu
- Oyate
- Onila
- Adelakun
- Araromi Eyeba
- Oke-Offa
- Ago Inisha
- Gaa Arimoro
COMMUNITIES OMIDO SHARED BOUNDARIES WITH:
1) Arandun
2) Ila Orangun
3) Oyan
4) Igosun
5) Erin – Ile at Oke Agunbelewo.
DEVELOPMENTS IN OMIDO:
OMIDO is a self developed Community like most other others in Kwara State.
We acknowledge that Christianity brought civilization and physical development in Omido. Specifically cooperation between Omido and Arandun
Evolved the establishment of the Ara United School, Omido/Arandun in 1945 where many of our children received their early and basic education. Most of these children became highly educated and opinion molders in their different disciplines of life.
- The establishment of Community Primary School and Community Secondary School respectively in 1975 and 2010.
- Construction of the Central Market.
- Street light commissioned on the 11th April 2004.
- The magnificent Federal Government National Primary Health Care Development Agency commissioned on 22nd December 2006 and many others.