THE HISTORY AND ORIGIN OF ILOBU

ILOBU, the headquarters of Irepodun Local Government of Osun State, has a chequered history; it is an ancient Town with a remarkable history. The site of llobu had been occupied since the 16th century. Ilobu was founded by Laarosin, a native of Oyo who was a great hunter and undoubtedly, the expeditions were no easy tasks. On one such occasion, he went as far as Iregba, where he stayed for some time.

 Guided by his oracle, Laarosin finally settled on a virgin land later known as llobu. He engaged in farming and hunting. His activities soon attracted people from far and near. A substitute salt called ‘OBU-O-TOYO’ was discovered at the site. It was a mineral people needed. Traders and travellers started referring to the settlement as ILU-OBU-O- OTOYO. It was from the mineral that llobu derived its name.

 The accommodating nature of Laarosin (and his descendants) enhanced the town’s growth. His fame as a more excellent hunter, warrior and diviner soon spread far and near; hence, more people settled with him. The town equally served as a place where traders and travellers could rest.

 Ilobu was in the ‘IBOLO’ Province of Yoruba proper. Ilobu was one of the four provinces of Yoruba proper. Others were Ekun Otun, Ekun Osi and Epo. These provinces were created by Oyo lle, founded by the Famous Oranmiyan, a grandson of Odudua. The founding father of llobu, Laarosin, was from the ancient City (Oyo Ile). The important towns in the Ibolo province (as mentioned by the famous historian Rev. Samuel Johnson) were Iresa, llobu, Ofa, Oyan, Okuku, Ikirun, Ido and Ejigbo.

 In the 19th Century of the present day, Nigeria, a series of civil wars plagued the Yoruba Country. Ilobu was affected in more than one way. A newly appointed Balogun of Ibadan was directed to attack llobu. The bravery, the diplomacy of the people of llobu and the support of Elepo, an Ibadan warrior, saved the situation. The Ilobu warriors warded off the impending attack.

It features prominently in the oral tradition of llobu that the town was never conquered nor sacked by any groups of enemies. No wonder there is only one ILOBU, unlike some other towns, which require appellations to distinguish one from the others.

 Written records show that llobu served as a war camp in the last century. As a war strategy, the town was walled, evidence of which can be seen today. The attack being carried out by the Fulani warriors in the mid-1 9th Century into the Yoruba Country created feelings of insecurity. To check the attack by the Fulanis/ llorins, the Ibadan warriors, under the leadership of Chief Akintola, set up a war camp at llobu. The Ibadans found among the people of llobu brave allies.

When an Ilu-Aro, a town behind llobu, was conquered by the Fulanis (llorins), Chief Akintola gathered his Soldiers and chased and intercepted them (Fulanis) as they returned with captives and booty. The Fulanis lost many men and war materials while the victorious Soldiers returned triumphantly to llobu. Feelings of security prevailed in the atmosphere of the town of llobu. No wonder the royal family of Ifon-Osun, one of the llobu’s immediate neighbouring towns, had to leave IBALE to request a place closer to llobu town for settlement, and Olobu granted the request.

A group of refugees from Erin-lle (who came during the wake of Fulani wars) noticed a safe atmosphere at llobu requesting from Olobu a place for settlement. Olugbobamu of Gbomamu in Ilobu, acting on the directive of Olobu, granted their leader, Oba Oyagbodun, a place for settlement on his family land.

The eminent position of llobu, coupled with its long and unbroken history, is reflected in the number of FIRSTS. It has growth and development compared with the other two adjacent towns (Communities) of Ifon Osun and Erin -Osun.

The FIRST customary court, which served the people of llobu, Ifon- Osun and Erin–Osun, was established in 1924. The FIRST school serving about five towns, including Ifon-Osun and Erin- Osun was built at llobu in 1928. The school was called United Central School, llobu. It later became the FIRST Secondary Modern School in the area in 1955. It has since become a Secondary Grammar School named St. Paul’s Grammar School, llobu. The FIRST Secondary Grammar School ~n the communities, llobu Secondary Commercial Grammar School, was built in llobu 1972.

Despite modern civilisation, the religions of Islam and Christianity, traces of the past glory of llobu still abound.

The FIRST Central Mosque, which served the three Muslim Communities of llobu Ifon-Osun & Erin- Osun, was built at llobu in 1845. The Chief Imam was based in llobu, from where he issued religious directives to the subordinates in Ifon and Erin from time to time. Only in 1923 could Ifon afford to establish their Central mosque and stop coming to llobu to offer Friday Jumat prayers.

The FIRST Church served the three communities and was built in llobu in 1909 called St. Michael’s Church, llobu. Christianity was brought to the Communities from Ghana by one Pa. Josiah Ogundele, a llobu man.

 Modernism has not robbed llobu of its leading and eminent position. The position could be recognised and respected. A well-equipped Library was built by the llobu Community in 1960. A lot of students from the two adjacent towns benefited from it. The Library served as a precursor to the ones established by Local Government for the three neighbouring towns. The local government took over the said llobu community library without compensation.

The FIRST Postal Agency in this area was established in llobu in 1951. It reminded the other towns to struggle for theirs. When it was upgraded to a District Head Office, the others started working on upgrading their Postal Agencies.

The number of FIRST scores by llobu extends to Higher Education. The FIRST University Graduate from the Communities of llobu, Ifon-Osun and Erin-Osun came from llobu. Thanks God. The historical figure is still alive. The formation of a student union by students of tertiary Institutions in llobu in 1991 led to the establishment of similar bodies in the other adjacent towns.

 REFERENCES:

Oral Traditions

Late Prince D Solagbade Araoye, Pre-Colonial History of Ilobu – A unique project submitted to the Department of History and Archaeology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for a bachelor of Arts degree, June 1974;

The Rev. Samuel Johnson, The History of the Yorubas.