OGUN STATE IN PERSPECTIVE

Ogun State was created on February 3rd, 1976, during the Military era which had General Muritala Mohammed as the Head of State. The State is situated in the South-Western part of Nigeria and derived its name after the popular Ogun River which runs through from North to South.

                Ogun State comprises of the Remos, Ijebus, Yewas and the Egbas. The Ogun River which runs through Abeokuta, Isheri, Berger and Ikorodu in Lagos State carved out Lagos from Ogun State. Lagos State is just forty minutes drive to Abeokuta the Capital of Ogun State, an hour drive to Ibadan the capital of the neighbouring State of Oyo.

                The RIYE roundabout is a popular roundabout showcasing the unity of the three major roads that link the four cities called Ogun State. The Roundabout  which is known to many as INTER-CHANGE IS RIYE Roundabout meaning REMO, IJEBU, YEWA AND EGBA. Perhaps from inter-change to Abeokuta is just twenty minutes drive, to Ijebu-Ode is also twenty to twenty five minutes drive, to Yewa its forty minute drive, while to Sagamu is just seven minutes drive. The Capital of Ogun-State was placed in Abeokuta the 7⁰ 9, 39N, 3⁰ 20’ 54” E/7.16083⁰N on the Ogun River, 48 miles (77km) North of Lagos by Railway or 81 miles by water. As of 2005 Abeokuta and the surrounding area had a population of 593,140. Ogun State Census as at 2006 was put at 2,338,570.  Abeokuta lies on a fertile land, the surface of which is broken by masses of grey granite stoned that spread over an extensive area being surrounded by mud walls.  Palm oil, Timber, Rubber, Yam and Shea-butter are the chief article of trade. It lies below the Olumo Rock, home to several caves and shrines, the town depend on the Oyan River for its water supply, which is not always dependable.

                The original Settlers of Abeokuta were of Egba Nation, later some members of other Yoruba clans came to the settlement in July/August 1830 after the collapse of Oyo Empire and the Yoruba indigenes subsequent descent in warfare. Here they formed a free confederacy of many district groups, each preserving the traditions, customs, religions rites and the names of their original villages. Many Egbas lived in the City of Abeokuta the Capital of Ogun State. Baptist and Anglican Missionaries from Great Britain began to serve the area in the 19^th century. In 1851 and 1864, the force of Abeokuta defeated Dahomian Slaves Raiders in 1893; the Egba United Government, based in Abeokuta was recognized by the government of United Kingdom. In 1914 Abeokuta was made part of Nigeria by the British, before the creation of State. Yoruba was grouped as Western Region while Ibadan was the administrative headquarter and Chief Obafemi Awolowo an indigene of Ijebu-Ikenne was the Premier of the Region. During the reign of General Muritala Mohammed the creation of State was proposed which Ijebu land was lucky to mention among others at the influence of Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Unfortunately General Muritala Mohammed the then Head of State was assassinated by “Lt. Col. Buka Suka Dimka”. However, General Olusegun Obasanjo a distinguished son of Egbaland took over the reins of power as the Head of State and Commander in Chief of Armed Forces of Nigeria consequently announced Ogun State capital in favour of Egba (Abeokuta) instead of Ijebu as concluded by his boss, but a decree ruling system, which no one can tackle. Though, before Independence those major cities were in existence but stood separately, they have many communities and villages. Each community practice a system called “Monarchy” The king ruled and he has the final say, though each king has Chiefs or Executives that served as advisers to the King.

Kingship was achieved through three major ways:-

i.                     Through war: In the olden days war was rampant and the powerful ones through force would take possession of everything so as to become the Commander most especially land acquisition, once they invade a particular land and conquered the King or the leader of that tribe, they would take over the land after which a new King would be enthroned or the conqueror would made himself the King and his generation to generation would continue to rule, just like Ilorin in Kwara State that is why some Royal Families eulogize themselves as “AJAGUN GBADE” (WARLORD).

ii.                   Through skill or privilege: Sometimes best achievers in the Community may gain the post of Kingship and become a king from generation to generation, he would eventually compel the poor and provide for their needs at a time and bring them under his control. However, they would voluntarily choose him to be their leader without opposition.

iii.                  The first person to migrate to one area may become a King or Chief of that place because he knows the history of that particular area and through the support of others, he may be appointed as their Leader or King.