Last week, the leadership of the Agbekoya Society of Nigeria visited the City People office in Gbagada, Lagos. The team was led by the President-General of the Union, Aare Kamorudeen Okikiola Aremu. Group of Farmers, included Member of Iwarefa, Chief Sunday Ayeni-Agbaakin; Agbekoya National Secretary, Chief Dr. Adegbenro Ogunlana, Agbekoya National Treasurer, Chief Ajibola Salau; and Agbekoya National Protocol, Bishop Timothy Dada Abisoye.
Let’s also tell you about the Agbekoya Executives (The Exco). They are Chief Aare Aremu Okikiola Kamorudeen; President-General; Dr. Prince Adegbenro Ogunlana, Nat. Sec. Gen; Mr. Ajibola Salau, Nat. Treasurer; Chief Bamidele Olatunji, Nat. P.R.O., Chief Oludimu Olufemi, Nat. Chairman; Chief Alh. Sulaiman Adebanke, Nat. Adviser; Dr. Agboola Samson, Nat. Admin Officer; Mr. Wale Jimoh, Nat. Security Officer; Barrister Taiwo Hassan, Legal Officer; Hon. Tunde Oniya, Nat. Organising Officer; Bishop Timothy Dada Abisoye, Nat. Protocol Officer.
Recently, Chief Dr. Adegbenro Moses Ogunlana, the National Secretary of Agbekoya revealed the historical background of the Agbekoya Farmers Union.
“The Nigeria Union of Hunter and Farmers was formed in 1938 by a group of farmers and Hunter’s in Ibadanland (The then capital of the defunct Western region) presently the capital of Oyo State, Nigeria.
The main objective of the union was the cooperative system of farming, popularly called “Aaro” in the Yoruba nation, to cater for the interest and welfare of the farmers and Hunter’s in Yorubaland. They also taught themselves herbalism. Some prominent amongst them were late Chief Emmanuel Ayorinde, Pa Ogunjimi, Pa. Ajibolade, Chief Awopeju Bogunmbe, High Chief Agbomeji, Chief Tafa Adeoye, Balogun Ayalu, Pa Jalaruru, Chief, Abidiege, Pa. Ajimuda, Pa Ikudaisi, Pa Chief Ejigbomekun, and others.
Late Emmanuel Ayorinde was installed as their leader, First Baale Agbe. He ran the affair of Union till 1964, he voluntarily retired at the age of 115 years and died in the year 1973.
Olubadan Oba Abbas Aleshinloye was the founding Patron and Chief Pa Obafemi Awolowo, the former Premier of the defunct Western region became the Patron of the union in 1957. Late Chief Tafa Adeoye was installed in 1964 and he became second Baale Egbe, after the retirement of Chief Pa Emmanuel Ayorinde.
“Some experienced amongst them are still practicing Herbalism in order to advance Traditional Medicine in the Yoruba nation”, he revealed.
“Chief Tafa Adeoye later changed the leadership title to Aare, President General. During his tenure, the then government decided to reduce the price of Cocoa and imposed Tax on women folks between 1967- 1968. The union stood against the decision. Many lives and properties were destroyed on both sides. The then government under Military Administrator, General Adeyinka Adebayo, invited Chief Obafemi Awolowo to negotiate with the union. After normalcy, the union was banned and it was renamed, The Agbekoya Society, the first human rights organization in Nigeria. The Union, a self-determination group, runs it affair from Contributions from members and well wishers donors. After the incident that led the leader of the group Chief Pa Tafa Adeoye out of the system, Chief Pa Awopeju Bogunmbe was installed as the 3rd leader. He ran the affairs of the group called Agbekoya Society and he became Aare Agbekoya Worldwide. He voluntarily retired and handed over to the present Aare Agbekoya Worldwide, in the person of Aare Kamorudeen Aremu Okikiola.
Today, under the reign of Aare Kamorudeen Aremu Okikiola, the group was registered with C. A.C Abuja and now underwent a transformation and rebranding process in order to embark on “large scale mechanized and commercial farming”. In views of this Agbekoya Farmers Association was registered as an offshoot of the Agbekoya Society.
The association covered almost all states in Nigeria with a population of 3 million-plus members but he still maintains the social group for freedom, human rights, herbalism, and security. The membership of Agbekoya society is limited to Yorubas.
