For, Ijebu-Igbo, a town boasting of rich history, distinct features and many unique characteristics, it is a new beginning. The good and industrious people of the town, for close to 3 decades had been without a King, who should be a symbol of unity and progress. This was enough to make them despondent, but they chose to trade in hopes. Today, it has paid off, with the crowning of His Royal Majesty, Oba Lawrence Jaiyeoba Adebajo, Ojuromi VI as the new Orimolusi of ljebu-Igbo.
Reputed to cover a space of 967 km (373 sq m) with a population of 284,336, according to 2006 Census figures, the current estimate of the population of ljebu- Igbo now hover around 470,000 people. Bounded to the North by Oluyole Local Government in Oyo State, in the West by Ijebu-East Local Government, in the South by Ijebu-North East, Odogbolu and Ijebu Ode Local Government and in the East by Ikenne Local Government along with boundaries with Osun and Ondo States, Ijebu-Igbo can be described as a land flowing with milk and honey. With hundreds of villages and hamlets under Ijebu-Igbo including the vast farmland covering areas like Idi Oparun, Ganrigan and many others, the majority of the people engage in substantive farming; Garri, Palm Oil, Cocoa, Kolanut, Orange, Bamboo Stick, Yam and Breadfruit among the most common farm produce that Ijebu-Igbo farmers ferry to the markets on selected market days.
The town is also famous for being one of the notable locations of professional meat butchers, widely known as Alapata.’ Indeed, Ijebu- Igbo is a town also notable for the distribution and supply of cow meat to towns within and around Ijebu land as well as far-flung places like Epe, Ajah, Sagamu, Ketu, Bariga, and many other areas in Lagos. The ancient town also boasts of over 30 ponmo-making (cow skin) industries from where many areas in Lagos State, Oyo State and other parts of Ogun State get their supplies on regular basis. It is now even processed for export. Another distinct characteristic is that the Ijebu-Igbo Forest Reserve, which is called the Omo Forest Reserve, is among the 12 biggest forest reserves in Nigeria. There is a bit of controversy on whether Malaysia came to seek and actually take palm trees from Nigeria decades back for the Asian country to boost its palm oil production but what is not in doubt is the fact that Apoje Farms has been known around the country as a veritable resource location in the Palm Oil Production chain. And according to many in the agricultural sector, this was the point from where the coveted West African species of palm trees were taken and handed over to the Malaysians. This is how Apoje, which is now undergoing rehabilitation, got on the global map. Evidence abounds of the presence of solid minerals, granite and other natural resources that are yet untapped in Ijebu-Igbo. Now, it is the beginning of a new dawn. Let our industries begin to grow and thrive.
His Royal Majesty, Alaiyeluwa Oba Lawrence Jaiyeoba Adebajo, Ojuromi VI, may your reign be peaceful and prosperous.
Research and writing by Adedayo Odulaja, Seyi Taiwo-Oguntuase, Alh. Prince Misbaudeen Shefiu. Al-Ameery.
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