Egbe Bobagbimo (Okunrin) Akile Ijebu is an age-grade group meant for sons of Ijebu-Ode and its environs born between 1st January, 1953 – 31st December, 1955. This age-grade group is the birth right of all sons of Ijebuland born between the aforementioned age bracket. However, any intending member has to meet some terms and conditions attached to the membership of the Egbe as dictated by the Constitution guiding the Egbe.
Egbe Bobagbimo (Okunrin) Akile Ijebu is one of the numerous age group created by the Awujale of Ijebuland. These age groups have been created as far back in the 18th century. The activities of the age groups got moribund at a stage due to the dominant presence of Obanta Day Celebration. It was tile incumbent Awujale, Oba (Dr) Sikiru Kayode Adetona (CFR) that resuscitated the age long group and added the much needed colour to its activities thus making it an envious outing to other towns and villages.
However, the idea to put Egbe Bobagbimo (Okunrin) Akile Ijebu in place was actually mooted by a small group-of friends less than Twenty (20) in 1996.
They held their first meeting at ROTAKS CLUB, Abeokuta Road, Ijebu-Ode where it was decided by the few of them to start inviting people of like minds having known ourselves from our Primary/Secondary School days.
Along the line, meetings are held at both Ijebu-Ode Club and Canny Hotel, Mushin, Lagos for those residing in Ijebu-Ode and Lagos respectively.
In October, 1999, the first ever election of the Egbe came to life during which late Alhaji Abdul Lateef Abayomi Alli-Oke emerged as the 1st Giwa Egbe, ably assisted by Chief (Dr) Fassy Adetokunbo Yusuf (Ph.D) and Engr. Fatai Olaitan Odumosu as Otun and Osi Giwa respectively. The first elected General Secretary of the Egbe is late Gbimo ‘Kunle Ashiru.
Baba Egbe – Otunba (Amb) Emmanuel Olufemi Fowora and Iya Egbe-Chief (Mrs) Olabisi Ayinke Akindele formally led members to received its royal blessing and recognition from the Awujale & Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba (Dr) Sikiru Kayode Adetona (CFR) on Saturday, 20th November, 1999 with a membership strength of over One Hundred (100).
Along the line, the Egbe was faced with some challenges in 2001 which later resulted in the Egbe replacing its Giwa Egbe during when Otunba Fredrick Ayodeji Osibogun was unanimously elected in April, 2004. The installation of the new Giwa coincide with the official opening of the renovated of Etitale Police Post by the Egbe.
To date, membership of the Egbe stood at One Hundred and Seventy-Eight (178).
CHALLENGES
Egbe Bobagbimo (Okunrin) Akile Ijebu is one of the foremost age grade in Ijebuland. As a group, we have witnessed so many teething problems and challenges, but to the glory of God, we have been able to surmount them due to dint of hard work, perseverance and above all, individual and collective prayers.
The most outstanding challenge which nearly scattered the Egbe happened in the year 2004 when the pioneer Giwa Egbe – Late Giwa Abdul Lateef Abayomi Alli-Oke got entangled in a case abroad which necessitated his removal and eventual replacement with Giwa Fredrick Ayodeji Osibogun on Saturday, 17th July, 2004.
ACHIEVEMENTS
The Annual Ojude Oba celebration is an age long tradition. This annual event is usually being witnessed by guests across the globe.
Since its inception, Egbe Bobagbimo (Okunrin) Akile Ijebu has always been duly represented in its preparation and eventual actualization.
We have always been participating in all standing committees put in place for the preparation of the epoch making occasion.
To God be the glory, our Otun Giwa, who doubles as the Baagbimo of Ijebuland, Chief (Dr) Fassy Adetokunbo Yusuf (Ph.D) has been co-ordinating the affairs of the Ojude Oba for over two decades ago.
He has succeeded in adding the much needed colour and glamour to the annual event. Again, one of our members – Gbimo Basheer Olasimbo Alli has been appointed the Chairman of Ojude Oba 2018 Inter Regberegbe Council Planning Committee.
We make bold to say that Egbe Bobagbimo (Okunrin) Akile Ijebu won the 1st prize in the Inter Regberegbe (Male) Parade Competition in 2014 with a cash prize of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000) and a giant Trophy. Again, in 2016, we came first while in 2017, we came 2nd.
Also, Egbe Bobagbimo is a house hold name within Awujale Palace.
Some of our notable members are very close to the corridors of power within the Palace,
In the year 2011, Egbe Bobagbimo (Okunrin) Akile Ijebu succeeded in securing a Permanent Secretariat for the Egbe with the purchase of a 4-Bedroom Bungalow situated at Plot HC3, Tam Balogun Street, GRA, Igbeba, Ijebu-Ode. To us, this is a rare feat within the comity of Regberegbes in Ijebuland.
The Egbe has also provided two (2) functioning Boreholes at the Etitale Police Post which was completely rehabilitated by the Egbe in 2004. (See separate write up on this rehabilitation). Boreholes were also provided at Gboguja area of Ijebu-Ode being the family home of the Giwa Egbe. All these were done to commemorate Otunba ‘Deji Osibogun’s installation as the Giwa Egbe in 2004.
Lastly, four (4) of our esteemed members are by the grace of God, Otunbas and Chiefs of Awujale. To us once again, this is a great achievement.
VISION
We have a vision that our Egbe shall excel and that Ijebuland shall continue to set the pace for other ethnic groups in Nigeria.
Above all, we believe our Grand Patron being a Royal Role Model shall continue to be a source of inspiration and the grand custodian of our cultural heritage.
We see success on our path-indeed, we anticipate success all through, with a combination of positive efforts.
OUR MISSION
We sons of Ijebuland born between 1st of January, 1953 and 31st of December, 1955 otherwise known and addressed as Egbe Bobagbimo (Okunrin), Akile Ijebu with the Royal Blessing & Traditional Recognition of our Grand Patron, Alaiyeluwa Oba (Dr.) S. K. Adetona, CFR, J. P., set for ourselves, the following mission: • To promote mutual relationship among members • To promote and sustain the tradition, customs, culture and identity of Ijebu • To give succour to each other as much as possible when in need and to rejoice with each other when there is cause to do so • To promote economic, social and education
development of the people of Ijebuland and Nigeria in general in concert with other age groups, societies, clubs and bodies with similar aims and objectives.
HOW THEY REHABILITATED ETITALE POLICE STATION, IJEBU ODE
The Etitale Police Station was vandalised and abandoned following the fracas occasioned by the unjust annulment of June 12, 1993 Presidential Election. Since then, nobody nor institution has thought of rehabilitating this edifice meant for the efficient and effective policing of the community. The idea to rehabilitate the Police Station by Egbe Bobagbimo (Okunrin) Akile Ijebu was mooted by Gbimo Fatai Banjo (Koleru) having listened to the yearnings and aspirations of the people on the urgent need to rehabilitate the police post; and being the eyes and ears of the Egbe. He approached the then Ag. Giwa of Egbe Bobagbimo (Okunrin}, Akile Ijebu, Gbimo (Chief) Fassy Yusuf in August 2003, who bought the idea but cautioned that the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba (Dr.) S. K Adetona, J.P. CFR, must be consulted with a view to receiving his blessing before embarking on the project.
The acting Giwa,Chief FassyYusuf thereafter visited the Awujale and discussed the issue with him. The Awujale promptly gave his blessings for the commencement of the project. Egbe Bobangbimo {Okunrin) Akile Ijebu then went into consultation with the police authorities with
a view to briefing them on our level of commitment to the proposed project.
The Police Station was in a critical and acute state of vandalisation and abandonment. We had to commence the rehabilitation from the scratch with the reordering and replacement of virtually all items just like commencing the building of a new police station. In all, we have expended to date, a total sum of N3.5m on the rehabilitation of the Etitale Police station which we are now privileged to witness its commissioning today.
We have also donated a complete set of Computer with Printer to the Police Station for the upkeep of Police records. Meanwhile, efforts are still in top gear to provide more facilities to the Police Station including a Borehole, Communication Gadgets and office furniture.
