Published by: Bilesanmi Abayomi
“MOYEGESO” is the ROYAL TITLE of the “IJEBU ITELE KINGDOM” The holder is officially addressed as the “MOYEGESO OF ITELE” was a crowned ruler whose power came from the homeland (IDEWON QUARTERS) of the IJEBU-ODE and officially recognized – gazetted by the Chiefs Law of Ogun State under Legal Notice Number OGSLN 8 of 1990.
There are Two Ruling Houses and the identify of each such Ruling House.The Order of rotation in which the respectfve Ruling House are entitled to present Candidates to fill successive vacancy in the Chieftaincy shall be:
- Adeyoruwa Ruling House
- Ishagbola Ruling House (Present Ruling House)
BRIEF HISTORY OF IJEBU-ITELE.
“IJEBU-ITELE” is a Town in the Ogun State of Nigeria about 286 Miles collection of various Village – hamlets are located in the Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State. It is situated around Km 200 on the Lagos-Benin Expressway.
“IJEBU ITELE KINGDOM” traced her history through the historical journey to “IJEBU-ODE” of a PRINCE from ILE-IFE call SOKANLU also known as OGBOROGANIJA now called AWUJALE OF IJEBU-LAND with his best companion, a BEADED CROWN KING from ISA KINGDOM whose name was OLUYE OKUWA OBANLA now address as OGU’JA OLU-ISA (OLISA) of IJEBU-ODE with a large numbers of his subjects, that formed retinue of his entourage among whom were his Chiefs after crossing OSUN RIVER (OSUN GBOROWO), stayed in ITELE for some years over there. They also briefly stopped at a settlement of inhabited by people, first at “OKEBU” and later in “OBUTA”. OKEBU axis was incontrovertible under the royal authority and control by Ogu’ja Olu-Isa (Olisa) of Ijebu, ably assisted by his Chiefs headed by OLOWA now known “OLOWA MODISA OF IJEBU-ODE” (THE REAL OLOWA). As it was decided upon that the entourage should continue with the sojourn by IFA ORACLE consultation they arrived at Ijebu-Land, precisely at ODO-ORISA (ODO-ESHA) a place that known as “GATE” to Ijebu-Land, under the controls of a woman (priest) knows as “ERELU OKUFOWOKE” who was an offspring of OSHIMORE from “IWADE QUARTERS” who finally settled in Ijebu-Ode.
OLUYE OKUWA OBANLA became the first OBA OF IJEBU-ODE. He was later ranked as second in COMMAND to the AWUJALE OF IJEBU-LAND, by Colonial rogues. It was on records that SOKANLU OGBOROGANIJA NOW CALLED AWUJALE OF IJEBU-LAND presided over the”AJO OWA” a council that over see the oaths taken procedures, now known as the IJEBU DIVISIONAL COUNCIL. While OLUYE OKUWA OBANLA as OBA OF IJEBU-ODE presided over the AJO-ILU also known as IJEBU DISTRICT COUNCIL, the true ruler of Ijebu country ably assisted by the contributions of the “ILAMUREN”, a revered custom that is still maintain till date.
When SOKANLU OGBOROGANIJA NOW CALLED AWUJALE in the companionship of OLUYE OKUWA OBANLA now called OGU’JA OLU-ISA (OLISA) OF IJEBU-ODE, were to leave OKEBU and OBUTA some of their followers were asked to remain there. As the settlement(Ijebu Itele) grow, prosper there was need for a HEAD in accordance with the tradition of the Land, a prince – MOYEGESO was chosen to for the leadership role during the reign of AWUJALE “RUBAKOYE”, (one of the three females that ever became Awujale, they had at one time or the other reigned as Ogu’ja Olu-Isa (OLISA) of Ijebu. The mother – RUBAKOYE of ‘MOYEGESO” reigned as Ogu’ja Olu-Isa (Olisa) of Ijebu before being made to occupy Awujale Stool!
He “MOYEGESO” left Ijebu-Ode and settled in ITELE, as OTUNBA “ODO’LE” (A G’ODO) from where he exercised suzerainty over the several villages that make up “ITELE” and adopted the title “OTUNBA OF ITELE”. Prince MOYEGESO maintained his link with Ijebu-Ode which of course, he visited regularly to give account of his stewardship to his mother who then reigned as OLU-ISA(OLISA) OF IJEBU, who was later crowned as an AWUJALE OF IJEBU-LAND. This Royal link was so strong that when the stool of Awujale was vacant he was allowed by the AJO-ILU, being an honest person and an incontrovertible son of the soil, he was chosen through IFA consultation to became an Awujale of Ijebu-Land then.
The first MOYEGESO (OMO-OYE-NI-MO-BIYI) OF ITELE settled in ODO’LE (A G’ODO) at a spot which is today known as “OJU-OSI” has since been generally accepted as the seat of the MOYEGESO.
The current monarch ascended the throne as MOYEGESO OF IJEBU ITELE on 3rd of March,2003. Alaiyeluwa (Oba) Dr. Engr. Mufutau Adesanya Kasali M.F.R., F.N.C.E., J.P., Ibori-aran1, from ISHAGBOLA RULING HOUSE OF IJEBU ITELE. His predecessor was Alaiyeluwa (Oba) Jones Adenola Ogunde Adeyoruwa II from Adeyoruwa RULING HOUSE OF IJEBU ITELE KINGDOM 1981 – 1996, both were offsprings of FIDIPOTE ROYAL FAMILY OF IDEWON, IJEBU-ODE..
“ORIFI – ORIKI MOYEGESO (OMO-OYE-NI-MO-BIYI) OF IJEBU ITELE”
OMO ITELE MOYEGESO
OMO APEPE LORI EGE
OMO FIDIPOTE, FIDIPOTE MEREN
OMO ADEKOTU
OMO NORIDULA, O S’ ONORI S’ OMOBA
OMO OBA YEDO OGBONA KAN
OMO O JOKO FEHIN TI AWUJALE
O BU KALE RENMERENME
OMO OBA O ROKO YEWUYEWU JOYE
OMO A RI JE NIDI IKEN
O FOWO LABASIPA JOYE
O F’ ORUN DASO SAPOTI
OMO O ROKO RUGBO
O ROKO RUGBO RE
OMO IWOPIN AJIDAGAN
OMO ELERE EJA
OMO AWUJALE ABEBEJOYE IFE
OMO OLOFIN OGBOLU
IKU OLU’DA
OMO IKU BABA YEYE
OJIJI FIRIFIRI
AJI PO JO IKU DA
OMO OLAKALU
OMO LEWUJI OGBERE
OMO OBA A FI IDA MIMU PA ANO RE
KO MA BA PIYENKEN
OMO OKEBU LESEPON
OMO KOJURI KESE TE
OMO OLOBI KAN O WOROKO EBANO
E LA WO KOGBO KEGBO
E SAUN ENI A WO RERU ENI
E SAUN ENI E WO REBANO ERANKO JE
K’ADE PE LORI
KI BATA PE LESE
KABIYESI ALAYE DAAAJI.
Historical Researched Link Conducted by:
Otunba Ladipo Olusanya Adeokun
“Otunba Olaboyede of Ijebu-Ode”