IJEBU STATE: THE BOMBSHELL

In May, 2020, I wrote and published an article online, and it bacame a viral document. It was captioned: WHY IJEBUS WERE NEVER CAPTURED AS SLAVES, an
article I researched and centered on the long-denied Ijebu State Creation.

However, some months later, the article got to our Baba, Late
Awujale Alayeluwa Oba Dr Sikiru Kayode Adetona, GCON, and he immediately instructed Comrade Tunde
Oladunjoye to contact me to solicit for my consent cum signature, basically, with a view to using
my article as Ijebu State Request Memo to the National Assembly, Senate Committee on Constitution Amendments/State
Creation to again demand for the long-denied Ijebu State Creation through the immediate past Senator, the Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District, Senator Lekan Mustapha, LSM.

I was at “GOMBI” movie production set at Idi-ayunre, Oyo State, a movie I co-produced when a call came in:
“Good afternoon.” The voice said, calmly.
Good afternoon sir. I responded. “Is this Mr Sholakunmi Sanni-Afronymous on the line?” Yes, sir. I affirmed.
“My name is Comrade Tunde Oladunjoye. Baba asked me to call you and inquire if you were the original author of a particular viral online article, captioned: WHY IJEBUS WERE NEVER CAPTURED AS SLAVES and if you could sign it as a document?”
“Please, which Baba are you referring to, sir?” I humbly requested.
“Kabiyesi Baba Awujale Adetona Ogbagba II.”
I was shocked!
Nonetheless, I eventually answered affirmatively.
“Are you in Ijebu-Ode? Can you come to Baba’s house at G.R.A. as soon as possible, just to appended your signature on the same document because Baba wants us to use it as memo to the Senate Committee on Constitution Amendments and as a fresh Ijebu State Creation request document?”
I was further shocked!
“I am sory, sir. I am not within Ijebu, sir. I am actually at a forest, filming, somewhere in Oyo State, sir.” My response.
“Okay, can you get a white paper, put your signature on it, snap and forward it to me via WhatsApp, right away because there is a short deadline?” He requested.
“Of course, I can do that immediately, sir.”
“Okay, thanks. We will be expecting it.” Call ended.

Immediately, I started brainstorming. I needed to make some verifications about the call before jumping at it. I then put a call through to my “Mummy” who is the Iyalode of Ijebuland, Iyalode B.O. Osibogun and related the issue to her. And she advised me to go ahead and do what they requested because she was aware that Comrade Tunde Oladunjoye was Baba Awujale’s right hand man and that they were both making frantic moves towards Ijebu State creation together.

I therefore, honourably obliged.

Three days later, I received a copy of the delivery document from the courier company used to deliver the document to Abuja from Comrade Tunde Oladunjoye. He further told me to contact him whenever I was in Ijebu-Ode, so as to take me to Baba because Baba wanted to see me.

Below is the extract of the article:
WHY IJEBUS WERE NEVER CAPTURED AS SLAVES.
It is in historical domain that the Ijebus were never captured as slaves, and had never lost a
war; except the war they lost to the British Army in 1892. (The great Imagbon or Yemoji war.)
At the time when inter-ethnic wars, and slave trade induced conflicts were ravaging the entire
nation, and by extension, the West African region, in the precolonial era; Ijebus had always
remained untouchable, and the few times they had been attacked, their attackers had always
met their Waterloo.
The following factors were responsible:

1. IJEBU BEING A SOVEREIGN NATION.
   Ijebu had for about two millennia been coexisting in their present settlement, it remained a
   sovereign nation, without any allegiance to any other people or reliance on other nations for
   survival of any form. Not even the old Oyo Empire, Benin Kingdom and the Dahomey Kingdom
   which existed then. Abeokuta was founded just 200 years ago, Ibadan and many other adjoining
   cities were founded, afterwards, as a result of resettlement, after various inter-ethnic wars.
   But the sovereignty was cut short in 1892 by the British invasion during the reign of Awujale
   Olasimbo Tunwase.
   The Ijebus created their wealth and economy through various agrarian and animal cultivations.
   Intra-ethnic trade was highly encouraged while external trades were supervised directly by the
   Awujale. They had their own money, the cowries, and later fabricated their own coins, called
   Pandoro which later became a legal tender across Africa and Europe.
2. THE FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN.
   They created the fear of being supernaturally powerful and invincible amongst other ethnicities.
   This was made to manifest in their Oriki, hence: Onile ajoji kowo; ajoji t’oba wo ibe lowuro, a di
   ohun ebo lale. Meaning: Owners of the land where strangers dared not enter; strangers that
   enter it in the morning will become a sacrificial soul in the night.
3. THE SUMGBO EREDO (RAMPART) FACTOR.
   The entire Ijebu land Headquarters, Ijebu Ode and environs were encircled with a large and
   deep rampart, dug about 1,200 years ago. It was dug to prevent any external aggressions, with
   strategic positioning of garrison commands around the rampart. The rampart was recently
   acknowledged by the United Nations UNESCO as a world heritage site; being one of the largest
   human efforts on the planet. It has a total length of 160 kilometers.
4. A COMMON AND UNITED ARMY.
   Apart from the guards stationed at the various garrison commands around the rampart, Ijebus
   had no regular Army, apart from the Olorogun and his assistants. All able bodied men, and
   sometimes, women usually form an Army anytime there was need for one. The Olorogun would
   quickly assemble them for training and instructions. This fact was replicated at the great
   Imagbon war when women withv their babies, strapped to their backs, were seen defending their
   territory against the British Army. This is always replicated till today, anytime and anywhere they
   found themselves, regardless of the political divisions that have placed them in other states,
   mostly in Lagos State. Unity has always been one of their greatest assets.
5. INTELLIGENCE AND BRAVERY.
   The Ijebus are usually very intelligent and brave people. They used these assets to plans and
   execute war strategies. They manufactured war gear themselves and used all their might to
   defend their heritage.
6. SUPERNATURAL POWERS.
   They implore their supernatural knowledge, powers and skills to defend themselves. If you like,
   you may call it juju.
7. OWNER OF TRADE & EXPORT ZONE FACTOR.
   In those days, one of the most important and largest markets and seaports in the West African
   region was the then great Ejinrin market and seaports. All the captured slaves from above the
   region would have to be sold and transported from the Ejinrin market and seaports which is
   located in Ijebu land. Any Ijebu extraction captured in foreign lands would only surrender to their
   captors, only for them to raise alarm when they brought them through Ijebu land for either sale
   or exportation, and Awujale would immediately order his or her shackles broken, and freed.
8. NON PARTICIPATION IN SLAVE RAIDING VENTURES.
   As at the time when other ethnicities were raiding smaller and vulnerable communities for
   slavery business, the Ijebus did not participate, therefore, nemesis or karma couldn’t be recorded against them.
   Conclusively, the Ijebus are very industrious, self-reliant and a very relevant set of people, as far
   as the histories of Nigeria and Africa are concerned.
   The Colonial Administrators of those days saw them as a very intelligent and well organised set
   of people. They therefore carved a Province for them, Ijebu Province, with the capital in Ijebu
   Ode. In all, they carved 24 Provincial/Administrative Headquarters out of the then Northern and
   Southern Protectorates, during the amalgamation of Nigeria in 1914.
   But, sadly and Ironically, all the 24 Provinces had been made a State in Nigeria, with some,
   even divided into two or three states that make up the 36 states in Nigeria, except Ijebu
   Province which was erroneously and maliciously made to be under Abeokuta by Olusegun
   Obasanjo’s Military Administration when Ogun State was created in 1976, against the
   recommendation of Justice Ayo Irikefe’s led Panel on States Creation, and against the proposal
   submitted by Late Otunba A. O. Osibogun and Late Chief S. O. Ajetunmobi, as President and
   General Secretary, respectively, on behalf of the Association for Ijebu Development, and by
   extension, on behalf of the Ijebus, in 1975. The denial which was probably as a result of envy,
   superiority or even, inferiority complexes which is typical of him, Gen. Obasanjo.
   Most annoyingly, the State of Nigeria has failed to address the injustice and marginalisation
   against this peace-loving people who have remained resoluteg and without militia agitations to
   push their plights. And despite several solo and collective efforts made by the Awujale,
   Alayeluwa Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona.
   In the wake of electioneering of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2014 when he paid a courtesy
   visit to the African longest reigning monarch in his palace in Ijebu Ode, the Paramount ruler
   exposed all these injustices meted out to the Ijebus to him, regarding the statutory denial, and,
   PMB was marveled by the exposure, and promised to address the injustice if elected. But
   surprisingly, nothing has yet, been done, even though we have an Ijebu man as the Vice
   President, Prof. Yemi Oshibajo. But hope has not yet been totally lost in their consciousnesses.

Long live Awujale!
Long live Ijebu Nation!
Long live Nigeria!!!

-Sholakunmi Sanni-afronymous, General Secretary, Association for Ijebu Development. (A.I.D.)
Founded 1970.
End of Extract.

Unfortunately, Kabiyesi Awujale is no more today. And Comrade Tunde Oladunjoye and others may also be no more. Yet, the struggle keeps waxing stronger by every dawn. May God Almighty Eleda Aseda bless their souls. And may their souls celebrate the victory of Ijebu State soonest.

Living witnesses who can corroborate the above story are:

1. Senator Lekan Mustapha
2. Senator Gbenga Daniel.
3. Iyalode B. O. Osibogun.
4. And other members of Ijebu State Movement Committee.

MY APPEAL TO IJEBU REMO BROTHERS AND SISTERS

Owon iba ni fo: “Ai ren po ejo, re mu iya je okan.”

Colonialism and Politicians have damaged our sense of Unity for so long because of their egocentric interests.

This is the time to bring your anger to the table, if they genuinely are. Remo Identity has come to stay, but not at the expense of your Ijebu roots. When you celebrate Remo Day at home and in Diaspora, did you chase away your brothers and sisters from Ago iwoye or Ijebu-Ode?
Yes, it is our collective joy that Remo division of Ijebu is industrially thriving, for its proximity to Lagos. Just as Ijebu waterside “Division” is also prospectively advancing, for its proximity to the Atlantic ocean. And, invariably, as Ojude Oba’s globalisation is to our collective pride, among other unifying factors.
Every part of Ijebu is richly blessed, both in Human, Mineral and Natural assets.

Ijebus have always regarded themselves as an entity; the reason Ijebu Remo politicians enjoyed massive supports from other six local governments in Ijebu. Otunba Gbenga Daniel and Governor Dapo Abiodun are typically some examples. Apart from Late Chief Olabisi Onabanjo, who hailed from Ijebu-Ode, Ijebus have always thrown their weights behind politicians from other parts of Ijebu. Examples are: Senator Abraham Adesanya- Ijebu Igbo, Senator Jubril Martins Kuye- Ago-Iwoye, Senator Buruji Kashamu- Ijebu Igbo, Senator Lekan Mustapha- Ijebu Igbo.
But the recent public brandishing of discordant elements by some individuals from Ijebu Remo, claiming Remo has no Ijebu root is a signal of ingratitude or weakened togetherness spirit. The action that probably birthed The Ijebulokan Agenda.

Even within Ijebu Remo, only but a few are pushing this total dichotomy and absolute discord with Ijebu, majority still absolutely believe that they are ancestral Ijebu because history can not be jettisoned and culture is indelible. Ikanigbo, Isasa, Oke Oyemule and Okun owa roots of Igimisoje, Aroyewun, Afaranpojo and others are unblemished.

In other words, an attempt to sell total dichotomy with Ijebu will boomerang and generate further disunity among yourselves.

Fear of domination and phobia of being second fiddle signals inferiority complex which I think is out of it. When you come to the table with fair minds and sense of oneness; peace and progress will be unstoppable.
I however, think discussions on balancing of positions, resources and developments should be of more importance than disunity.

When Otunba Gbenga Daniel introduced the idea of R.I.Y.E. (REMO – IJEBU – YEWA – EGBA.) as Governor, it’s beauty was to achieve even and more developmental progress to Ogun East Senatorial District, and not to jeopardise or break our ancestral ties.

Nevertheless, before any Remo man or woman can push for total dichotomy and discord with Ijebu, let them not be caught unaware of the following facts:

1. You are speaking Ijebu dialect in Remo intonation, just like Ijebu waterside intonation, Ijebu Egure intonation, etc
2. You are answering Ijebu names; Oshi- Odu- Oso- Otu-. etc.
3. You are celebrating Agemo (symbol of Ijebu cultural Unity)
4. You are eating Ijebu foods, ebiripo, ikokore, igbekere, adun, robo, etc
5. You are indigenous to Ijebu Province land.
6. Prof. Wole Soyinka GCON, calls himself IJEGBA Ijebu+Egba. He is from Isara, Ijebu Remo.
7. Late Chief Obafemi Awolowo called himself Ijebu man. He was Ikenne, Ijebu Remo.
8. Odole Sir Adebutu Kessington calls himself BABA IJEBU. He is from Iperu, Ijebu Remo.
9. Legendary Adewale Ayuba, from Ikenne, Ijebu Remo, once sang in his record: “Emi ni’jebu lati Nigeria” (I am Ijebu from Nigeria.)
10. Actor Amokade is from Ilisan, Ijebu Remo. He calls himself IJEBU.
11. Diocese of Ijebu Remo is still inscribed on some Cathedrals in Ijebu Remo.
12. Even the much talked about H. M. Matindale’s Inquiry Report of 1937 that facilitated the establishment of Remo Division of Ijebu from the bulk of Ijebu and Awujale did not break the ancestral ties.

I can continue with more undeniable facts.

Recently, a media reported the Top Ten Richest Yorubas in Nigeria and I was not surprised to discovered that five of them are Ijebus. It is not a coincidence, that is the stuff we are made of by the Supreme Being, Eleda Aseda. And that is a clear indication of the greatness to expect from Ijebu State when it is finally actualized. We are proud to have the likes of:

1. Prof. Wole Soyinka – Isara, Ijebu Remo
2. Otunba Mike Adenuga – Ijebu Igbo
3. Mr Femi Otedola – Epe
4. Mrs Folorunso Alakija- Ikorodu
5. Mr Adebayo Ogunlesi – Sagamu
6. Oba Otudeko – Ijebu Igbo/Odogbolu
7. Chief Kunle Soname – Ikenne, Ijebu Remo
8. The Baloguns of FCMB dynasty – Ijebu ode
9. Alayeluwa Oba Babatunde Ajayi. Akarigbo.
10. Alhaji Adebola Adegunwa (Biggi) – Ijebu-Ososa.
11. Odole Sir Adebutu Kessington, Baba Ijebu – Iperu, Ijebu-Remo
12. Asiwaju S. K. Onafowokan – Sagamu
13. Olorogun/Ogbeni-Oja Sonny Kuku and Kuku Dynasty – Ijebu Ode.
14. Prof. Yemi Osibajo – Ikenne, Ijebu-Remo
15. Adefulu Dynasty of Ilasan, Ijebu-Remo
16. Chief Olu Okeowo – Ijebu-Ode
17. Mr Muriwiyu Kayode Bakare – Atiba Ijebu.

To mention but a few.

We are also proud of the Legendary achievements of our past Ijebu men and women, those who nurtured our heritage with their sweat, tears, love and blood:

1. Late Chief Obafemi Awolowo
2. Late Chief Timothy Adeola Odutola
3. Late Dr Tai Solarin
4. Late Chief Hubert Ogunde
5. Late Pa Jacob Odulate – Alabukun
6. Late Chief Jimoh Odutola
7. Late Chief Abusi-Edumare of Ijebu Igbo
8. Late Aina Onabolu
9. Late Chief Haruna Ishola M.O.N.
10. Late Kehinde Sofola S.A.N.
11. Late Chief Chris Ogunbanjo
12. Late Prof. Adebayo Adedeji C.F.R.
13. Late Oba Michael Sonariwo
14. Late Dr Jubril Martins Kuye
15. Late Madam Ashabi Kuti
16. Late Batili Alake
    To also mention, but a few.

Ijebu vibrant youths have always been a dominant force the world of Music, Films and Sports, Entertainments Generally.
The following are notable examples:

1. King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall, Olori Omo’ba
2. Queen Salawa Abeni
3. Sir Adewale Ayuba, Mr Johnson
4. Alhaji Musiliu Aruna Isola
5. Mr Kenny Ogungbe and Crew
6. Ayodeji Balogun – Wizkid
7. Olamide Adedeji – Baddo
8. Dapo Adebanji – Dbanj
9. Wale Thompson – Lalale Friday
10. D.J. Jimmy Jatts
11. Olawale Ishola – Sandoka
12. Lanre Teriba – Atorise
13. Mike Abdul
14. Alhaji Saoti Arewa
    And so many others.

In the world films, we are always proud to showcase and celebrate our Ijebu film icons, like:

1. Madam Idowu Philips- Iya Rainow
2. Wale Adenuga of WALE ADENUGA PRODUCTIONS.
3. Chief Dele Odule
4. Mr Deji Adenuga
5. Pa Adelaja Ogunde
6. Prof. Sola Fosudo
7. Mrs Ayo Adesanya
8. Mrs Dupe Jayesimi
9. Mr Femi Branch
10. Mrs Dayo Amusa
11. Mrs Toyin Alausa
12. Mrs Ronke Odusanya
13. Mrs Tayo Odueke
14. Alhaji Alaba Mayungbe.
15. Eniola Badmus.
    And so many more.

In the area of sports, Ijebu bloods like:

1. Falilat Ogunkoya.
2. Anthony Joshua
3. Tobi Amusan
4. Azeezat Osoala
5. Super Eagle’s Ola Aina
6. Global Chess Grandmaster, Tunde Onakoya.
   And many other proud Ijebu bloods are worthy mentioning.

CONCLUSIVELY, TWO MAJOR FACTS THAT MUST BE EMPHASISED ARE:

1. IJEBU PROVINCE WAS THE BASIS FOR FOR THE REQUEST FOR IJEBU STATE AND THAT IS WHAT THE OFFICIAL DOCUMENT REPRESENTS
2. PRESIDENT TINUBU’S PRIMARY DESIRE TO ALLOW THE CREATION OF SIX NEW STATES, ONE FROM EACH GEOPOLITICAL ZONE, IS BORN OUT OF HIS GOODWILL TO CORRECT THE DECADES-LONG INJUSTICE OF MARGINALISATION OF IJEBU WHICH HE HAD A GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF WITH LATE AWUJALE, OBA DR S. K. ADETONA GCON.

“UNITED IJEBU STATE” UNIFIES US BETTER AS A PEOPLE AND AS A NOMENCLATURE.

WITH LOVE, UNITY AND UNDERSTANDING , LET’S MAKE THIS NEW BRIDE OUR PRIDE AND REALITY.

Sholakunmi Sanni-Afronymous e-mail: sholakunmisanniafronymous@gmail.com
. October, 2025.