Ikirun


Ikirun is a town in Osun State, Nigeria.
It is the headquarters of Ifelodun Local Government Area.
IKIRUN
HISTORICAL CITY IN
Ikirun, is an historical city that derived its name from the first ruler of the town called Akinorun. Basetan was the first settler and founder of present day Ikirun. He was a hunter. In his hunting expedition, he came across another settlement near by in Igbo Irele headed by one Akinorun. Basetan convinced Akinorun to join him in present day Ikirun. However, because Basetan was a hunter who used to go on long hunting spree, he left the day to day administration of the settlement in the care of his new friend, Akinorun with the understanding that he would, whenever he was around stand in as the deputy. With this arrangement the rulership was progressively ceded to Akinorun and his descendants with Basetan as the Eesa, i.e., the deputy. In recognition of this arrangement, whenever a new Akinrun is installed he mandatorily spends sometime in the Eesa’s palace as the Eesa’s guest. There is a commemorative pillar in oja Oba in IKIRUN to date with the inscription “Basetan, ode to te ilu Ikirun do, which literarily means “Basetan, the hunter who founded Ikirun.
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION
Ikirun is situated in the north-eastern part of Osun state of Nigeria in Osun northeast division
Ikirun is located within latitude 7 degree 50 feet north of Equator and longitude 4 degree 40 feet east of Greenwich meridian.
The town is located in a valley surrounded by 2 hills. Obagun/Gbogi hill to north and Aafo hill to the south and Alaroka and Idi-olo mountain to the east.
Ikirun is centrally located in Osun north-east division of Osun state. It is bounded on the north by Inisa town in Odo-otin local government area. On the south by Osogbo, the Osun state capital. To the east by Iragbiji town in Boripe local government council. And on the west by Eko-Ende town also in Ifelodun local government council.
POPULATION:
It is estimated that the population of Ikirun was about 60,826.
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES
Akinorun had two sons, Akinbiyi and Akinyemi who ruled and died at the original site, Igbo Irele. One of other Akinoruns children Oba-Ara,
Gboleru and Adedeji moved out of the original site at Igbo Irele because there was shortage of water. Oba-Ara became the first ruler of the present Ikirun while Basetan became Eesa and head of the traditional chiefs and kingmakers in the town.
In recognition of the original role of Basetan as Oba-Aras host, every Oba soon after his appointment is obliged to spend a period of time, previously three months but now cut to three days with Eesa. Just as Ikirun is derived from Akinorun so does the title of Oba Akinrun takes its origin from the same name.
NAMES OF PAST OBAS IN IKIRUN
As mentioned earlier, the former settlement at Igbo-Irele was short lived. However, since the birth of permanent and present site of the town, fifteen Akinrun has reigned over Ikirun town. They are as follows:

  1. Olasinde Obaara
  2. Gboleru
  3. Aye Munije
  4. Adedeji I
  5. Olusosun
  6. Fatolu
  7. Oyewole
  8. Lalowo.
  9. Oyebode.
  10. Ola.
  11. Akadiri 1887 - 1917.
  12. Oba Kolawole 1917 -1940
  13. Oba Kusamotu Oyewole
  14. Oba Lawani Adeyemi Oyejola 1945 -1989
  15. Oba Abdul-Rauf Adewale Adedeji II 1991 - Present
TRADITIONAL CHIEFS OF IKIRUN
The traditional chiefs of Ikirun are as follows:
1. Chief Eesa he is the head of king makers
2. Chief Odofin
3. Chief Ojomu
4. Chief Elemo
5. Chief Aro
6. Chief Jagun
7. Chief Baale Okeba
8. Chief Olukotun
9. Chief Aogun Ogerende
10. Chief Oluawo
WOMEN TITLE HOLDERS
Women also hold traditional titles in Ikirun such as Iyalode of Ikirun, Otun Iyalode, Osi Iyalode, Ekerin Iyalode and Iyaloja.
NAMES OF COMPOUNDS IN IKIRUN
1. Ile Adu
2. Alagbede
3. Aare Olugasa
4. Agbojari
5. Alagbede pon
6. Awodi Ogun
7. Ile Aloba
8. Alubata Agboja
9. Amola
10. Abitimo
11. Aromokanla
12. Aare-Onibon
13. Akan-an
14. Aare
15. Alaran
16. Abojo
17. Apanpa
18. Amugangan
19. Abudu
20. Agunjin
21. Agbere
22. Asuramu
23. Alataya
24. Akeremewe
25. Anlamole
26. Agbaleke
27. Alawo
28. Adeyeri
29. Akio
30.Agbopa
31. Aboke
32. Afonpe
33. Are-Ago
34. Aiwosi
35. Aje- Oba
36. Ajenbe
37. Agbori oko
38. Alagbaa
39. Alawe
40. Agba-akin
41. Aladi
42. Ajele- Ilorin
43. Aloba
44. Ajiyalu
45. Ajibesin
46. Asalu
47. Abidogun
48. Aro
49. Aresa
50. Aworo-Irele
51. Amolese
52. Arobo
53. Ajele
54. Ajimosun
55. Alalufaa
56. Atere
57. Ajakaye Onipele
58. Ajana
59. Asaba
60. Ajele Okeba
61. Ago Okeba
62. Ajisefinni
63. Alufa Akanbi
64. Adedeji
65. Alabi
66. Aniyeye
67. Agunlo
68. Aliyu
69. Aborisade
70. Agbon
71. Ayara
72. Baale- Enle
73. Baba Osogbo
74. Orisayo
75. Balogun
76. Baale Gbenagbena
77. Baale Onilu
78. Baale Ponja Erintunde
79. Saba
80. Balogun Kojo
81. Baale Oke Aafo
82. Balogun Makinde
83. Baba Isale
84. Balogun Imole
85. Baba Oloya
86. Baale Arabanbi
87. Baale Babatola
88. Baale Soyan
89. Balogun Okeba
90. Bada
91. Baale Aludundun Ayan
92. Baale Oya Omo Onira
93. Eesa
94. Eesade
95. Enju
96. Egunjobi
97. Elejin
98. Elemo Abioye
99. Elemo Ago
100. Efun Akun
101. Ebipologba
102. Elemoso Agan
103. Esu Agiriemu
104. Elemoso Ogun
105. Esubiyi
106. Eesorun Okeba
107. Elega
108. Eesa Olorombo
109. Gesinde
110. Gbalade
111. Gbenagbena
112. Gbesi
113. Iya Oba
114. Iyalaje
115. Idi Akoko
116. Tunde
117. Idi omo
118. Iyalode
119. Idi Okuta
120. Inurin
121. Jagun Aworinde
122. Jagun Ajibade
123. Jagun Oyewo
124. Kalemori
125. Kuoye
126. Kolawolu
127. Lanseje
128. Lamulamu
129. Laawe
130. Lagbeja
131. Masao
132. Motayo
133. Mofikoya
134. Mosalo
134. Megida
135. Naana
136. Osikolaba
137. Oluawo Onisegun
138. Olorebe
139. Olukuewu
140. Oluode
141. Otinlojuoti
142. Ologa
143. Olorunbasiri
144. Olomu
145. Olobedu
146. Ojomu Awerijaye
147. Olosun
148. Olaese
149. Olola Gogoro
150. Omitokun
151. Oluawo Onifa
152. Oyo Igbajo
153. Ojomu Agbosoye
154. Oloyan
155. Ogala
156. Onijabe
157. Olabugan
158. Oyewumi
159. Oluawo Onijabe
160. Oluode Fekete
161. Oibo Taiwo
162. Olota
163. Olaore
164. Oloya
165. Olorisa Oko
165. Oyo
166. Oloko
167. Oyelami
168. Olora
169. Owolabi
170. Obale
171. Ogun
172. Ogodu
173. Ojomu Alao
174. Olori Onisango
175. Odofin Awo
176. Olorungunna
177. Oluode Okeba
178. Ojongbodu
179. Oniwaye
180. Olobu
181. Olukolo
182. Osolo Okeba
183. Ogundeji Okeba
184. Olori Oloya
185. Olufon
186. Olonde
187. Okela
188. Oke Gboye
189. Omode
190. Ogbaro
191. Pajapaja
192. Patoro
193. Paado
194. Sagede
195. Simo Isale
196. Simo Oke
197. Sobaloju
198. Oke Owo
199. Shitu Adegboye
200. Sise
201. Sagbedo
202. Sunmonu Aweda
203. Samolope
204. Toibo.
205. Solo Ibikunle.
206. Ile Ponjo
207. Ile Agboja.
208. Ile Kondo sile.
209. Ile Adesekan.
210. Oloje's Compound
211. Oke Ola
212. Ile Ajawesola

Federal Government Agencies Office In Ikirun

The following are the Federal Government Establishments in Ikirun:
OSUN STATE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES OFFICE
The Osun State Government Establishment offices in Ikirun are as follows:
a. Osun State Agricultural Mechanization Corporation, State Headquarters, Ikirun.
a. Ministry of Education Along Iragbiji Road, Ikirun.
b. Fire Service Along Station Road, Ikirun.
c. Chief Magistrate Court Iragbiji Road, Ikirun.
d. High Court Eko Ende Road, Ikirun
e. Ministry of Health, Olaore Estate, Inisha Road, Ikirun.
f. Ministry of Works, Eweta, Ikirun.
g. Osun State Property Development Corporation, Osogbo Road, Ikirun.
h. Land and Physical Planning Bureau, Labaeka Estate, Old Inisha Road, Ikirun.
i. Osun State Water Corporation, Old Inisha Road, Ikirun.
j. Ifelodun Local Government Education Authority Akinorun Grammar School-Express Junction, Ikirun.
k. Ministry of Finance, Commerce and Industry Oke Afo, Ikirun.
DAILY & WEEKLY MARKETS IN IKIRUN
The following are major markets in Ikirun:
1. Oja Oba which is attended every day. It is situated directly in front of the Obas palace. It is a market for daily needs of the citizens. Activities commence as early as 7am and till around 10pm on a daily basis.
2. Oja Oba Adeyemi popularly known as Oja Alamisi i.e. Thursday Market. It is attended once every Thursday. It is situated along Oke Afo-Express junction road, Ikirun. What is mostly sold in Thursday Market are fruits, foodstuff that are brought from various villages closer to Ikirun. The market is opens as early as 5am and closes by 6.30pm.
3. Oja Oba Adedeji popularly known as Oja Monday which is attended every Monday. It is situated directly in front of Akinorun Grammar School, Railway Station Road, Ikirun. Most of the items sold in this market is similar to that of Thursday market, the market's opening and closing hour is the same with that of Thursday Market.
4. Oja Oba Adedeji, popularly known as Oja Satide is attended every Saturday and is situated along State Hospital Road, Ikirun. It is a mini weekend market, where traders from various village come to sell their farm produce.
5. Oba Adedeji Shopping Complex, situated along Oke Afo, Osogbo Road, Ikirun.
HOTELS RESTAURANTS AND CANTEENS
a. KENTAIDO HOTEL, Station Road, Ikirun.
b. OLUSANU HOTEL, Odo Amo, Ikirun
c. OTITOLEKE GUEST INN, Oke Afo, Ikirun.
d. OLOOKU RELAXING CORNER, Oke Aafo, Ikirun.
e. IREWOLEDE HOTEL, Oyedokun Street, Ikirun.
f. RAINBOW HOTEL, Oyedokun Street, Ikirun.
g. OBALOWU HOTEL, Eweta, Ikirun.
h. RIF CAFETERIA, Okiti Baba, Inisha Road, Ikirun.
i.
BANKING INSTITUTIONS
1. Skye Bank PLC, Inisha Road, Ikirun.
2. Union Bank PLC, Inisha Road, Ikirun.
3. Ifelodun Community Bank, Oke Aafo, Ikirun.
4. First Bank PLC, Inisha Road, Ikirun
TRADITIONAL IRELE FESTIVAL IN IKIRUN
The Irele festival comes up in July every year to coincide with harvest of new yams. In Ikirun, new yams must not be brought to the Obas market for sale until after Irele yam festival is held.
Irele festival is celebrated to commemorate the companion of founder of Ikirun. History has it that Akinorun came with a companion, named Irele. Like Akinorun he was a powerful hunter and warrior. They both first settle in what is known as Igbo Irele. Not quite long after their arrival at Igbo Irele, Akinorun took ill. He called his companion and his people, and handed the leadership over to Irele. Thereafter he died.
The administration of the town and welfare of all that was left by Akinorun were in the hands of Akinoruns children and Irele. He took up the challenge and whenever war threatened Igbo Irele, he quickly rose and founght gallantly.
Irele announced his imminent death and gave certain instruction that must be adhere to by the people. He gave them two calabashes with the instructions never to open them. He then dipped osanyin staff into the ground with instructions that whenever an attack was imminent, the people should go there and call his name upon which he would fight for them. He added that when he died he black dog must be sacrificed. With this instructions, Irele, according to legend, entered into the ground. Akinoruns eldest son, Akinbiyi continued the administration.
APPRECIATION
It was in appreciation of what Irele did for Ikirun when he was alive that the people deified him and made a covenant that they would worship him and offer him sacrifices every year during the month of July to coincide with harvest of the yams.
EGUNGUN FESTIVAL IN IKIRUN
In Yoruba land, there is a festival which is called Egungun festival.
In Ikirun, Chief Ojomu is the traditional Chief in charge of Egungun Ilu while Chief Olota is the leader of all Egungun Oje of the town.
Egungun festival comes up in May every year and holds for seven consecutives days. It is Chief Olota and Chief Ojomu who fix the days of the Celebration of Egungun festival in Ikirun. On the appointed day, Akinorun and his traditional Chiefs moves to celebrate in the residence of Chiefs Ojomu and Olota, they will later proceed to Igbo Igbale for further ceremonies.
On the third day known as Ojo Ita all Egunguns in Ikirun would comes out. There are two types of Egungun in Ikirun. The first group are the Egungun Ilu otherwise known as Eegun Olore. They do whip on one another to entertain people. These include Doodika, Orogun meji, Labinkolo, Yemoja, and Yerepe. The second category is the Egungun Oje. They are masquerades who performs magical acts to entertain people. These include Owolewa, Eyeba, Alagbaa and Eyefo-odo.
On the seventh day, Chief Ojomu and Olota do feast the Egunguns, celebrants and other traditional chiefs. They prepare meals such as pounded yam and egusi soup. All Egunguns come out and pay homage to Akinrun and his Chiefs at the palace. The Egunguns will entertain the Oba and the Chiefs and thereafter offer prayer for Akinrun. As part of the ceremony, the masquerades proceed to the central market, near the Akinruns palace where they entertain the townfolks by blessing the artisans, traders and market men and women. The people in turn give present such as kolanut and money to all the masquerades.

Ikirun Celebration Day

The idea behind Ikirun Day Celebration was the outcome or aftermath of a meeting of all Clubs in Ikirun which took place in December, 1991.
The main objectives or purpose of Ikirun Day Celebration are as follows:
First, to give the indigenes of Ikirun an opportunity to get acquainted with the progress that their town has made so far, its problems and aspirations, and therefore make an assessment of the areas which various clubs and associations could be of help, financially and morally to the historic town.
Secondly, Ikirun Day Celebration is an occasion of re-union. The Day is celebrated so as to generate rapport among Ikirun indigines by bringing them together in a carnival-like atmosphere, at least once a year.
Thirdly, to bring home Ikirun indigenes who sojourn in far away places without coming home for many years.
Fourthly, the Day is also set aside to generate and raise funds for the developmental projects e.g. building of modern palace for Akinrun.
Lastly, to invite visitors, investors outsiders and friends to Ikirun in order to know the indigines and appreciate the beauty and culture of the township.
The first Ikirun Day came up on 18 April 1992 at Akinorun Grammar School premises, Ikirun. The Day was preceded by prayers in the mosques and churches, symposium and paying of homage to Kabiyesi by the people of Ikirun at home and abroad.
DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS NEEDED AT IKIRUN
1. Construction of more classrooms in our primary and secondary schools.
2. Expansion of market stalls
3. Citing of small scale industries
4. Provision of street lights in Ikirun
5. Repairs of broken water pipes in the town
6. Rehabilitation and tarring of existing township roads.
7. Erection of roundabout at Oba Adedeji market
8. Provision of recreational facilities
9. Establishment of higher institution of learning
10. Equipping the Ikirun Library with current books and computers.
11. Efficient distribution of mail in Ikirun
12. Establishment of more banks
13. Construction of Cultural Center
14. Construction of a Stadium
15. Award of Scholarship to indigines
16. Renovation of Townhall.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND REFERENCES
IKIRUN A TOWN IN OSUN STATE, NIGERIA By Taye Olasunkanmi Bello, Adeolu Printing Press, Adenuga Gbongan. Osun State, Nigeria. 1st edition, 1997. Printed in Nigeria.

Primary Schools In Ikirun

opposite Eid Praying ground, Ikirun, Osun
State.