ipole-iloro is a community just waking up to development in Ekiti State. Before the installment of Oba Ezekiel Babatola Oladele five years ago, the stool was vacant for 11 years due to some yet-to-be explained circumstances.
The interregnum, according to the national president, Ipole-Iloro Progressive Union (IPU), Mr. Busuyi Ayorinde, drew back the community, formerly known as Apa before 1965, in developmental strides. It belongs to the Apa Royal Family of Ile-Ife, a descendant of Oduduwa, the progenitor of Yoruba race.
Recently, the town was agog for the fifth coronation anniversary of Oba Oladele. Some monarchs who shared royal ties with Oba Oladele from Ile-Ife graced the occasion to identify with their brother. They included Oba John Adegboyega Adeyemi, Alapa of Omido; Oba Tejumola Iranloye, Alapa of Agbonda, both from Irepodun LG in Kwara State; Oba Samuel Oladoye Idowu, Akesin of Ora Igbomina, Osun State; and Oba Oyekan Adekanmi, Alapa of Egun Awori in Apa kingdom, Badagry LG, Lagos State. They were the descendants of siblings of Olupole. They came with the first Olupole of Ipole Iloro and bore Apa as their paternal identity from Ile-Ife before they migrated to different parts of Yoruba land.
One of the monarchs, Oba Adekanmi, a member of Lagos State Council of Obas said: “Olupole and myself are from the same family of Alapa who moved from Ile-Ife to other places such as Lagos, Ekiti, Ondo, Kwara and Kogi states.”
Ayorinde spoke on the travails and triumphs of the community: “The fact that it took us about 11 years before we got another monarch after the demise of the former one made today’s coronation anniversary very colourful. Many of our illustrious sons and daughters have come to witness this event. It is a reunion of all sons and daughters of Ipole home and abroad. We haven’t witnessed this resounding unity and togetherness for the past 14 years.
“That is why this event becomes more unique and significant. We appreciate God for this achievement. My advice is that we keep the flag of today’s colourful event flying and make effort to be more united and stop the superstitious belief that any with would kill me if I come home or that some would use diabolical means to tied me down at home. We must all now come together to develop our town.”
Oba Oladele said: “The programme of today has united all my people. As they have all come together to celebrate our community today and to celebrate one another. Another name we should have given this ceremony is Ipole Iloro Unity Day.
“Since I was enthroned five years ago, we have witnessed some developments in Ipole Iloro, one of such is road construction which I have ensured that we maintain by cutting the grasses on both sides of the road that usually encroach on the road. Ensuring that there are no potholes on the road.
“We have also got a well equipped community hospital. We have equally empowered our youths so they could be useful tools for the community and themselves. We have companies and organisations willing to invest in our town. The university of Ibadan recently got our nod to start up a farm project of over 300hectares of land. Some have started fish farming in the community. Our people had abandoned rice farming before I came on the throne but I brought it back once I was enthroned and many of our farmers have keyed into it. We now have rice in plenty and all the rice we ate during this programme were produced here.
“We have really improved on agriculture such that we now sell yams, plantains, rice and cassava among others as we have them in abundance. Our women weave mats, and do petty trading, but presently we depend heavily on agriculture. We have cocoa, yams, plantain, kola nuts, palm oil and cassava.
“We have two challenges here. One of them is the Arinta Waterfalls, which I usually call Ipole Iloro Waterfalls. It is a huge tourist potential that can fetch millions for the state and draw development to our town. The waterfalls need to be well developed.
“People have been coming there for relaxation. Presently, we generate almost N100,000 on monthly basis from such visits. But if developed, we could be raking in millions on monthly basis. I urge the government and well meaning, development oriented people and organisations to develop it to an international tourism centre like the Olumo Rock in Abeokuta, Ogun State and others currently making millions of Naira for governments and host communities.
“It would create job opportunities, can be used for irrigation and provide good water for the community. It can also to generate electricity because it is a very powerful waterfall.
“Our second challenge is electricity. For over four years now we do not have electricity. The Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), could not meet our demands. The Nigeria Electricity Regulations Commissions (NERC) has promised to take us back to Ibadan where we were before the privatisation policy.”
The monarch said there are plans to repackage Ipole-Iloro Day: “By this time next year this event will be renamed Ewi Day. It will feature virgins who would be decorated in Iyun, and other local make-ups to look attractive. Many young men who participate would be free to choose their future wives and even royal father would be permitted to choose the maidens as wives.”
Some personalities were garlanded with chieftaincy titles by the monarch. They were received by the Akogun Afin of Ipole Iloro, Chief Tai Oguntayo. A friend of the monarch and son of the soil, Mr. Peter Ajayi, said: “The Kabiyesi is a very generous and understanding man. He loves young people around him. He also desires great development and progress for our great town.”

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