It was a mind-blowing experience as a powerful delegation from Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State stormed the ancient city of Ibadan, Oyo State, for the official launch of a book titled “Ipole Aaye Ijumu.”
Ipole-Aaye Ijumu is an ancient historical settlement and ancestral home of a people who originally migrated from Ile-Ife and later established communities in parts of Ekiti, Kwara and Kogi states, especially Ijumu Local Government Area.
The launch of the book, a masterpiece and eye-opener, offers an opportunity to affirm that the history of Ijumu can be traced back to Ile-Ife.
The delegation from Ijumu was led by the Olujumu of Ijumu Kingdom, HRM Oba Williams Olusegun Ayeni, and was accompanied by the Olu Adde of Ekinrin-Adde, Oba Anthony Bamigbaiye Idowu, and the Olu of Ayegunle-Gbede, Oba Lateef Haruna.
In his remarks at the epoch-making ceremony, the Ijumu paramount ruler, Oba Ayeni, noted that the importance of the book to the history and identity of the Ijumu people cannot be overemphasised.
According to the Olujumu, with the launch of the book, historians and archaeologists from Ijumu Kingdom will work together with the author to ensure that the history of the kingdom is properly documented.
He noted that he is aware that Ijumu people are also found in Owo, Ondo State, and Ejiyan in Ekiti State, adding that his leadership is making serious efforts to trace the history and identity of the Ijumu people.
“Whoever loses his history has lost his future. Most of the things that are hidden about our history — from where we started, and where we are going — should not be missing because of our children.”
He expressed delight that the book came out during his reign as Olujumu, saying it will be a reference point for posterity.
The Olujumu expressed the readiness of Ijumu Kingdom to work with the author to build on the submissions of the book, pointing out that it has affirmed the fact that the Ijumu people migrated from Ile-Ife.
Oba Ayeni applauded the author for taking the time to right the wrongs made by some historians, saying the Ijumu Traditional Council will work with him to get the history right.
Earlier, the author of the masterpiece, Prof. Adebayo Akinsiwon, said there are certain gaps in the history of the Yoruba people, hence the book.
On his part, the Soko Obalufon, Oladele Olasoji, speaking on the benefits of the book, said the piece summarises the history of the Yoruba that has been missing.
According to him, all descendants of Oba Olufon must have a clear understanding of their identity. He commended the author for his tireless efforts, pointing out that he went the extra mile to produce the book.
He stated that the people of Ijumu have been dispersed across Ekiti, Kwara and Kogi states, even though they all trace their roots to Ile-Ife.
The Soko bemoaned what he called an incomplete history written by certain persons to suit their personal or political interests.
He pointed out that politics has done a lot of damage to the history of the Yoruba and cautioned Yoruba traditional rulers to be mindful of misleading their subjects, saying their primary role is to know their forefathers.
He lamented that the entire Yoruba race has embraced foreign religion in excess and forgotten its own history, stressing the need to teach children the rich, undiluted history of the Yoruba people.
He also expressed dismay over the use of social media to distort the history of the Yoruba.
