HISTORY OF IPETUMODU

TRADITION OF ORIGIN

IPETUMODU is one of the ancient towns in Yorubaland. Reliable traditions have it that is is as ancient as Ile Ife, popularly regarded as the cradle of Yoruba race.
One of such traditions states that the following three main dynasties have ruled in Ipetumodu
1. THE ORUNMILA/OBATALA/IGBO DYNASTY
2. THE AKALAKO DYNASTY
3. THE APETUMODU DYNASTY
ORUNMILA and OBATALA were beleived to be colleagues of Oduduwa, all of whom migrated to Ile Ife from the Middle East. Their group fought and drove away the Igbo Aborigines of Ile Ife who left their original Homeland to settle at a site near the river Isasa I'm Ipetumodu from where they came to invade Ile Ife.
OBATALA and ORUNMILA later left Oduduwa at Ile Ife and came to Ipetumodu to fight the Igbo settlers there. But the Igbo pleaded with them not to trouble them or drive them away from their new abode. OBATALA was nicknamed "Osere Ma gbo" which when translated to the Igbo language means "Eze ma Igbo".
Orummila earned the title "Bara Ipetu,Ajana Ife" inspite of the pleading by the igbo, they were finally driven out of Ipetumodu.
The Akalako dynasty was an off-shoot of the Orummila/Obatala/Igbo dynasty. It was founded by Akalako, son of Obatala. Akalako's mother was Adetinuwa, daughter of Oduduwa, his brothers were Sunkungbade and Asosanyin. While Akalako ruled in Ipetumodu, Sunkungbade became the Olowu of Owu Ipole while Asosanyin who originally settled at Wasinmi near Ikire later migrated to ground Iseyin-Odan. These three brothers had crowns made of "Sese Efun" since they were children of Obatala (Also known as Oosa Nla).
The Apetumodu dynasty was an off-shoot of the Akalako dynasty. This has been the Fagbemokun and Aribile till date.
Another tradition states that Akalako popularly regarded as the founder of Ipetumodu, was a contemporary of Oduduwa. The tradition states further that he was among the Oduduwa Lee band of warriors that conquered ancient Ife. He was sent to Ile Ife while other part was retained to cater for the group at the gate. After some time, the tradition states further , Akalako established an independent town name Ipetumodu at the gate. He then became the first Apetumodu of Ipetumodu.
One salien fact which traditions of Origin of the Ipetumodu people have established is that the town is not a recent creation as some historical propagandist will tend to make us beleive. It is as old as Ile Ife.
Another point is that the popular opinion among the Ipetumodu indigenes is that Akalako is the founder of the town.
Agreed that there could be some other ruling dynasties before his, Akalako however appeared to be the one who organized an effective political administration that transformed a hitherto small community to a large and centralized one just as Oduduwa did at Ile Ife.
Eve the tradition that indicated the establishment of the Orummila/Obatala Igbo dynasty before that of Akalako stated further that because Obatala and Orummila were not interested in divination. Akalako, son of Obatala was beleived to have been the one left behind in Ipetumodu to carry out the task of administering the place.

HISTORICAL LINKS WITH OTHER TOWNS

According to traditions, the Ife princess Oba L'oyo, the Awujale, Alake Onisabe, the Olupopo, OluNana and the Orangun visited Ipetumodu during the reign of Akalako. Both the visitors and theirs host agreed to be making future contacts.
A rock called Pinhum Asewele , still standing at One Isasa, represented their symbol of agreement, Oyo Alaafin has continued to honour that pledge. Indeed, up till today, an Alaafin elect has to perform some traditional rites at the Apetumodu's palace before that Alaafin is crowned.
History had it that both Akalako and Orangun (Fagbamila) later called Orangun of Ila were of the same mother. Adetinuwe, though not of the same father. As already stated , Ipetumodu has historical links with Owu Ipole and Iseyin-Odan which were both founded by Akalako's brothers, Sunkungbade and Asosanyin respectively. Since the time of Oduduwa, Ipetumodu has continued to have a very close and cordial links with Ile Ife.There are family ties while both towns celebrate similar annual festivals. During the 19th century Yoruba civil wars, Ipetumodu and Ile Ife had a strong military understanding and suffered similar date. For instance, thy jointly fought the Owu and Ganamu wars.

IPETUMODU AD THE 19TH CENTURY YORUBA WARS.

During the Owu War (1812-1822), Isope and Iwaro, two Ipetumodu villages, were attacked thereby causing the Exodus of many people. It was after the war that the two villages were rebuilt. Ipetumodu witnessed the arrival of large number of war refugees from Apomu during the Ganamu war. The refugees deserted their town in order to escape the impending invasion by the Ibadan army. The people of Ipetumodu repelled most of the military advances of the Ibadan into their territory.

THE 1886 PEACE TREATY

The 1886 peace treaty initiated by the British to put an end to the Yoruba civil strife also had some traumatic effects on Ipetumodu. The treaty had stipulated that Modakeke , who had been at constant wars with their fellow Ife host , would be resettled temporarily in Ipetumodu, Moro and Edunabon and other Origbo towns before their final resettlement by the Osun-Odo Oba confluence between Iwo and Ibadan.
The British authorities however, failed to implement the treaty to the letter early enough and on the 27th of March, 1909, some Modakeke refugees settled in Owu Ipole, Gbongan, Edunabon, Ede, Lasole and Akanle while many others led by the reigning Ogunsua settled in Ode Omu (which was Originally part of the farmland of Ipetumodu people). On Sunday, 18th of July 1909, the Modakekes suddenly and surreptitiously displaced the Ipetumodu farmers who had gone to celebrate the annual "Egungun festival" from their farms.
The British authorities later endorsed the permanent settlement of Modakeke refugees on Ipetumodu land without any compensation.

RECENT POLITICAL HISTORY

Between 1943 and 1947, Ipetumodu belonged to the Origbo People's Assembly where it was represented by six members, the highest number in the assembly. The assembly was succeeded by the Origbo Subordinate native Authority in 1948 and lasted till 1954. In the Authority, Ipetumodu had nine (9) out of the twenty three(23) members.
From 1955 to 1966, Ipetumodu was the headquarter of the one of the four components of the Ife Divisional Council then known as Ipetumodu local Council comprised Ipetumodu (21 members) Ashipa (4 members) Akinlalu (3members) and Yakooyo(2members). Six (6) members of this council could represent it at the Ife Divisional Council level.
Ipetumodu and other Origbo towns remained in Ife Divisional Council until 1980 when Governor Bola Ige's administration grouped them as Oranmiyan North Local Government Area. The headquarter was in Ipetumodu. The local government was phase out in 1983 when the Bihari Military Adminstration came to power. But since 1989, when the Ife North Local Government was created, Ipetumodu has continued to be the headquarter of the local government.
IPETUMODU INDIGENES ARE NOTED TO BE HARDWORKING, INDUSTRIOUS AND HOSPITABLE, BRAVE AND PEACE LOVING. THE TRADITION OCCUPATIONS OF THE PEOPLE OF IPETUMODU WERE FARMING AND TRADING. TODAY, THE MAJOR STRIVING INDUSTRY THAT IS SUSTAINING THE ECONOMIC, CULTURAL AND POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT IF THE TOWN IS EDUCATION. THE PEOPLE SO MUCH APPRECIATE AND CHERISH EDUCATION WHICH EXPLAINS WHY MANY OF THEIR CHILDREN TODAY ARE IN HIGH ECHELON OF CIVIL SERVICE, COMMERCE MILITARY, MANUFACTURING, BANKING AND ENTREPRENEURIAL SECTORS. THE TWON TODAY HAS BOTH STATE AND FEDERAL ESTABLISHMENT AMONG OTHERS.

KEEP, AND SHARE, ITAN WA O GBODO PARUN

Excerpt from the hand book "Coronation and presentation of staff of office to Prof Olugbenga Oloyede as Apetumodu of Ipetumodu page 19"