[b]Important historical fact about Egba people
SETTLEMENT IN ABEOKUTA
We, the Egba people started to settle in Abeokuta in 1830 or thereabout; each section settling in a separate quarter of the town. A strong system of relating with each other and general governance of the kingdom was later developed. At its peak, the Kingdom covered a vast expanse of land that stretched from River Oba on the North to Ebuta Metta on the South, Osun River on the East to Ipokia and River Yewa on the West. The four sections that formed the Egba nation are EGBA ALAKE (Eku, Aarin and Agbeyin) EGBA OKE ONA, EGBA GBAGURA, EGBA OWU.
Separation of powers: Governance was carried out through a delicate balance of responsibilities among the following Institutions: OGBONI, OLOROGUN, OLOGUN, PARAKOYIS & ODE.
The Ogbonis were the elite ruling class. They were in charge of making laws. They also judged cases, discussed and advised the king in all affairs of the state. The society has a chamber (ile Ogboni) in every township where meeting were held to adjudicate on the affairs of the Townships.
The Oloroguns were the war chiefs. They deliberated on military matter and advised the Obas on Wars and disputes.
The Parakoyis were the members of the Chamber of Commerce. They were charged with furthering the commercial interests of their towns. They regulated and protected free trade and visited markets to settle disputes.
The Odes were the warriors and they performed many war duties which included scouting, spying and guarding townships against marauders and enemies.
August 8, 1854, Okukenu, First Alake in Abeokuta was elected. In 1855, Pawu, First Olowu in Abeokuta was elected; 1859, Iwe Irohin, Nigeria's first newspaper was published; 1870, Jamolu, the first Agura was elected in Abeokuta; 1897, Karounwi, the first Osile in Abeokuta elected.
TREATY OF INDEPENDENCE
The treaty of independence, dated 18 January, 1893, made between his Excellency Gilbert Thomas Carter, Esq, Companion of the most distinguished order of St. Michael and St George, Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the colony of Lagos and on behalf of her Majesty the Queen of Britain and Ireland, Empress of India, etc., her Heirs and Successors, on the one part. We, the undersigned King and Authorities do, in the presence of Elders, Headmen and people assembled at the palace hereby promise:
*That there should be complete freedom of trade between the Egba Nation and Lagos, and in view of the injury to commerce arising from arbitrary closing of roads, we the King and authorities, hereby declare that no road shall in future be closed without the approval of the Governor of Lagos.
*That we, the said King and authorities pledge ourselves to use every means in our power to foster and promote trade with the countries adjoining Egba with Lagos.
*That we, the said King and authorities will, as henceforth, afford complete protection and every assistance and encouragement to all ministers of the Christians' religion.
*It is further agreed and stipulated by the said Gilbert Thomas Carter, on behalf of the Queen of England, that so long as the provisions of this Treaty are strictly kept, no annexation on any portion of Egba Nation shall be made by her Majesty's Government without the consent of the lawful authorities of the Nation; no aggressive action shall be taken against the said Nation and its independence shall be fully recognized.
*The said King and authorities, having promised that the practice of offering human sacrifices shall be abolished in the one township where it at present exists and having explained that British subjects already have freedom to occupy lands, build houses and carry on trade and manufacture in any part of Egba Nation, and likewise that there is no possibility of cession of any portion by Her Majesty's Government, and it desired that no special provision be made in regard to these subject in a third treaty.
1st February 1898 Egba United Government Formed
Judicial agreement signed: January 1904
Governor MacGregor of Lagos entered into a judicial agreement with the Egba Government whereby jurisdiction was ceded to the British Government for nineteen years in all cases where one or both parties to the suits are natives of the Egba Nation, and in all cases of murder and manslaughter.
April 20, 1904 First Native Court Opened
State visit to United Kingdom: May 25 – July 8, 1904
Alake Gbedebo, accompanied by Prince Ladapo Ademola of Ake, Mr. Adegboyega Edun, Mr. R.B Blaize, a Lagos merchant of Owu extraction went to England on a state visit.
They left Lagos on May 5 and arrived in England on May 25. On May 30, Alake Gbadebo was honoured with an audience and dinner by King Edward VII. On June 7, he was presented to the Duke of Marlborough and Sir Montague Ommaney at the Colonial Offices and on June 14, he interviewed the C.M.S. Committee. He visited many places including Aberdeen College and was presented with a Bible by King Edward VII on the eve of his return to Lagos.
August 26, 1904 E.U.G. Police Force established.
Government Hospital Established; 1908: Government established medical offices and employed a British Trained Medical Officer Dr. Ayodeji Oyejola an Egba man who studied at the University of London and returned to Nigeria in 1906. He was later appointed the Egba Government Medical Officer. A government hospital was also established.
EGBA UNITED GOVERNMETN OBTAINS
A 30,000 pounds loan: December 31, 1910
The Egba Government faced a lot of difficulties in providing potable water. Case of guinea-worm and other water-borne diseases were reported throughout Egba Nation. In 1905, the government sank wells but due to the rocky nature of the town the project failed.
In 1910, the Egba United Government approached the British government for a loan of {30,000 pounds (N60,000) to build a water treatment plant and pumping stations. The pumping machines bought consisted of three locomotives of self-contained boilers, two Marsha Triple expansion surface condensing horizontal engines and a duplicate set of Ashley three-throw well pumps. Each seat of pumps is capable of delivering 500,000 gallons of water in ten hours into the reservoir at a height of 301 ft above the river level.
The water scheme started immediately. This scheme greatly displeased a section of the public as some educated people agitated against the Government action in employing foreign Engineers, saying the Government ought to have waited till their children were qualified to fill the post but the Government felt differently as it was eager to destroy the guinea worm and other water borne diseases caused by drinking impure water. The scheme was however completed in 1914. Sir Fedrick Lugard, Governor-General of Nigeria, performed the formal opening of Abeokuta waterworks on the invitation of Alayeluwa Oba Gbadebo 1, Alake of Abeokuta.
The loan was to be repaid by installation of 4000 pounds and the first payment was made before the opening of the project. Every drawer of water was charged one penny for every ten potfuls (about two gallons) drawn.
COMMERCE
Egba United Government played a prominent role in the commerce of those days. It built custom houses and improved on existing ones. By 1901, the European Merchants agitated against payment of tolls to the Egba United Government. The settlement of the dispute was in favour of Egba United Government. This was a major achievement for the Egba United Government for the Government would have been overthrown had the tolls been abolished.
The tools provided the necessary revenue for the administration. In 1904, the government passed the Customs, Ordinance (Revision). In order to raise funds, the Government passed an order for licensing bicycles and carriages in 1911. In 1912, it passed the shop licence Ordinance and auction Licence Ordinance.
The public protested against the former on the ground that it was an attempt to introduce house taxing. The Native traders petitioned the Government. Even Prince Eleko from Lagos and the white cap Chief "Idejo" pleaded with Egba United Government to cancel the ordinance but to no avail.
With these and many other achievement scored by the Egba United Government, there was much progress in Abeokuta.
Nevertheless, the government did record naturally, a few setbacks, one of which was in the sinking of wells. A stream carriage scheme by the government (Framers' Association Scheme) in 1908, was a total failure as the machine could not operate properly due to the solidity in the roads. Besides, there were other issues creeping up. These features were minor when compared with the successes of the Egba United Government. They did not dispute the fact that the Egba United Government encouraged commerce, paid attention to schools, hastened economic development by improving communication, maintained law and order, provided health services and public utilities and in general gave Egbaland one of its most significant administrations.
INDUSTRY:
Egba United Government established the Abeokuta Industrial Institute in 1908. The establishment of the Institute was made possible by R.B. Blaize who provided {3000 (N6000) from his estate for free training of the Egbas in technical work. Every apprentice was bound for four (4) years and at the expiration of the training, the participant was presented with a set of tools worth {6 (N12).
RAILWAY:
The Railway line from Lagos to Aro was opened for traffic in 1900 and extended to Ibara (Abeokuta Station) in 1901. The Railway made the journey from Lagos to Abeokuta easier. It also helped to improve and advance the country; for it led to the opening of roads for traffic and carriages and the construction of bridges over rivers and streams.
Between 1900 and 1901 the government started to widen and level the existing roads and by 1905, was constructing many good roads in the Kingdom. Mr. David A. Taylor ( a Surveyor and an Egba man) was appointed as the Superintendent of work and roads.
The first concrete bridge in Abeokuta, Sokori Bridge, built by Egba United Government was opened by Governor MacGregor of Lagos in 1903. The bridge was constructed by Mr. John Israel Adenekan without the supervision of any European Civil Engineer.
Lafenwa Bridge over Ogun River was opened in 1911 in the year Egba United government introduced Motor Lorries into Egbaland.
EDUCATION
Egba United Government realized that the destiny of Egba's future generation very much depended on Education and gave much attention to the establishment of schools and promotion of Education. In 1908, Abeokuta Grammar School was established as the only secondary School then in Abeokuta city. The school started in a rented small room at Ijemo Agbadu owned by Mr. John Macaulay. God used Ariyo Sorinolu as an instrument in his hands to revive the Secondary School in Abeokuta until when in 1910, the school moved to Isale Igbein in Abeokuta. After a short time, the school was taken over by Abeokuta District Council and by gradual improvement, the school was developed into its present stage at Idi Aba, Abeokuta.
Although, late Oba Gbadebo, the then Alake, was not educated, he took very great and unflagging interest in all that concerned Christian Religion and Education in Egbaland during his reign. He was the first to carry the first foundation stone of the building of the Abeokuta Grammar school.
It would be interesting to know that the very spot on which Abeokuta Grammar school formerly stood is rather historical. It is the first place in the whole Egbaland where higher school was established in the year 1861 for the purpose of imparting secondary school education, not only in Egbaland but in Nigeria as a whole and for some reasons, had to be moved to Lagos which is still referred to as CMS Grammar school, Lagos, today.
In 1907, Egba United Government appointed a custom officer – Mr. Feyisara Sopein as the first Inspector of Schools. His appointment marked the introduction of a proper system in school management. After the government passed on Ordinance relating to education for the organization of the schools in Abeokuta, yearly grants were awarded to each school.[/b]



http://oriwusun.com/2013/january/pullout_4c.html

[b]EGBALAND IN THE CONTEXT OF OGUN STATE AND THE NIGERIAN NATION

I. WHO ARE THE EGBAS?

The Egbas are a major sub-tribe of the Yoruba who inhabit south western part of Nigeria. They are the biggest of the four ethnics groups within ogun state, one of the 36 states making up the federal republic of Nigeria.

The Egbas share boundaries with the lagosians of Lagos state, the Ibadans and Ibarapas of Oyo state and the benoise of the republic of Benin.

For occupation they are largely farmers and traders, while in religion, they follow Islam and Christianity, with a small number still adhering to African traditional religion. The Egbas are culturally rich as depicted in their mode of dressing, food, festivals, and other ceremonies.

The Egbas are warlike people once occupying a vast territory, known as egbas, forest, extending eastwards to awe now in Oyo state and westward to the edge of Lagos lagoon. They once came under Oyo empire but soon librated themselves through a cooperative strategy schemed by lisabi. however in the early nineteen century they suffered a crushing defeat in the hand of up and coming Ibadan forces who drove them out of their lands, and assassinated their commander in chief , Balogun Lamodi. The Egba command then refuge in 1830 ‘’beneath the rock’’ named OLUMO. This known as Abeokuta was located on the farmland of Aaagba, an itoko farmer.

The new settlement grew rapidly into a well-secured town which gave the Egbas sufficient confidence to extend an invitation to the fleeing own squad , heading for Egbado country or Badagry in search of safety, to stay with the Egbas in Abeokuta .

The enlarged Egbas community soon entrenched itself in the, subduing the neighbouring Egbado communities who had attempted to join the Dahomeans to dislodge the Egbas . The pseudo allies were routed, and the egbas became secured in Abeokuta. Nor could the Ijebus, Oyos and Ibadans henceforth disturb the Egba settlement.
A significant development which occurred about this time in the history of the Egbas was return of some Egbas element bringing back with them superiors know-how in every sphere of life.
Coincidentally too, Christianity made its advent into Nigeria through Abeokuta in 1842, and with it came western education which was to transform the life of the people. The egbas thus began to benefits from the enlightenments which came with the early interaction with the British, and placed the community above all others in the sub-region .


II. THE INDEPENDENT EGBA STATE
The wisest decision taken by the Egbas in their early days at Abeokuta was the abolition of the numerous city kingdom, fusing them into one solid egbas state. The war chiefs who had led the Egbas into Abeokuta under the authority of Seriki Sodeke, established a strong central administration over the town of its environs. So impressed were the British colonialist with the level of egba civilization that they exclude the egbas from the British subjugation, when the rest of Nigerian came under the protection and rule of her majesty government.
The British thus recognised the independent status of the egbas which earned the territory the nomenclature of egbaland, in contradiction of the rest of Nigeria which become known as the protectorate of northern and southern Nigeria.
Indeed in 1893, the British concluded a treaty with the Egbas underlined the autonomy of the federated Egba kingdom. In 1898 were to consolidate their enviable status with an All -Egba cabinet made up of the ALAKE of egba land as president at the head of the cabinet ministers, comprising the sectional Obas; the Osile of Oke Ona, the Agura of Gbagura and the Olowu of Owu and the top traditional muslims and Christians general title chiefs as ministers with assigned portfolios. The Egbas ogboni house at itoku served as senate exercising legislative powers and judicial powers as well over serious crimes like treasons. Less serious offences and civil disputes were handled by the royal court at Idi ere in ake palace all decisions confirmed by the Alake were final hence the saying:Ejo ku s’Ake.

Each of the townships numbering 143 or so administered its own affairs, thus enjoying relative autonomy vis a vis the central administration at Alake. between the central administration and the township administration stood the sectional administration presided over by each Obas i.e. the Osile of Oke Ona, the Agura of Gbagura, and the Olowu of Owu. In the exercise of theirs respective powers, both the townships and the section were subject to the overall authority of Alake- in council. Here is one attribute of the Alake’s paramountcy over all other the obas of Egbaland.
Egba indigenous federalism worked perfectly and helped to promote peace unity and stability. An important feature of this federalism which as endured till today is the sharing formula adopted by the Egbas to the allocation of political offices distribution of assets, and other benefits as well as bearing of burdens . thus Egba Alake being bigger than the other 3 sections put together will take 50% while the remaining 50 % would be divided into three parts to be taken equally by Egba Oke ona, Gbagura , Owu, .
Such was the aura of the unity and stability carried by the egbas in the twilight of the nineteen century and extended to the early twentieth, that their prestige and reputation resounded across the seas. . A famous English author wrote a book about the time which he approximately titled “sunrise within the tropics” describing life and the level of sophistication of the Egbas in that period compared other communities across Africa and elsewhere.
The Egbas administration concluded treaties of friendship, commence and judicial relationship with the British. to further assert their independence status, the Egbas moved to established diplomatic relationship with the British colonial masters by appointing a special envoy in the person of prince Ladapo Ademola who later became oba Ademola II, Alake of Egbaland in 1920. Ademola thus became the diplomatic representatives of the Egbaland in lagos, the seat of the British colonial administrative in nigeria. A further illustration of unique status of Egbaland was the invitation extended to Oba Gbadebo I, to pay a state visit to Britain in 1904 as a guest of queen Victoria he was very well received.
Regrettably however, the British colonial government soon grew impatient with the Egbas who refuse to take dictation from the colonial governor in lagos. They then seized upon a local disturbance in Abeokuta the ijemo-war to deal a deadly blows on the egbas . on pretext on quelling the ensuing unrest and to check the insecurity in the area, which the British felt posed a serious threat to their national interest, they proceeded to ask the independence government of Egbaland.
Thus Egbaland was forcibly brought into the British protectorate of Nigerian in 1918 , deftly ending the posture of a proud independent Egba nation, a free enclave within a dependent Nigeria.


III. THE NIGERIAN NATION
Following the annulment of Egba sovereignty by the British, the Egba quickly reconciled themselves to their new dependent status. The British policy of indirect rule adopted in administering colonial Nigeria enabled the Egba to continue to enjoy some autonomy through the aegis of Egba native authority [ENA]. Thus Egba federation survived with its practice of true federalism which guaranteed unity and stability as well as –prosperity of the area.
The early embracement of western union education as noted above also enabled the Egba to produce high level manpower in virtually every sphere of human endeavour. In the context of the new Nigerian nation, therefore the Egba soon dominated every segment of the society the professions, the public, service including the judiciary, even commerce and industry.
In the former western region under premier Obafemi Awolowo himself, half Egba, the Egba fared reasonably well especially in he civil service . The legendary Simeon Adebo was the Head of the Service while professor Saburi Biobaku was the secretary to the premier and the executive council, with chief S.O Eriwunmi as permanent secretary in charge of a key ministry, Sir Adetokunbo Ademola headed the judiciary.
When Nigeria attained independent on oct.1960, Egba star dimmed politically somewhat. The highest Egba political holders were federal ministers in Balewa government , Dr Koye Majekodunmi and chief Ayo Rosiji.
In the western region , however Alh. D.S Adegbenro was second in command to chief S.L Akintola who had succeeded Chief Obafemi Awolowo as premier. When the crisis within the ruling party, Action group [AG] erupted a majority of the members in western house assembly endorsed D.S Adegbenro as the premier . The NPC-NCNC federal government coalition however blocked Adegbenro premiership thus precipitating a serious political crisis which resulted in the declaration of the state of emergency in the western region in 1962. interestingly the lot fell on Dr. Koye Majekodunmi , a federal minister and an egba son to wear the mantle of sole Administrators with near absolute powers.
The western region crisis deepened culminating in the in the first military coup of January 1966 which sacked elected civilian government and paved away to a prolonged military administrator in Nigeria. The civil war which was fought to check Biafran secession was won by the federal government with General Olusegun Obasanjo, an illustrious Egba son playing a leading role in the combat and had the honour of accepting the surrender of the Biafran Army.
It is worthy of mentioned that the 9-years of general Gowon ,two Egba sons namely Brigadier Oluwole Rotimi and Brigadier Mobolaji Johnson were among the 12 states military governors . It is a matter of pride that only the two of them emerged untarnished following the probe of all the military governors in the country.
With overthrow of General Yakubu Gowon as the head of state, General Muritala Mohammed moved in with General Obasanjo as second –in command when the popular Muritala Mohammed administration fell in to the abortive coup of Dimka in 1976, Obasanjo stepped in as head of state and made history by voluntary handing over power to the elected government of president Shehu Shagari in 1979.


IV. CREATION OF OGUN STATE

In February. 1976, the two provinces of Abeokuta and Ijebu were merged to form Ogun State when Nigeria was restructured in to 19 states. Abeokuta became a state capital. This

development threw up a high expectation that, the old Egba glory would return, Unfortunately, acute rivalry among the ethnic groups making up ogun state, namely Egba, Ijebu, Remo, and Yewa [formerly Egbado] has not enhanced Egba progress.
When in 1979, the military took a bow to usher in an elected civilian Administration, it was assumed that the Egbas would have the first slot as governor. What looked like an ideal candidate emerged in the person of Chief Soji Odunjo being the both egba and the egbado stocks ironically, the Egbado dumped Odunjo and aligned with the Ijebus and Remos to paved the way for Chief Bisi Onabanjo from Ijebu to emerged as the first civilian executive governor of Ogun State .

On the second coming of the civilian rule after yet another military regime [1983-1999]Chief Olusegun Osoba an Egba became governor and served his full termed of four years . He was succeeded in 2003 by Otunba Gbenga Daniel from Remo who is now serving his second term as Governor.
How have the Egbas feared since the creation of Ogun State? The General verdict is that their situation could have been better, given the size of their population and the fact that the capital of the state was suited in Abeokuta the heartland of territory, The grouse is that given the historical structure of Abeokuta and the fact that it is now a state capital , the town should have had more to show for its new status compared to the other state in the country.
The present Administration in Ogun State is quite aware of Egba discontent which recently re-echoed during the high level dialogued between the Governor Daniel and a high powered Egba delegation led by his majesty Oba Adedotun Gbadabo Okukenu IV, the Alake and paramount Ruler in Egbaland.
The Egbas acknowledge some notable improvement which the Governor has introduced to Abeokuta the modernisation of the royal pavilion at the Ake palace square, transforming the Olumo rock into the Ultra- modern tourist attraction of international standard the dualisation of a number of city roads, notably lalubu street, Oke ilewo the construction of modern residential estates at various location in the city for all level of the society high, middle and low.
The Governor took the trouble to explain that he was willing to do more, but emphasized his constraints mainly funding, expenses incurred on behalf of the federal; government in carrying out works which are responsibility of the federal government where the latter has been slow to act, where often not defrayed timely, thus, participating a short fall in the available funds for states project.
The Egbas applaud the state governor for the new surge in development of Abeokuta and the other areas making up Egbaland, but still felt that much more was deserved, they recognised that the governor is responsible for all the segment making up Ogun State that must be even handed .
At the same time, we must stress that all fingers are not equal. In any distribution, given the size and stature of Egabland, the Division must take a lions share in the State. In other words on grounds of its population and for hosting the State Capital, Egbaland must receive primary and bigger attention.
In this regard, we would like to know percentage of the State Budget is allocated to Abeokuta as State Capital, and what share is allocated to Egba Division as the biggest of the four divisions. We may have here respectfully suggest that after deducting the expenses for the State Capital (Abeokuta) whatever remains should be allocated to the four Divisions on the basis of two-fifths (2/5) going to Egbaland, while three-fifths )3/5) are shared equally between Ijebus, Remo and Yewa. This is true equity.


[b]V. EGBALAND VIS A VIS NIGERIAN NATION
If the Egbas appear not to have fared satisfactorily within Ogun State, what is the position nationally, that is, within the large Nigeria Nation?
The Egbas had produced many outstanding human materials for Nigeria; within the Profession: Law (Chief F.R.A. Williams, Prince Bola Ajibola), Medicine (Professor Thomas Lambo and Koye Ransome – Kuti), Accountancy (Akintola Williams, Egunjobi, Folorunso Oke, Bola Kuforiji-Olubi, Idris Sulaiman), Judiciary (Justice Adetokunbo Ademola – first indigenous Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olumuyiwa Jibowu, George Sodehinde Sowemimo, S. O. Lambo), Public service (Simeon Adebo), Literature (Wole Soyinka – of Egba mother), Music (Sowande, Fela Ransome-Kuti, Ebenezer Obey, Sina Peters, Adeola Akinsanya – Baba Eto, Prince Adekunle, Yusuff Olatunji – adopted Egba son, Ayinla Omowura) Sports (Sprinters: Arogundade, Ajao, Erinle; High Jumpers: Majekodunmi and Sobande), Women Emancipation and Enterprise (Iyalode Tinubu, Mrs. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti and Iyalode Bisi Tejuoso).
In the political life of Nigeria, we have given the country a military Head of State in the person of General Olusegun Obasanjo. We even produced one Civilian president in the person of Chief M.K.O. Abiola who was elected on June 12, 1993 in the fairest and freest elections in Nigeria but who, alas, was not allowed to take his post following the unpardonable and controversial annulment of the landmark elections. Abiola was to die a martyr and hero in strange circumstances while in Abacha’s detention. There was also Ernest Adegunle Sonekan, the Interim Head of state (1993). We also gave to Nigeria chief Olusegun Obasanjo in is coming as elected president of Nigeria between 1999 and 2007, sadly marred toward the end by his alleged Third Term Bill which he has vigorously denied.[/b]

Under the current Administration of President Umar Musa Yar’Adua, the fortunes of Egbaland appear to be on the rise once more. Providence delivered an unexpected top political position to the Egbas in 2007 through the fortuitous emergence of Hon. Dimeji Saburi Bankole as Speaker of the House of Representatives thus becoming the No. 4 Citizen of Nigeria.
Without sounding immodest, no other group in Nigeria had given so much to the Nation as Egbaland, yet we seem to have got little in return. There is no major Federal presence in Egbaland. Even though Egbaland was the cradle of Western Education in Nigeria and the birthplace of Christianity in the Country, it rook decades after the establishment of the University College of Ibadan in 1948, before a full-pledged University was sited in Abeokuta in the form of the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. Some may argue back that the Obasanjo have held the Head of Government position twice in rear times. He should know what was best for his own people.




VI. FUTURE CONCERNS
The Egbas are now in a fix. Yes, as things are, they are caught in an ethnic trap. As noted above an Egba son has been the Head of State of Nigeria twice, if rotation is henceforth entrenched, not Yoruba or Egba man will taste the Presidency for at least another half a century. Even to occupy Ogun Governorship, an Egba man may have to wait another ten or eighteenth years.
Of course I must here emphasis that I do not personally endorsed rotation or zoning for the post of Chief Executive of the Country or State. The best candidate in terms of personal qualification, ability, competence, integrity and humane disposition, should be elected to the relevant post. I am, aware that on his issue I am in a minority at the present time. But if the majority has to prevail, it should do so on the basis of fairness and equity. The Egbas should not be forced to submit to equal share in terms of Ogun Governorship slot.
As earlier argued, if anything is being shared in Ogun State, the sharing must revolve around the number 5. This means that the Egbas on grounds of their population must have the Governorship slow twice while the rest would have the slot once each. If follows that Egabs and Yewa would context for the next slot it 2011..

Proud egbaite!

[b]HISTORY OF EGBA
The story of Abeokuta, the abode of the Egbas, started with their liberation from the sovereignty and over Lord-ship of the Alafin of Oyo Empire, to which the Egbas hitherto belonged.
The Liberation took place between 1775 and 1780, under the leadership of Lisabi, a resident of Igbehin, but who was born in Itoku. He organized a movement under the name of Egbe “Aaro” Tradition mutual Aid society.
Lisabi later used the mutual Aid assistance to free the Egba by organizing the simultaneous killing of the Ajales or the Ilaris in all Egba towns, in 1780, starting from Igbehin. In all more than 600 llaris or Ajeles were wiped out in one day. Ilaris the representative of the Alafin of Oyo and collectors of the tribute paid to the coffer of Alafin from all territories under the Oyo Empire.
The Ajales or Ilaris in general, behaved like an Army of Occupation in the places they administered. Their Tyrannical rules mark them out as instrument of oppression and suppression of the people. It was this Authoritarian rule of the Alafin and reckless life’s style of this Ilaris in Egbaland that threw up Lisabi and is Peers who were resolve to bring an end to the evil rule at all cost. The adoption of the universal popular Aaro system of cooperation by the “Egbe Ologun” (Arms Bearers Club) was the strategy Lisabi used to plot against the Ilaris in his Igbehin town. All the other Egba town rose and killed the Ilaris in their midst.
As soon as the news reaches metropolitan Oyo the Oloyo wasted no time in dispatching an Army to crush the Egbe Rebellion. But Lisabi divisional anticipated in the Reprisal an had factored it into his plan the Army of vengeance was routed and the freedom of the Egbas from the yoke of the Alafin was sealed. The time to which this Episode in Egba is to relate was between 1775 an 1780. The period between 1780 and 1828 in the history of Egba was post-Lisabi era in the Egba forest.
One would have thought that having been liberated from the vice like grip of imperialisms the Egba were not given to serve any monarch, even though they have an Oba, and their constitution was monarchy but would strive to sustain their new found freedom by forging stronger cooperative relation among them selves. That was not to be some factors which were inherent in their psychological make up soon re-surface once the focused of their un usual unity (somehow superimpose by Lisabi force of character) was missing the internal squabbles and disaffection among the people were often fertilized by the inter-personal dissention among the leaders who were mainly chiefs.
Around 1829, Lamodi of Igbehin and Balogun of the Egba, living in Maye’s camp in Ibadan, decided that the Egba should find a way of escape from Maye’s bondage. The Egbas had heard about Abeokuta earlier on in their quest for a place with good security to settle in. they sent chief Sobookun, the Baamokun of Ilugun, and others to bring a handful of earth and the result was propitious.
History revealed that the Egbas did not get to Abeokuta at the same time. The first batch to arrived Abeokuta consisted of Egba Alake, Oke Ona, and Gbagura, in that order. Later Olufakun led the Owu to Abeokuta, while others followed. Lamodi lost is wife in an epic battle while trying to prevent his first son, Osota, from being captured by Maye’s army, who were pursuing the Egba. But before he died, he handed over the mantle of leadership Sodoke. The seriki of the Egbas, Sodeke, in 1830 led the Egba Alake into Abeokuta. Balogun Olunloye, the Balogun Ilugun, led Ogba Oke-Ona whilst Oluwole Agbo, Balogun Ojo Gbagura, led the Gbagura to Abeokuta, likes Joshua in the bible. Sodeke of Iporo finally led the Egbas to Abeokuta in 1830.
It was revealed that an Iloko chief named Idowu Liperu had earlier been living at the settlement. He had cross the Ogun River and settles on a farmland, were three hunters, namely Jibulu, Ose and Olunle joined him. Unlike, Liperu, who erected a house with the assistance of the then Olubara Lafa the three hunters lodge in caves under the Olumo Rock. It was them who told the Egba delegate who came to take soil samples about the Olumo Rock.
Later, Adagba and other move to the rock to join Liperu and the three hunters, who had settle there. Adagba was a brave man, who had is farmland located very close to olumo rock. The settlement was called “Oko Adagba,” the other man for Abeokuta while Olumo Rock took his name from it being natural furnished with apartment. “Olumo “means built by the Lord.” Other historians maintained that the meaning of olumo is “Oluwa Fimo” meaning God put an end to our hostility against the Egbas and their suffering.” Abeokuta is also known as “Abe Olumo”.
After the demise of chief Sodeke, Abeokuta has no leaders for quite a number of years. The administration of the town was left in the hands of chiefs like Ogunbona, the Balogun of Ikija, Okukene the Sagbua of Ake; Someye, the seriki who later became Bashorun who succeeded Apati, Bada of Kemta and others.
The Egbas realized that they are not united as they had been when Sodeke brought them together. The thought of having an Oba came to them and the lot fell on Okukene, the Sabua of Ake and head of Egba Ogboni – an industrious woodcarver. He installed the Alake of Abeokuta on August 8, 1854. Oba Okukene’s reign witnessed the advancement of Christianity, commerce and the advent of European merchants in Abeokuta.
He died in 1862. An interregnum of about seven years elapsed between the death of Okukene and the installation of another Oba in the person of Ademola 1 – who reigned between 1869 and 1877. He was succeeded by Oyekan who reigned between 1879 to 1881. It was the turn of Luwaji to reign between 1885 to1889. Osokalu ruled between 1891 and 1898. Egba became a nation during Oba Osokalu. Gbadebo 1, ruled between 1889 to1920. Sir Ladapo Ademola II reigned from 1920-1962. Oba Adeshina Gbadebo II reigned from 1963 to 1971. Oba (Dr.) Oyebade Lidepe ruled between 1972 and the year 2005.
Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, Okukene IV, born 14 September 1943, was elected the Alake of Egbaland on 2 August 2005 and reigns till date. He is from Laarun Ruling House, a grandson of the sixth Alake of Egbaland, Oba Gbadebo, who ruled from 188 to 1920. He attended the Baptist Boys’ High School in Abeokuta, and then went on to the University of Ibadan in 1965, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1969.http://www.oluitori.com/history.html[/b]

proud to part of a great ethnic group to be reckon. With. Egbaland produced the first woman to drive a car in Nigeria, the first accountant, the first chief justice, the first person to win a nobel price in the whole of Africa. What about in politics, we have OBJ head of state and later civilian president, shonekan the interim president b4 Abacha overthrow the government. Democracy in Nigeria will not be complete without mentioning Abiola. In music we have fela, Ebenezer Obey etc whose music re force to reckon with despite the huge generation gap with our generation. Long live Egbaland, long live Abeokuta, long live Ogun state, love live the Yoruba Nation @ large and finally, long live Nigeria.

proudly egba,egba agbewa oooo

No damn tribe can match us,even the ijebus know well. Always and forever an EGBA nigga.

why hasn't this hit FP? Obinoscopy, Mogidi, Lalasticlala, Israelairforce please do the needful. this is a good resource for researchers on the sociopolitical history of Abeokuta.

Interesting.....

pls, what are the impacts of Christianity on egba people

Some people will say they introduced ogboni olorogun etc to yorubas and how their civilization spans 20 million years

Who know any history about ijaiye that's close to egba gbagura