History of Ile-Oluji

Ile-Oluji is bounded on the south by Otasun Hills, Okurughu and Awo rivers, and on the south west by Okeigbo (in Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo Local Government Council), and o n the North East by Oni rivers and Ikeji Hills. on the East, partly by River Owena and partly by Ondo (in Ondo Local Government Council)2, and on the West by the tributary of the Oni River. Her immidate neighbours are Ondo, Okeigbo, Idanre and Ipetu-Ijesha.

Ile-Oluji has a variety of land forms which can be classified into three broad physical units; the plains, the undulating highlands, and river valleys. The highlands however dominate the landscape. The township is an enclave like Idanre. She is surrounded by many granite rocks such as Ota-Ororo, Ota-Akoko, Ota-Didu, Ota-Upote and Iguruguru. The soil is well drained by many rivers, such as Owe, Aigo, Esinmu, Iyire, Ogburu, Oni and Awo. This, combined with abundant rainfall, makes the soil very fertile for the cultivation of food crops such as Cassava, Yams vegetation, which is ever-green forest, is also very rich and useful for the cultivation of cash crops such as Oilpalm, rubber, kola nuts and cocoa. Ile-Oluji is noted for the production of Cocoa and Kolanut in the State.

The majority of the people are farmers and hunters, due to the geographical conditions, which are favourable for both occupations. They also deal in the felling of timber and tapping of rubber, as well as in local industries and trading activities.

There are many traditions of origin as regards to Ile-Oluji. But only one would be considered. The story started when Ile-Ife was under the reign of Orisa.The birth of twins was then considered a sign of misfortune, and a social taboo, if they were allowed to live. it was the custom to kill both the twins and their mother. Oduduwa settled in Ile-Ife had a set of twins, a male and female, from his wife. Orisa went to pay Oduduwa a congratulatory visit. Orisa annoyed to find twins, and he said " ki ni awon ki ni pupupu yi ? " meaning, " What are these small, small things ? ", Oduduwa responded " Ore re", that is, " There are gifts ", Orisa then decreed that Oduduwa should destroy the twins and their mother. Due to the love he had for them, Oduduwa did not want them killed. The name of the male was Orere and the female was Pupupu and the name of their mother was Olu-Ulode. Oduduwa entrusted the twins and their mother into the care of Ija, his trusted servant and chief hunter, to be taken away and settled in a remote place. They find there way to Ekun-Ijamo after they left Epe. When they got there, they met some inhabitants. when they saw the first person, they thought he was a fairy, because he was covered with white hair on his head and body. They ask him thus; "Iwin da e, ka be nia?" that is, "Is this a fairy or a human being?". He replied "men suwen" meaning, "I am not a fairy",(The man was thereafter known as "Suwen". They later asked him "kai bi ilu wa?" That is, "where is the town?" He answered "Odo ilu wa", that is, "The town is down yonder". The place where these questions and answers were exchanged is now called "Odo ilu wa, and contracted to "Odolua".

The entourage was well received by the people of Ekun. among these people were Akasa, Suwen and Ogunja. These three names have been turned to traditional titles. Oduduwa constantly paid visits to the twins while they were at Ekun Ijamo. During one of his visits to Ekun, his wife (Olu) had a daughter, Okuta, which Oduduwa took back with him to Ile-Ife. Some years later, Olu fell ill and died. the people thought that she was asleep. They later sent message to Oduduwa in Ile-Ife that Olu had been sleeping for seven days and had not woken up (Olu sun, koji), Oduduwa known she had died, he then ordered her remains to be put in a earthen pot and buried. The place where Olu slept and did not wake up was named Odolu.

It is from the event of the death of Olu at Ekun-Ijamo that the town, Ile-Oluji, derived her present name from the time of the death of Olu ( The mother of the twins) onwards Ekun-Ijamo was referred to as "Ile ti Olu sun ti ko ji". This name was later changed to Ile-Oluji. As time went on, one of the twins, named Oluwa died, but the other grew up. He extended the town, and being a prince, Akasa surrendered sovereign power to him. He became the first king of Ile-Oluji and took the title "Jegun" meaning "Conqueror" He was named Jegun Orere.