Ijebu Imusin Annual Rally
(Odun Omo Olumusen)
Compiled and written by Otunba Edmund O. Oshinaike
Reviewed and Updated by Chief Joseph Olafemi Orekoya
In the last two decades or so, there has been annual rallies among communities in Yoruba land, with the central objective of focusing attention onto themselves and attracting by their indigenes home to take active interest in their community
development, celebrating such events as this “Day” or that “Day”. In Ile-Ife whichisthecradle of Yorubas for example, the event is dubbed “Ife Day” and the first of its kindwasheld same two decades ago.
Ijebu Imusin stands out as an originator among communities which have beenholdingannual rallies. No community has been at it for as long as Ijebu Imusin. Asthecommunity has been celebrating the event for 60 years without a break (not evenduring the civil war). It is to the credit of our intelligent, patriotic and visionaryforefathers who originated and natured it and to the grace and glory of Almighty Godwhoendowed and continues to endow Ijebu Imusin with such human assets.
The compilation of the first book was commissioned by the Ijebu Imusin PlanningBody(IPB) – the current organizer of the annual rally, to celebrate 50years landmark. Material for the booklet was collated from a book written in 1970 by Canon (Chief) D. A. Odutayo(of blessed memory) and notes were documented by Chief J. A. Gboteko andMr. M. A. Adetola as well as the records of latter day organizers of the rally. Becauseit isauthoritative, Canon (Chief) Odutayo’s book, which covered the first twenty sixyearshistory, has been re-produced substantially.
Late Otunba Edward O. Osinaike edited and wrote the preface of the first book titled“50years history of Ijebu Imusin Annual Rally”.
The first edited book was updated as “60years history of Ijebu Imusin Annual Rally,” bythe current President of Ijebu Imusin Planning Body, Hon Chief Olufemi Orekoya. Theupdated edition retained the set-out and contents of the first book and expandedourth Anniversary of Odun Omolumusinof 2004.
records to cover developments up to the 60
THE ORIGIN
It all started during the Easter Holiday in 1944 when, Mr. D. Ade. Odutayo at that timesecretary of the Ijebu-Ode branch of the Imusin Progressive Society (IPS), went homeonholidays and paid a visit to St. Peter’s Primary school Ikala, where he sawthe childrenlearning letter writing and for their address they wrote:-
St. Peter’s School,
Ikala, Via Isonyin,
P.O.Box 36,
Ijebu-ode.
Mr. Odutayo’s in his patriotism realized and concluded that the children couldgraduallylose affinity with their compatriots in other parts of Imusin. This fear in suchdirectionarose from the unfortunate circumstance of the church at Ikala, being placedunderthesuperintendence of the Vicar of Emmanuel church, Isonyin. Mr. Odutayo felt that if nosteps were taken, the children would ultimately forget their natural oneness withImusin. It should be remembered that when the people of Ipepe, a village near Ikala, deserted their homes years ago for certain reasons, almost all of themmoved tosettleatIsonyin.
Mr. Odutayo recalled the past history of Ijebu Imusin which stated that Imusinwas madeup of 323 villages and hence he surmised that if no checks were made, Ikala andhersuburban villages could in future drift away and the present Imusin district of just onlyfifty villages could dwindle further. He had a chat with the teacher in charge, Mr. J. A. Adegbesan, on how to make the children know their local history andwhatarrangements could be made to get their letters through the Post Office Box of St. Mary’schurch, Ijebu Imusin.
The following day, Mr. Odutayo paid similar visit to St. Paul’s school, Igbaga andSt. Andrew’s school, Imuwen to see what was happening. The position was normal ineachof these two schools, this was because the two were under the supervision of theVicarof St. Mary’s Ijebu Imusin.
After, Mr. Odutayo returned to Ijebu-ode branch of IPS and suggested that a planbedevised to bring together all the young children, particularly in schools in thewholedistrict once a while for a festival or for common activities, and that a competitionbeincluded in which there would be letter writing, essay writing on Imusin andtopicsof common interest. He was commissioned to work in concert with Mr. E. O. Kalejaiyeandboth to prepare a paper which could be circulated to other branches of IPS. It wasalsodecided that steps be taken to get the Ijebu-ode Anglican District Church Council totransfer the management of the churches at Ikala and Ilagunjo to St. Mary’s ChurchIjebuImusin.
At the May 1944 meeting of the Ijebu-ode branch, the paper was adopted and a decisionwas taken to pass copies on to the Lagos branch which was more or lesstheHeadquarters of the society and through Lagos to the other branches. In August 1994, Messers Kalejaiye and Odutayo were transferred from Ijebu-ode to Lagos. Adevelopment which sadly affected Ijebu-ode branch for it slowly withered away andhassince not been able to stand on its feet. In Lagos Mr. Odutayo was appointedthesoleexaminer for the competitive examination in 1944. He was given some assistantsthefollowing year while he continued in the office till 1947 after which Mr. P. A. Ayanbulestepped into his shoes and worked for many years.
THE FIRST CELEBRATION
The first celebration which could not be called a rally in the modern sense was heldearly in December, 1944 before the schools went on vacation for Christmas. TheI.P.SLagos branch, under the dynamic presidency of Mr. L. A. Onajobi had contactedandgained the consent of all voluntary agencies running schools in the district. Thesixschools then existing were, St. Mary’s, St. Peter claver’s, the moslem, St. Andrew’sImuwen, St. Paul’s Igbaga and St. peter’s Ikala, took part in the first CompetitiveExamination.
Each school entered three competitors for English, arithmetic and general intelligenceinstandards four, five and six and for arithmetic and writing in standards, one andtwotogive opportunity to the young schools which were L.A. Kokunnesere, L. A. ModernSchool, St. Martin’s Modern school, St. Anthony’s Grammar school had not beenestablished at the time.
The first celebration was held in St. Mary’s school which had a very big hall. ReverendFather, now Monsignor Pedro Martins who was then in charge of Esure, Ijebu-Imusinpresided. Four representatives of the Lagos branch of IPS, namely Messers D. A. Jaiyeola(who later became the Oloko of Ijebu-Imusin), J. I. Talabi, D. Ade Odutayo andMr. B. O. Otulana were delegated to supervise the celebration. Teachers fromall the schoolsandtheir pupils were present and many important personalities fromall walks were invited. The occasion was watched by all the chiefs, and elders of Imusin land headedbyChief Suberu Adebule the overlord “Baale of Imusin. It was an impressive occasion. Thebestthree places in each subject were awarded book prizes provided then by individual members of the Society. It was the practice then to write the name of the winner, hisschool, the position and the subject. The president finally counter-signed thebooks. Some of the early winners were Mr. Adewole Osobamiro (now an engineer), Mr. M. A. Adetona (now retired auditor general of the federation), Mr. Kamoru Sansi (nowaretired vet doctor and Oba Obelu of Esure Ijebu-Imusin), Mr. I. A. Okusanya a retiredschool principal now deceased and a host of others.
THE AFTERMATH OF THE FIRST CELEBRATION
The glowing success of the first celebration gave such an encouragement, that theLagosIPS sat down to have a proper planning along the lines of the original paper fromIjebu-ode branch. A period around the August Bank Holiday was selected as the most suitablewhen all and sundry could come home. It was a time not fettered to any religious festival and civil servants could conveniently travel back on Monday. The programme startedonFridays with Muslim worship and prayer at the Central Mosque, series of activitiesopening with Woro Dance on Saturdays, worship prayer and thanksgiving inchurcheson Sundays and travelling back to their base on Mondays. It was the practice withtheLagos branch of I. P. S to observe the week preceding the rally every year as a weekof prayer and fast by as many as could practice it, some devoted ones coming togetherevery evening at agreed place.
THE GROWTH
In 1945, Mr. J. A. Gboteku organized a youth section known as Ijebu-ImusinYouthsAssociation with branches at home, Lagos and Ibadan. This association undertookthearrangement for concert and plays (OPERA) on Saturday nights of the Rally, this becamea regular feature of the Rally while all Baby show was introduced into the rallies inthelate forties. After some years, in the middle of the fifties to be precise, the YouthSectionwas fused with the Mother Society (IPS) in order to enhance one and coherent body.
In 1962, Mr. J. A. Gboteku founded Ijebu-Imusin Youth Association in London. TheAssociation had a unifying effect and sent home a recording of series of activitiesmembers organized in England.
The spirit of patriotism took firm roots as branches of the IPS started to functioninvarious parts of the country like Benin, Kano, Zaria, Ajilete, Ado-Odo, Abeokuta andlaterat Oyo. Representative(s) of the branches attended the rallies with each branchpayingits quota towards the running costs/expenses. Prizes for the school children werelaternot donated by volunteers, but were bought from the common purse. So also werethegifts given out to the babies.
A central body called the “National Conference” was formed to meet twice a yeartoorganize the rally. The Group Council gave the activities its moral support. Infact itbegan to yield the desired fruit in transforming the people from their lukewarmattitudein the district, to one of vibrancy.
In 1947, the entire people rose to give Ijebu-Imusin a new sense of direction. Peopleof neighboring districts impressed that Imusin once again was on the rise to regainherpast glory. It was then the Oloko chieftaincy which had been a great bone of contentionwas resuscitated and approved. Oba D. A. Jaiyeola ascended the throne as the Olokoof Ijebu-Imusin in 1954.
In the second half of the fifties, a new youth organisation, this time made up of educatedelements mostly undergraduates, secondary school leavers and senior secondaryschool students, came into existence under the name of Ijebu-Imusin beacons society(JIBS)and injected new blood which was most needed then. This new society had highidealsand attempted to move mountains by their projects. After about eight years of existence, it ran into management problems from which it did not recover. They establishedacommunity library which was praise-worthy. To the credit of JIBS too, we must recordthe inclusion of the annual dance which today is still one of the highlights of therallyevery year. The rally dance was very popular throughout the area and was attendedfrom all parts of Ijebu land, bringing cheer, glee and sunshine at a season whenlifeinall places was generally dull.
Most notable among the leaders of Ijebu-Imusin Beacons Society (JIBS) were MessersTunde Ogundeko, Akin Osiyale, Adewale Adebayo and Akin Osinowo, all of whomarenow proud elders of the community. JIBS gave new impetus for the motivationof theyouths and the community for the development of human and material resources inthesociety.
The staging of plays (OPERA) and dance was held in rotation by the three branches: Home, Lagos and Ibadan. A percentage of the surplus proceeds was allowed tobekeptby the branch responsible for each year while the balance, always the larger share, waspassed on to Common Funds.
Two points are worth mentioning which are bit disturbing since the inceptionof theRally. First, in the early fifties, certain school authorities agitated against the CompetitiveExamination complaining that only certain schools used to win the prizes. This forcedthe Central Executive to decide to allow the headmasters to test their own childrenandrecommend the prize winners. This had the advantage of giving a share of the caketoevery school but unfortunately the fire of enthusiasm and the spirit of rivalrycharacteristic of the competition cooled down and the children no longer faredasbrilliantly as before in External Examinations. As the main purpose of the rally wastheunification of all the villages engendering a spirit of belonging and oneness, this reactionof the Central Organizing Body could not be blamed. The second was that, fromthemiddle of the fifties, the flame of party politics had an adverse influence onthenewsurge of patriotic feeling and almost smoldered the unity but for the Grace of God.
Other young organisations raised their heads to help in promoting mutual understanding. The Ijebu-Imusin Development Union deserves special mention. It waslocalized at Ibadan with a different objective from that of the IPS Ibadan branch, butcooperated with various organisations working for the welfare of Imusin land. Anothernew organisation was the Ijebu Imusin Development League. Not much couldbesaidabout it but one encouraging stand of the League was their effort to join hands withtheParent Society, the I.P.S.
RALLY OF HONOUR
With regard to the Annual Rally, there are certain names which must go on record, apartfrom those already mentioned, for the outstanding work they carried towardsthegrowth and the achievements of the rally.
First on this list is Chief A. O. Oresanya, who for almost twenty years was the presidentof the Lagos branch of the IPS. And the President General of the Ijebu-ImusinCentral Conference the Governing Body of the celebration of the Rally. Until 1968whenheresigned from all duties, chief Oresanya devoted all within his power selflesslytotheservice of his fatherland. His contributions cannot easily be forgotten. It wasinrecognition of this that he was honoured posthumously thirteen years later in1991withthe Ijebu-Imusin Merit Award (ICMA). Mr. B. N. Shoga was the president of thehomebranch, succeeded later by Revd. S. P. Osinuga, who also became the first PresidentGeneral.
The effort of Revd. Osinuga in trying to bring all disagreeing parties together will alwaysbe remembered. Others worth mentioning are Chief A. O. Igbodipe, who for manyyearswas the President of the Home branch and later Vice President General of the Central Body.
Others were chief J. I. Talabi, for many years Treasurer General and later PresidentGeneral; chief D. A. Jaiyeola of Lagos branch during whose tenure the rally cameinto
existence; Mr. B. O. Runsewe for many years Secretary General. Pa D. O. Otefowobi, styledindefatigable “permanent” secretary general, who was in the office for seventeenyears; and Mrs. S. A. Anjorin a regular member from Ibadan. Mrs. E.O. Odulaja held the singularhonour of being the only lady president of the Lagos section for the many yearsthesociety lasted. Chief J. A. Gboteku’s love for youths was displayed as founder andorganizer of the youth wing in Nigeria and overseas.
Pa E. S. Onatola was the scribe, the artist and the musician of the society. He wasthecomposer of the Ijebu-Imusin Anthem which is in use till this day. He was thefirstrecipient of Ijebu-Imusin merit award ICMA in 1998 at the very inception of theawardand in recognition of his great patriotic zeal and leadership.
Other like Chief L. A. Onajobi, P. A Ayanbule, E. O. Kalejaiye, G.B. Ige, Ven. N. E. Osisanya, B. O. Otulana and chief Ade Okenla left remarkable impression. Though younger chief Bayeplayed a recognizable role in Lagos.
CHANGE OF BATON
Due to the advancing age of the founding fathers, it became necessary to pass themantleof organizing the annual rally to the younger generation. The I.P.S organized the rallyforthe last time in the year 1980. Then came in the ‘clubs of clubs’. As the name impliedthiswas a body of representatives of youth clubs in Ijebu-Imusin community. It tookchargeof organizing the rally in the year 1981.
Pa Otefowobi speaking for the ageing leaders of the IPS had called for younger elementsto take up the responsibility for organizing the Annual Rallies.
In response, representatives of 10 leading clubs met and formed the Clubof Clubs. Among the clubs were Ijebu-Imusin Club, De Anokoru club, A club, Club 10, Club15, Club 58 and Ijebu-Imusin Development Union from Ibadan. Mr. Simon Odubela of Ijebu Imusin Club was proem Chairman. Lawyer Adebola Adekoya and Mr. Bayo Otulanagavepositive support. After successfully organizing the Rally in 1981, the Clubof Clubscollapsed as a result of disagreement among member Clubs on added roles.
This crisis led to the formation of the Ijebu-Imusin Planning Body (IPB) in 1981. It tookover the relay baton for the Rally in 1982 and remained the vehicle of development inth November, 1981at the
Ijebu-Imusin since then. I.P.B held its inaugural meeting on 7 Comprehensive High School, Ilagunjo on the initiative of Major-General T. BOgundekowith Otunba Peter A. Adegbesan taking notes at the meeting as secretary. Drawingits
members from individual sons and daughters and later admitting social andcultural clubs, mainly comprising youths, I.P.B. soon found its feet firmly on the ground. Itsobjectives are as laudable as the I.P.S of old with emphasis on education andsocio-economic development and its members like chips of the old block are as committedand patriotic as our forebears.
IPB ROLL OF LEADERS
1981 Major General. T. B Ogundeko Rtd OFR Convener of inaugural meeting.
PRESIDENTIAL TRAIN
st president)
1982-83 Engineer S. A. Osobamiro (1
1983 – Oct. 86 Dr. K. A. Sansi (now Oba Obelu of Esure Ijebu-Imusin) Oct. 1986-88 Otunba Sir Peter A. Adegbesan
1989 – 1990 Alhaji T. A. Badmus
1991 – 1992 Otunba F. A. Igbodipe
1993 – 1994 Otunba A. O. Akinsanya
1995 – 1996 Prince M. A. Adedeji
1997– June 1998 Otunba Edward Osinaike (died as president) July 1998– 2000 Prince Bayo Otulana
2001 – 2002 Bashorun P. Kayode Omolayole
2003 – 2004 Hon Chief Olufemi Orekoya
It needs to be placed on record that the only steadfast female member of I.P.BtodateisChief (Mrs.) P. A. Ogundeko. A worthy woman of almost inexhaustible energy, shehasagood record of attendance at monthly meetings, has once served as Treasurer andremains a constant figure in all annual rally preparations. A special appeal inherebymade to daughters and daughters-in-law of Ijebu-Imusin to follow the good footstepsof Chief (Mrs.) Ogundeko. All hands are required to be on deck in our development efforts.
Inspired by the lofty ideals of past leaders of various adult and youth groups, inrecenttimes, our youths in the United Kingdom have come together under the umbrellaof Ijebu-Imusin Progressive Association UK branch. Members and their wives are thrilledby the annual celebrations of Odun Omolumusin, which they had enjoyedintheiryounger days, and have shown positive interest to contribute to the growth andfameof Ijebu-Imusin. At Rally 2003, they donated vests to the organizers of the Rally andhavepledged to soon carry out the terrazzo flooring of the Community Centre ComplexHall.
Preparation for each annual rally commences with the appointment rally Chairmanwell ahead of rally. A rally committee reports every stage of preparation to monthly meetingsof I.P.B. while he is granted a lot of discretion in planning, final approval rests withI.P.B. chairmen of annual rally committees since I.P.B took over are listed below:
1982 – Major General T. B. Ogundeko (Rtd) OFR 1983 – Otunba A.A. Badejo
1984 – Otunba E. O. Oshinaike
1985 – Otunba G. Okuneye
1986 – Mr. Bayo Otulana
1987 – Otunba J. A. O. Akinsanya
1988 – Chief Remi Abiodun
1989 – Mr. P. K. Omolayole
1990 – Mr. Segun Abiodun
1991 – Hon (Chief) Wale Osun
1992 – Chief (Mrs.) Tale Otukoya
1993 – Hon Chief Femi Orekoya
1994 – Engr. Funsho Odukoya
Nov. 1995 – Otunba Kunle Adegbesan
1996 – Barrister Tunji Ayanlaja SAN – Otunba S. A. O. Odubela (coordinator)
1997 – Chief A. O. Idowu (coordinator)
1998 – Mr. S. A. Badmus “
1999 – Mr. J. A. Sanwoolu “
2000 – Mr. J. A. Sanwoolu “
2001 – Mr. S. A. Badmus “
2002 – Mr. A. S. Kadiri “
2003 – Evang. D. K. Bankole “
In 1996, the organisation of the Annual Rally took new dimension. Mr. Tunji AyanlajaSAN was appointed the Rally Committee Chairman for the Rally. While acceptingtheposition, he promised to source for dignitaries and donations for the Rally, but becauseof his schedule of work and trips in and out to the country, he sought for anassistantwho is home based to coordinate the activities of the various sub-committees. Theposition of Rally coordinator was thus created with Otunba Simon Oduleba appointedtoserve in that position. The difficulty of picking a committee chairman in 1997sawChief A. O. Idowu as Rally coordinator, with the president and some IPB members helpingtosource for Rally dignitaries. Ever since then, the organisation of the Rally has becomethe responsibility of the Executive assisting the Rally coordinator under the guidanceof the president.
A new flavor which the I.P.B added to an already grandiose annual rally in recent timesisthe conferment of Ijebu-Imusin Community Merit Award, ICMA, on deserving indigenes. Taking a cue from the national and state merit awards, ICMA is conferred by I.P.Bonouroutstanding indigenes, dead or alive, who have indisputably made notable andworthycontributions to the social, educational and economic advancement of Ijebu-Imusincommunity. The award ceremony, characterized by the reading of a citationanddecoration of the recipient with a garland, is indeed an impressive spectacle tobehold. Winners of the award are as follows:
1998 Pa. E.S. Onatola (composer of Ijebu-Imusin anthem) 1990 Chief Dr. C. O. Ogunbanjo
Chief J. A. Gboteku
1991 Balogun J. A. Sanni
Chief A. O. Oresanya (post-humous)
1992 Chief D. O. Otefowobi (post humous)
Dr. (Chief) M. O. Omolayole
1993 Ven. N. E. A. Osisanya (post humous)
Canon (chief) D. A. Odutayo
Engineer Chief S. A. Osobamiro
1994 Alhaji T. A. Badmus
Maj. General T. B. Ogundeko (rtd) OFR
Chief A. O. Igbodipe
1997 Otunba P. A. Adegbesan
Late Otunba Gbolade Okuneye (post humous)
1998 Mr. M. O. Adedeji
Otunba Tade Ismail
1999 Professor A. O. Osiyale
2000 Otunba F. A. Igbodipe
Chief Mrs. P. A. Ogundeko
2001 Otunba J. A. O. Akinsanya
Late Otunba Edmund Osinaike (post humous)
2002 Prince Bayo Otulana
Chief Mrs. Modupe Otukoya
2003 Barrister Olatunji Ayanlaja SAN Hon. Chief Olawole Oshun
th Anniversary of the Annual Rally, ICMAis being
On the occasion of the 2004 60
conferred on these eminent indigenes.
1. Architect S. O. Jaiyesimi
2. Archbishop Felix Ade Alaba Job
3. Bashorun P. Kayode Omolayole
4. Otunba Bisi Badejo
COMMUNITY CENTRE COMPLEX
As the annual rally grew in popularity the main venue of activity, Ita Nla, whichistheopen field of St. Mary’s Anglican Primary School, became too small to accommodatethesize of crowd. The search for an alternative site became compelling. Accordingly anothercentral area along the road to Owu Ijebu was acquired by IPB and developed fromvirginforest to its present status. The parcel of land covering an area of 2.25 hectares(5.5acres) was jointly donated by Idoko Olowa, Idoko Ajase and Odomagbo communities. Otunba Bisi Badejo was the towering figure that facilitated this acquisition. It must berecorded that Prof Akin Osiyale kindly allowed the main access road to Owutobeconstructed right through his parcel of land when that problemarose. The veryfirstGrand Rally was held in the new grounds of the complex arena in November 1987. Themaster plan for the complex had been put in place and the Development of the centreisbeing funded from proceeds from the annual rally activities.
The main multipurpose hall, envisaged to include a main auditorium, committeerooms, lounge, offices, restaurant and toilets is nearing completion. The entire structurehasth Anniversaryare
been constructed, roofed and plastered. Funds generated at this 60 envisaged to take us near the commissioning. The development of the entire communitycentre complex has been handled from the beginning up to now by a committee headedby Engr. (chief) S. A. Osobamiro, at no cost to the community. Other members of thecommittee are Basorun P. K. Omolayole, General T. B. Ogundeko rtd, Alhaji Badmus, Peter Adegbesan and M. A. Adedeji. The late Gbolade Okuneye headed the fundrasingcommittee for many years before the project take-off while Messr Bayo Otulana andJ. A. Akinsanya worked with him.
RALLY EVENTS
The main features of the annual rally which have evolved through the years andfurtherexpanded this year cover the following spreading over a week long of events:
1. Ayo and Draught competitions
2. Competitive Examinations
3. Football Matches primary and secondary schools and female soccer 4. Woro dance
5. Carnival
6. Suya/ikokore night
7. Raffle draw
8. Baby show
9. The grand rally with ICMA ceremony
10. Rally dance.