BRIEF HISTORY OF IMALA

Imala is in the Northern part of Abeokuta. Ilaro is in the East with Imeko in the North, all in Ogun State. While we have Igbo-ora in the West.  Imala town is a small beautiful exotic cultural place with natural farmlands and ultra traditional touristic place to visit.

In the ancient days the major occupation of the Egbado people is mostly farming (arable crops and cash crops like cocoa, coffee kola nuts oranges and pineapples.) other farm products include Cassava, yam, okro, rice, banana, plantains and vegetables such as the water leaf, spinach to mention but a few.

They have some social activities in which they use to gather themselves together to cheer their happiness and joy. One of these is Ondofoi anniversary. The history of the area states that Ondofoi was one of the founding fathers of the area. The strong man did not die as other people die but sank into the ground. The area is now known and call Idofoi.

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THE HISTORY OF IMALA

Imala is an Egbado group with a population of about 20,000 (including children) occupying an area of roughly 190sq miles, but including a number (which cannot be given without a special census) of Egbas. They have intermarried with Egbas.

The Imalas’ appear to have originated from Oyo and the first Omola – Oki got his crown from Alafin.

The seventh Omola was on the throne in 1830; so the migration may have taken place early in the sevententh century.

Some of the people described themselves as having come from Ketu, but the explanation seems to be that OKI first migrated to Ketu and them came on with his followers to Imala.

 

FROM WHERE WERE THE IMALAS

The Imalas’ hail from Oyo. Six people came from Oyo. They were from the ruling Oba house hold and they were all related to Alafin OKOMI . Some were his sons, while some were his brothers. These people were Alajogun, Onisare, Elemodo, Alaketu, Babayaki and Oba Oki respectfully.

They first reside at IKA near the present Ijoun, where they later dispererd.

 

WHO WAS FIRST TO SETTLE AT IMALA

Oba Oki was the first Omola, but was not the first to reach Imala. Imala has long been inhabited before the coming of Oba Oki.

For many years after the first settlers, there were no thought of installing any Oba.

OJUMO was the first person from Oyo (Old Oyo) to come to Imala. People like Agangan the husband of Erelu came after Ojumo. Reliable history has it that people also came from Oyo -‘ro Agbojo and he came and he was in-charge to Idofoi.

These people were trying to locate Ojumo, Agangan ero, because they have heard of them.

WHO WERE THE IMALAS

Without prejudice to the fact, there were other towns like Tibo, Kesan Ilogun, Ijale (Papa and Igbo) Ogatedo (sacked by tribal War) in 1874. Idofoi, Owo, Ipaya etc. these were Imala as was then known. But the original Imalas’ were Owo, Idofoi and Ipaya.

 

 

Ogun State Governor – Ibikunle Amosun

TRANSITION

Imala became a subordinate native authority and made a subordinate Native Authority in 1947.

IMALA BECAME A DISTRIC COUNCIL (ALL Purposes)

In 1955 – Local Government Reforms were carried out, Imala became a District Council Western Region Legal Notice 171 of 1955.

 

PAST OBAS FROM EACH IMALA RULING HOUSE

Oba Okin/Akindele Ruling House
Oba Okin 1803 – 1806
Oba Akindele 1905 – 1915
Oba Adeleye 1958 – 1973

Oba Ogandele/Akinlade Ruling House
Oba Ogandele 1806 – 1811
Oba Otobo 1819 – 1823
Oba Aganna 1823 – 1829
Oba Akinlade 1915 – 1938
Oba Adetoun 1975 – 2002

Oba Mokorajo/Odunfa Ruling House
Oba Mokorajo 1811 – 1815
Oba Odunfa 1829 – 1875
Oba Mafojuewo 1938 – 1950

Oba Adejumo/Olalemi Ruling House
Oba Adejumo 1815 – 1819
Oba Olalemi 1875 – 1905
Oba Lawani 1950 – 1957