The Perceptive: Ijebu’s, Oba Mogusu , Awujale’s
The recent post of Awujale’s pictures posted on social media handled- Facebook coronation in 1960 have been generating a lot of genuine questions came up and controversy unexceptional.
In the photo, Oba Mogusu was placing the crown on Awujale. Someone asked who is Oba Mogusu, another asked, where is Ibido-Ogbo, his domain? Let’s answer the questions here and now.
Mogosu was the eldest son of Obanta (Ogboroganda) the third Awujale of Ijebuland. The other two children are Dagburewe and Awujale (Please note that the third son of Obanta was also named Awujale, so, there is Awujale the name, and Awujale, the title).
After the passing of Obanta, Mogosu, as the first born, was naturally the next in line to the throne but he was not a man of means, he was not affluent enough to shoulder the financial requirements involved in enthroning an Oba.
The next oldest child, Dagburewe, was sick and had been taken to Itoikin/Idowa to take care of his health. Awujale, the youngest, was therefore asked to ascend the throne.
Awujale was rich, but he asked for his older brother’s approval and Mogusu consented. Despite this, Awujale wanted a greater conviction from Mogosu; Mogusu was a very powerful man, he was feared by everyone. Awujale requested that Mogosu should first be crowned and then willfully hand over to him to convince him of genuineness of his intention.
In order for Mogosu to wear the traditional crown, obaship rites had to be performed on him and when the crown was placed on Mogosu’s head as Oba, the people greeted him and shouted “kaabiyesi” recognising him as Oba. Mogosu and the Awujale then danced together to the traditional royal drum of “Gbedu”. Mogusu then relinquished the throne for his younger brother, and crowned Awujale.
The above scenario thus created a situation where there were two Obas. The “Pampas” (i.e. the Kingmakers) then advised Oba Mogosu to relocate outside Ijebu-Ode, with another crown as an Oba, to complete his total relinquishing of the throne to his younger brother, Awujale, so his obaship should be over a new settlement (“ki o bi sehin, ki o do”; shift back like a stream). That place is today known and recognized as IBIDO.
He left Ijebu-Ode with all the paraphernalia of office as an Oba such as beaded crown as stated above, the traditional bronze mortal and pounder ( odo ide ati omori odo), horn trumpet (igbonre), the bronze hand symbol of authority (ipawo), leg cymbal (agogo ese), the horsetail (irukere), etc.
IBIDO-OGBO
Ibido is an old town. It was founded circa 1500 AD, They have had 25 Obas so far since the first settlement. Communal Inter-tribal wars caused the migration of some people to other places (with their identity) like Ibido (in Ijebu-Igbo), Ibido (near Omu), Ibido (near Senbora) but the actual Ibido remained in the old settlement. They later moved to the present settlement which was founded by Oba Adenumi.
Mogusu Oba Adenumi who reigned between 1750 – 1799AD, crowned Awujale Gbelegbuwa I in 1760AD and Awujale Fusengbuwa in 1790AD. Mogusu Oba Thomas Olaitan Oduntan, Erebileyinjoye II, crowned the present Awujale, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, Ogbagba II. As shown evidence showed recently .
It is important to note that The Mogusu MUST never see the Awujale he crowned face-to-face again, NEVER!
This is what I know as handed down in history.
Omooba Adekunle Adeite
Asalu-Oba of Isiwo Ijebu
Jagunmolu of Oke Ako
Atayese of Oyan
(Photo: HRM Oba Dr S.K. Adetona, The Awujale of Ijebu on his way back from Odo (1960). Kabiesi MUST be carried across the Ilese Stream by another Oba, the Elese of Ilese. Awujale’s feet must not touch the water and he must not set his eyes on the Elese again)
