Ajowa Akoko
Ajowa-Akoko
Ajowa | |
|---|---|
Town | |
  Ajowa-Akoko Location in Nigeria | |
| Coordinates: 7°41′05″N 5°54′28″E / 7.684819°N 5.907643°E | |
| Country | Nigeria |
| State | Ondo State |
| Local Government Area | Akoko North West |
| Government | |
| • Chairman, Council of Obas | The Elefifa of Efifa Oba Benson Ayodele Adebiy |
| Population | |
• Total | 60,000+ |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (WAT) |
Ajowa-Akoko is a town located in Akoko North West Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria. It is known for it governance structure involving eight autonomous kings and is considered a boundary town between Ondo and Kogi States. The town has been in peaceful coexistence considering it setup, was officially established in 1955. Ajowa has a rich cultural heritage and significant educational institutions.
History
[edit]Ajowa-Akoko originated as an amalgamation of eight independent communities: Uro, Efifa, Ora, Ojo, Iludotun, Ibaram, Daja, and Esuku. The union was facilitated by P. A. R. A. Olusa, a regional representative at the Ibadan Conference in 1954, to unify smaller villages for enhanced development and representation before the then Western Region government.[1]
The town's name, "Ajowa," translates to "We Come Together" in Yoruba, reflecting the consensus-driven establishment. Despite their unity, each community retains its traditional ruler, cultural practices, and original land holdings.[2]
Governance
[edit]Ajowa-Akoko operates a confederal system, where the eight communities are ruled by their respective kings:
- The Oluro of Uro
- The Elefifa of Efifa
- The Olora of Ora
- The Olojo of Ojo
- The Oludotun of Iludotun
- The Olu of Daja
- The Olukotun of Oso
- The Elesuku of Esuku
The kings govern their individual domains autonomously while collaborating on issues affecting the entire town.
Educational Institutions
[edit]Ajowa-Akoko is home to numerous educational institutions, including the FESTMED College of Education, Ajowa-Akoko, which offers various programs in education.[3] Public and private primary and secondary schools serve the town's population.
Prominent Residents
[edit]Ajowa-Akoko has produced notable individuals, including:
- Military officers, such as two retired Major-Generals (as of 2014)
- Academics, including professors at Obafemi Awolowo University and the University of Ibadan
- Politicians, such as Hon. Adeyinka Banso, a former member of the Ondo State House of Assembly.[1]
- The Olusa Family, most prominent family and ruling house of Iludotun and Ora
Challenges
[edit]The town has faced security challenges, including incidents of kidnapping along major roads and within the community. For example, in 2022, a monarch from Oso-Ajowa was abducted and later released after a ransom was reportedly paid.[4] Efforts are ongoing to improve safety in the area.
Culture and Unity
[edit]Despite challenges, Ajowa-Akoko residents celebrate their diverse traditions while fostering a spirit of peace, love, and progress.[2] The young people are united by organizations such as National Union of Ajowa Students (NUAS), Ajowa Progressive Youth Network (APYN). The kings are in a council of Obas headed currently by The Elefifa of Efifa Oba Benson Ayodele Adebiyi, Preceded by Oba Kayode Olusa of Iludotun
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Ajowa-Akoko: Town with 8 Kings". Western Post. February 23, 2015.
- ^ a b "Ajowa: We Came Together". The Guardian Nigeria. March 3, 2016.
- ^ "FESTMED College of Education, Ajowa-Akoko". MySchool.ng.
- ^ "Kidnappers release Ondo monarch after collecting N10 million". Premium Times. December 8, 2022.