Imesi-ile

In Imesi-ile, Dr David Morley pioneered “Under-Fives Clinics.” This concept introduced high protein weaning food. Mothers kept their children's records (less loss than for hospital-based records). Grade II Midwives were taught to deal with 90 per cent of clinical needs and to refer the other 10 per cent. He devised the “Road to Health” growth chart. The first measles vaccine was trialled at the Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesa and Imesi-ile. It was here, in this ancient town, the community-based health care revolution which is now practiced all over the world began.[12]

Alfred Labinjo's parents were Kujosin and Ojiropa from the Itiwo compound.[15] He was born around the first half of the nineteenth century. He became a highly successful merchant in Lagos and was very instrumental to the successful prosecution of the Kiriji war. He was one of the major suppliers of military gunpowder, cannonballs, Schnider rifles and cartridges which were routed through Gureje to the Ekiti confederate soldiers.[15] He was one of the founders and leaders of the Rifle Corps. He trained the confederate army the effective use of trench war battle. On July 13, 1885, he was wounded in the Kiriji war and died few days later.[15]

Fakuyide Ajakaye was born to the Ale family of Koreti and Owolude in Odowo, around 1860.[15] He was an active participant in the Kiriji war and was very good with swords. After the war, he became a successful trader. He loved to be gorgeously dressed. He had several wives and created one of the largest families in Imesi-Ile. It was in his compound that he first received Christian missionaries who came to Imesi-ile to spread the gospel; and allowed two of his children to receive formal education. He became the Obaala in 1922. He was a well-respected personality through his selfless service to the community. He died on August 10, 1942.[15]

Oginni Familusi was born around the middle of nineteenth century.[15] His parents were Lokunsoro and Orisatikun of the Akegun family of Ijana. He had the Chieftaincy title of Akegun during the Kiriji war. An honest and virtuous man; and a political adviser to the King. During the Ita-Idominasi and Imesi-Ile road constructions, he played big community leadership role. He donated food to laborers who worked during Osun Iponda bridge construction. He died on August 14, 1936.[15]

The vantage position of imesi-ile placed it at a constant theater of many of Yoruba wars. Imesi-Ile produced many warriors of the wars.[15] According to Olabisi Adekanla, “Prominent among them were Gbasi, Ogunmokunwa and Olowuro, all of Odo Ese, Adekanla of Ijana and Asao of Odobi. Labinjo of Itiwo was a major supplier of imported breach loading guns and leader and trainer of the rifle corps; Balogun Osejin, Oni, his brother, Beegun, Eso Esudina, Ayilumo, Subiaro, Oniro, and Fagbolu, alias Looponda, all from Ile Lejua Ekunfe of Oke-Iro. Other were Awowale and Ogunwole from Ile Aworo-Okun, Apata and Opiliki from Ile olomu; Kayaoja, Ogedengbe’s trumpeter, Lasilola, Jiga, Alonge, Ojo, Ajayi and Adegbite, all from Okuagbonrin otherwise known as Ile Sango. Also, from Ile Obe were Famoye, Alagbe, Akerele, Sasolarin, Sitekun and Famugbode. Others included Lamijulo, (Gbain Obi soogun), from Ile Aba, Funamogbo Iyaya and Odun from Ile Gbolasa. There were also Fabode and Ogunkunle from Fabode’s house, Fatodu and Bada from Ile Sagunrin, Obaala Ogbudu from Ile Obaala Ogan, Anigbedu Farotimi Aborode, Ako, Agbati and Igbagba from Ile Odunmorun. Also from Ile Osun and Odofin were Laogun Ipaye, Ogunpolu, Oba Ijagba, Odofin Jobioloye, Otejimi and Oye. Asika P’olu Egbe, Ogunkola, Tifase, Ajakaye, Otun, Laarade Orisan, Ariwodola and Labinjo were all from Itiwo. Dawodu Ajakaye, Ogun Idagiri (Ogedengbe’s Ipaye) were from Ile Asaba: Idagun, Ode and Tenigbokun from Ile Olowu. Others were Faseyitan of Ile Fakola and Olukanmi of Ile Ajana both of Orudi, Fakiyesi, Faniyan, Ogan Ibule, Owoyomi (Atagbon k’eru o bolode) all of Ile Ejemua, Fajimi (A ruku saya diidi) and Yesoka (Aruku’s ibembe drummer) both of Ile Osolo. There also were Orogbangba, Kumolu-Ayena, the dexterous sword man of Ile Olojudo. Other were Eti Ologbo-Olumo-Oluo of Ile Alagbo; Sabiyi Abolude (Imogun), Lalemi (Ile titun), Fasumi Aaga bodi, Erinmo Ile Oro all of Ile Sabi. The rest were from Odoba.[15] They were Omitogun of Ile Sabi, Aworo Osun of Ile Osun, Itasanmi and Ajasa of Ile Erintiku, Obaoro baba Okin of Ile Odio, Saode and Oreegun of Ile iroko.”[15]

William Adesola Ojo was born around 1885, to the family of Obaala Ajakaye and Madam Ayegbiyan, he was one of the first set to receive Primary education in Imesi-Ile.[15] He later graduated from Tinubu Weslayan Elementary school and was employed to the position of signaler at the Nigerian Railway in 1913. He resigned fifteen years later to return to Imesi-Ile to serve his people. He was the first to introduce science into farming which he named Wasimi Garden.[15] He was appointed Imesi-ile native judge and later, as Councilor for Ijesa Native Authority Council. He actively supervised Ita-Idominasi and Imesi-Ile road construction in the early 1930s also Imesi-Ile and Okemesi road in the late 1940s. he died on March 18, 1958.[15]

Abraham Makanjuola was born to Prince Falore of the Ilerio Royal family of Ijana, in the late nineteenth century.[15] He worked briefly at Nigeria Railways but later went into banking where he grew to become the Director at the Barclays bank. He was one of the founders of Imesi-Ile Progressive Union.[15] He built blocks of classrooms at Methodist High School (which was later named Imesi-Ile High School) to meet government requirements. He financed the construction of Ilare and Imesi-Ile road project. He played major role in the restoration of the beaded crown to Imesi-Ile. He was the Otun Owa until 1979 when he died.[15]

Luke Tewogbola Olamijulo was born in the late nineteenth century into the family of Owarungbe of Ile Aba compound.[15] He was one of the first set to receive primary education at Imesi-Ile Primary School in 1900. He proceeded later to Wesley College, Ibadan.[15] He was a teacher for many years before venturing into business. He was an important contributor to social, political landscape in Imesi-Ile community.[15] One of the founders of Imesi-Ile Progressive Union, he later joined to set up Ijesa Northern District Council and became its first Chairman. He won a seat into the Nigeria legislative Upper Chamber as the first Senator from Ijesaland.[15]

His father was Akegun Oginni Familusi.[15] Although the did not receive formal education, he acquired Yoruba literacy. A highly intelligent man who chronicled and archived all historical events including families and churches with astounding accuracy.[15] He self-trained and mastered sewing becoming the leader of Imesi-Ile Tailors’ Association. Pa Familusi quickly recognized importance of education and would ensure parents enrolled their children in school. He had no problem turning children of school age back from farm forcing them to attend school. Many of those children later became important personalities in life. A man of courage and determination.[15]

Joshua Olaoye Fakolade was born around the early twentieth century.[15] His parents were Fakolade and Bosede of the Modeowu family of Ijana.[15] He was a certified preacher and steward of the Methodist Church of Nigeria. He was a member of Imesi-Ile Progressive Union disciplinary Committee for many years.[15] Formany years, he Chaired Imesi-Ile Health Committee and Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital. He died in 1994.[15]

Joseph Adeola Olaniyan was born in 1925 into the family of Pa and Dorcas Olaniyan of Ile Aba and Ile Ejemuwa compounds.[15] He had his primary education at Methodist School, Imesi-Ile. He attended Government College, Ibadan in 1941 after which he proceeded to England to obtain Bachelor of Science in Engineering.[15] He came back to Nigeria to set up his engineering company. An Imesi-Ile patriot and philanthropist who served his people with passion and vigor. He died on November 11, 1982.[15]

Hon. Oluwole Siyanbola was born in May 1933 into the Otuoko family of Okerena.[15] His parents were, James Ojo Siyanbola (Arogba) and Madam Susannah Ajayi Siyanbola.[15] He received his primary education at Methodist School between 1939 and 1947.[15] He obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Geography from University College, Ibadan. He was a teacher at Okitipupa Methodist High School and later returned to Imesi-Ile High school to succeed Chief J.I. Bifarin as the school Principal.[15] He later joined politics and was elected to Oyo State legislature until 1983 when the military overtook the government. He was a philosopher, disciplinarian, orator, loved by his people. He died on November 29, 1992.[15]

David Ojo Abiodun Oguntoye was born in 1914, to the family of Pa Alo Oguntoye of Ile Olomu and Madam Badejoko Kilanpon Oguntoye of Ilerio ruling house.[15] He graduated Grade II teacher and taught in many schools outside Imesi-Ile until he became Headmaster. During the World war II, he joined the British Royal Air Force. After the war, he studied law and was called to English Bar in 1948.[15] He returned to Nigeria to set up his private legal practice. He was a councilor representing Imesi-Ile at Kiriji Local Government Council between 1954 and 1956. He became the Grade A Customary Court Judge for the Western region in 1958. He was highly respected by his people. In 1968, he was installed Loogun Legiri of Imesi-Ile. He died June 18, 1997.[15]

Isola Fabunmi was born in 1849.[15] He was of the royal family to the throne at Okemesi (formerly Imesi Igbodo). He received training in tailoring from his father, Prince Adesoye.[15] For much of 1860s, he lived in Ibadan with Akintola, the second son of Balogun Ibikunle of Ibadan. He was a war boy who took part in Iperu and Mamu war campaigns. He later returned to Okemesi and was involved in several local raids.[15]