THE GREAT MIGRATION UNDER ASOGUN OGBOROGAN
It was during the reign of Osimore the Oba Ijebu-Ode (circa 1200AD) that Ajogun Ogborogan (later known and addressed as Obanta), the first Awujale, traveled from Ife to found his kingdom in the land of his maternal grandfather, Olu Iwa Oowu ile. It should be noted that Ajogun was a son of Odudua through Gbarowa, a daughter of Olu-Iwa.
Ajogun took with him his royal brother Obelu and other crowned princes and renewed warriors, hunters and adept herbalists. Some of those who traveled with Obanta were liken, Alapo Oru, Rewu (of Orunwa), Osu-Ofu, Olumagu and Alawa Obelu was the director of affairs during the migratory journey and was therefore nicknamed “ETUMORA” (meaning one who directs affairs).
THE ARRIVAL OF AJOGUN WITH OBELU AND THE BIRTH OF THE NAME “IMUSIN”
Before the arrival of Ajogun (Obanta) Oloko had settled at idoko in the area then known as IFE-OWODAIYE. However, when Ajogun (Obanta) and Obelu with their retinue arrived at the site of the present Imusin Market, a sad incident occurred, OJURI the son of Obanta died to mark the event, Obanta planted an “ISIN” tree at the site of the grave of Ojuri Obelu alo planted an “AKOKO tree at the graveside of Ojuri alongside that planted by Obanta in commemoration of that sad event. To further mark of event, Ajogun directed that all the neighboring towns and villages should be called by the name of that tree which he had planted on his sons grave, hence the name “Imusin” (i.e a place where ISIN (tree grows). Both the Isin and the Akoko trees can be seen growing a lot and interwoven at Oja Imusin till this day.
OBELU’S SOJOURN AT IJEBU-ODE
OBANTA and OBELU continued their journey until they reached Ijebu-Ode, where they settled. OBANTA became the first Awujale at Ijebu-Ode. Because OBANTA and OBELU were brothers, the then people of Ijebu-Ode did not, wish to accept Obelu as the second in rank to the Awujale as they had no intention of accepting two brothers to rule them. OBELU then surrendered the position of the second in rank to the Awujale to OLISA and moved to settle in IMUPOROGUN in Ijebu-Ode. His (Obelu) quarter is known as MOGEBELU (IMU-OGUN OBELU).
Seventeen Obelus reigned and died at Mogebelu. The shrines of these past Obelus still exist in Mogebelu till today.
The Ogun Obelu (God of Iron) is worshiped annually till this day at this shrine during the annual Obelu Festival which falls at the time of the new moon in November of every year. As the Odun Obelu falls at the beginning of the dry season, the Ijebus have an adage for those who fail to plant their maize during the rainy season thus: “Obelu se odun tan O tun nke fo aparo, bi igin re ko ba dara O ki I fi inu re mo?”
Obelu, a prince with a beaded crown, took precedence after Obanta on arriving Ijebu-Ode. He was not only clever and adapt in traditional administration, he was also a warrior as some of his heirs were. The learned author of History of Ijebu part I had this recorded on page 27.
“The Ijebu settled down and after some years sent another army under OBELU now with some help from Ekiti. The new allies fought against the Benin with a reasonable degree of success: but Obelu, the war chief, died of fever after many years of fighting. To commemorate his heroic deeds and victory, one of the months of the year was named after him.” i.e the month of November.
The event referred to above occurred circa 1450 during the raign of Awujale Tolumogboye the Obelu referred to above must have been a descendant of the first Obelu of Mogebelu.
The official intimacy between the Obanta and Obelu, especially as regards traditional rites was then such that the Ijebus used to say “Bi Obanta bag be itan, Obelu a gbe Ika” (when Obanta got the thigh, Obelu received the arm”).
