Osun, Ogun, Oyo, Lagos and Kwara states share something in common, which is an assemblage of Owu sub-ethnic group towns and communities. What do the Owus have which is lacking in other Yorubas? TUNDE BUSARI digs further into these unique people.

In Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, Olugbode compound is prominent among ruling houses that has produced the Olubadan in person of Oyesile Olugbode who reigned between 1851 and 1864. Olugbode is said to have migrated from Owu just as other people, who are Ibadan indigenes today, also have their roots in other Yoruba towns and communities.

Significantly, a striking feature of the Owus in Yoruba nation is found in their occupation of about four states in Southwest and North central zone of the federation. There are about 37 towns in Osun, Oyo, Ogun, Lagos and Kwara States who share one origin in Orile-Owu (Osun State). In other words, all the Owu towns are children from one household but separated following a war that ravaged and eventually dismembered Orile Owu in 1420.

Some of the towns include: Orile Owu, Owu Kuta, Owu Isin, Owu Ijebu, Owu Ikosi, Telemu, Erunmu, Owu Epe,Obaloyan, Ilemowu, Gbawojo, Olowu Iji, Owu Ile, Owu Mushin, Owu Igboye, Owu Oke Ode, Owu Ajaawa, Owu Ifo,Owu Ogbaagbaa among others.

Very Important Personalities, who have over the years distinguished themselves in their respective callings, are indigenes of Owu Kingdome; among of whom are the former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Bola Ajibola, former Minister of Finance, Dr Onaolapo Soleye, former Governor of Ondo State, Brigadier-General Ekundayo Opaleye, the late Chief Akin Olugbade.

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To assert their distinctness among other Yoruba towns, the Owus organized themselves under an umbrella which was set up in 1986 by the initiative of the late Olugbade who was the Balogun of Owu Kingdom. Registered as the Royal Union of Owu People (RUOWP, the body has served a veritable rallying point for Owu sons and daughters with its annual meetings rotated among towns.
Aside the RUOWP, there is also the Supreme Council of Owu Obas under the current chairman, Oba Adekunle Oyelude, the Olowu of Owu Kuta.

A few weeks ago, the sleepy domain of Oba Oyelude was electrified by the arrival of some traditional rulers for the 13th edition of the council meeting held inside the newly upgraded palace of the Olowu.  After the very engaging deliberation characterized by robust debate among the monarchs, a communiqué was issued with the traditional rulers urging the federal government to restructure security apparatus of the country to effectively confront the crime challenges plaguing the nation.

Specifically, the incessant killings, kidnappings and other criminalities in the country gave the royal fathers a serious concerned of which they told President Muhammadu Buhari and his cabinet to speed up response just as they commended the president on boosting agriculture sector with a view to make Nigeria a food sufficient nation.

They also charged the politicians to play the game strictly according to the rules, declaring that politics should not be a do-or-die battle but patriotic service to the generality of the society regardless of party affiliations.

Owu

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