Brief History of Eposo-Remo, Ogun State

Eposo is one of the Thirty three (33) towns that made up Remoland. She had her ownObaship Institution like other Obas in Yoruba land.

OBA "BAGE" who was the First Eleposo of Eposo came from Ile-Ife the cradle of all the Yorubas. He was one of the sons of Luwo “The only female crowned King in Ile-Ife”. The eldest son of Luwo and a brother to BAGE was TELU the King of Iwo Kingdom in Osun State. When he was coming from Ile-Ife, he came with his own traditional beaded crown and some of his Chiefs/followers/deity are: Osugbo, Oluwo, Lisa, Oro, Eluku, Agemo, Onire, Egungun, Balufon and other deities present in other parts of Yoruba land and settled down at ORILE - EPOSO in April 12, 1805.

OBA BAGE, gave birth to Three (3) Sons and Two (2) Daughters. They were 1. Prince Ademefun 2. Prince Adenuwa 3. Prince Adebesin, while the Two (2) Daughters were: Princess Adesewa and Princess Adebunmi.

Consequently, in order to establish a meaningful town and forestall anything that could lead to Obaship tussle in future, OBA BAGE, been a veryY visionary and focused Traditional Ruler called an Ifa Priest with the presence of Osugbo society, the Oluwo and other traditional Chiefs in Eposo to adopt three Ruling Houses for his Three Sons lineages according to their ages.

To this end, the Ifa Priest in conjunction with the then Oluwo of Eposo –Chief Odugbemi agreed that after the demise of OBA BAGE, the Three Ruling Houses will be; 1. Lodo Meri 2. Luwo Abejoye and 3. Lorun Agbay.

OBA BAGE father of the Three Princes, who ascended the throne as the 1" Eleposo of Eposo in April 12, 1805 joined his Ancestors in December 7, 1835.

As agreed Prince ADEMEFUN - BAGE, the First Son of OBA BAGE was crowned on February 23, 1836 and passed on in November 26, 1863.

As both Prince Adenuwa and Prince Adebesin were aged and had gone to great beyond, they were not priviledged to be kings after the demise of OBA ADEMEFUN.

However, the Son of Prince Adenuwa, OBA ADEJOBI JOLUGBO ascended the throne as the Eleposo of Eposo from Luwo Abejoye Ruling House on January 18, 1864 and joined his ancestors on July 30, 1886.

Prince Sotuye, Son of Prince Adebesin became the Eleposo of Eposo after the demise of OBA ADEOBI JOLUGBO on October 12, 1886 and joined nis ancestors in May 19, 1892. He hails from Lorun Agbayi Ruling House.

It should be noted that it was during the reigns of OBA SOTUYE that Eposo was dislodged from her homestead ORILE EPOSO in 1892 through Inter tribal wars that devastated the town having spent six (6) years on the throne.

But, God in his divine wisdom assisted Eposo town to regain her freedom and crown, as OBA AYOOLA ADEMASA SONOIKI, Lodo Meri II was installed as the Elepos0 of Eposo on March 22, 1995.

In order of succession, the Eleposo of Eposo that have reigned so far including the present Eleposo of Eposo are:

1.     OBA BAGE, founder of Eposo town                  April 12, 1805-December 7, 1835

2.     OBA ADEMEFUN (Lodo Meri 1")                                   February 23, 1933 - November 26, 1863

3.     OBA ADEOBI - Jolugbo (Luwo Abejoye 1st)   January 18, 1864-July 30, 1886

4.     OBA SOTUYE - (Lorun Agbaye 1st)                    October 12, 1886- May 19, 1892

INTERREGNUM- 1892-1994 (102 years)

5.     OBA AYOOLA ADEMASA SONOIKI (Lodo Meri  II) March 22, 1995- August 10, 2016

6.     OBA MUKAILA AKANJI OLABINJO (Luwo Abejoye II) December 21, 2017 - till date

 

Various achievements recorded during the reigns of Oba Ademasa Sonoiki were the construction of Eposo Ultra modern Palace, Construction of Major link-roads to Eposo Inauguration of Eposo Day-an Annual Festival aimed at bringing Sons and Daughters of Eposo together for acceleration of General Development of Eposo town, exposing the existence of Eposo town to the world as one of the 33 Traditional Remo towns. It was also the reigns of OBA SONOIKI that Eposo was upgraded as part II Oba in Ogun State with prescribed authorities on seven communities among others.

The prescribed authorities of Eleposo of Eposo Remo are:

1. Orile Eposo          2. Ugbo Igbepa                   3. Abule Agerige

4. Abule Ogbe         5. Abule Itakete      6. Abule Olokuta

7. Abule Awoyaya Oloparun

After the demise of Oba Ademasa Sonoiki, Oba Mukaila Akanji olabinjo (Luwo Abejoye 11) was installed as the next Eleposo of Eposo in December 21, 2017, while the presentation of Staff of Office by the Ogun State Government took place on March 8, 2018 at Orile Eposo.

Notable achievements recorded since the ascension to the throne of the present Eleposo of Eposo- HRH Oba Mukaila Akanji Olabinjo are: The Completion of Eposo Palace Project Electrification of Eposo Town, Inauguration of Iledi Eposo where all Traditional Archives of Eposo are kept, and Znauguration of 1gbale Egun and 1gbosi, facilitation of the construction of private houses in Eposo inauguration Eposo Development Council (EDC) among others.

Eposo town is bounded by Iraye by the North, Ogunmogbo by the East, Owowu by the South and Are by the West.

Essentially, it should be noted that Eposo is one of the Thirty three (33) towns that made up Remo Traditional towns and this could be confirmed by the book published by the great Educationist- Late Rev. D.O. Epega in 1919 tagged ‘IWE ITAN AWON IJEBU ATI REMO'.

Equally, Eposo being part of the 33 Traditional towns could also be authenticated on pages 20-25 as well as pages 71-75 on the book titled "REMO THIRTY THREE TRADITIONAL TOWNS" published in 2008 by Chief Olu Ayodele, a notable Publisher from Sagamu.

We also have maps that authenticate Eposo as one of the (33) Remo Traditional towns as contained on page 23 of the book "REMO THIRTY THREE TRADITIONAL TOWNS" written by Chief Olu Ayodele.

There are sufficient lands in Eposo, while the town is endowed with potentials in terms of abundant natural resources which could be fully exploited.

Eposo is no doubt blessed with vast hectares of land for the Industrialists, Educationists and any progressive sector who intend to invest in the Socio-Economic and Educational potentials of the ancient town.

Recently, the Ogun State Government through the Ministry of Education has approved public primary school for Eposo community and we are looking forward towards more developmental strides not only from the government but also from private individuals.

 

Chiefs in Eposo Kingdom

1.     Oluwo

2.     Lisa

3.     Apena

4.     Iwarefa (Headed by Lisa)

5.     Ijo (Headed by Olotu and second in position is Igbakeji)

6.     Igan (Headed by Olotu)

7.     Olopere (The Warriors) Headed by Chief Balogun

8.     Pampere (Market Police

 

Erelu

1.     Olotu Erelu (Head of all Female Chief, chosen from Royal Family )

2.     Osugbo (Law Enforcement Chiefs )