HISTORY OF AGO-ARE
AGO-ARE situated in Atisbo Local Government, Oke-Ogun, Northern part of Oyo State in Western Nigeria. The name of the town, Ago-Are was coined from the Aare chieftaincy title. Linguistically, and according to customary usages, “AGO” means a settlement or a town while “AARE”, is the shortened form of “Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba Nation” means the Supreme War Chief/Commander that is, the Generalissimo of Yoruba Land. Ago-Are therefore means the town of the supreme war commander.
The present day Ago-Are was founded by Aare Olaniya (1868) who was the first monarch of Ago-Are. The Aare forebears bore the monarchical title of “Ekeje” and not “Aare” until when the last bearer of the title, Ekeje Akinoso Oluwonde Alao Sao a warrior of note and gallant combatant, who rescued the Old Oyo Empire when it was literarily brought to its knee by the Prime Minister of the empire at that time, Bashorun Olapeto nicknamed Bashorun Gaa, who infamously usurped the power and authority of Alaafin Abiodun Adegoolu. In the fierce and heroic military campaign, Ekeje Oluwonde Alao Sao (son of Ajibesin Adensile, an Ikole-Ekiti Prince who had earlier migrated to Onko province of the old Oyo Empire) worsted the Bashorun Gaa and the host of his rebel forces across the empire. With that feat of military accomplishment, Alaafin Abiodun Adegoolu rewarded the heroic exploits, popularity, courage and carriage of Ekeje Akinoso Oluwonde Alao Sao and installed him as the Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba Nation. That way, the monarchical title of Ekeje gave way for the more popular, distinguished and superior Aare the shortened form of Aare Onakakanfo, hence, the name of the town, Ago-Aare (Settlement of the Aare Onakakanfo).
ADMINISTRATION
Aside from the partisan democratic political system of government in vogue nationwide, Ago-Are community also operates the typical Yoruba traditional system of governance. This traditional system consists of:
i. The Aare-in-Council: that is made up of the Aare (as the Paramount ruler of Ago-Are Land) with the traditional cabinet which consists of the Quarter Baales (Chiefs), the Kingmakers and other chiefs.
ii. The Quarter Baales: bear rule over their respective quarters/domains and are accountable to the Aare for all the activities/occurrences in the respective regard.
iii. The Kingmakers: in addition to their major assignments in the process of selection and installation of new Aare, have responsibility for good governance, enforcement of law and order and peaceful resolution of minor conflicts in their respective compounds (Agbo-Ile).
iv. The Traditional Chiefs: who are mainly traditional and hereditary by nature, have specific duties and responsibilities which they perform on behalf of the monarch. Such respective duties, however, relate to their heredity by way of trade, craftsmanship, prowess and assigned administration portfolios.
Also, there is Ifelodun Ago-Are Parapo, a general assembly of all sons and daughters of Ago-Are in home and in diaspora under the administration of a National Chairman and members of the Executive Council. It is an umbrella body for the actualization of common goal for the community. The body is saddled with responsibilities such as conflict resolution, peace-building and peacemaking. They are the network and conduit of development in the community. Appreciable numbers of developmental projects has been achieved for the community through this body. They meet every Mondays to deliberate on issues that border on peace and development as regards the Ago-Are community. Its member is drawn from all societies (social, economic and religious) domiciled in the community. There is a week-long Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Ifelodun Parapo which comes up every first week of August whereby all sons and daughters of the community would gather in the Ago-Are City Hall to discuss issues relating to the development of the community and to renew the togetherness, brotherhood and oneness of the town.
The Chronological Order of Ascendancy of the Ago-Are Obas in History
i. Oba Ajibesin Adensile
ii. Oba Ondubi
iii. Oba Osikan-Odu
iv. Oba Akinoso Oluwonde Alao Sao 1728–1779
v. Oba Tooko Ola 1779–1830
vi. Oba Oluwusi Olabisi 1830
vii. Oba Adefunmbi Oladimeji 1831–1865
viii. Oba Makanjuola Elegbeina 1865–1867
ix. Oba Alayeyi 1867–1868
x. Oba Olaniya 1868–1905
xi. Oba Arogundade Olanipekun Olakanla 1905–1935
xii. Oba Adesope Oyeniran 1936–1977
xiii. Oba Oladoke Oyesiji 1977–2015
xiv. Oba Dr. Abodunrin Oyetunji Kofoworola Olakanla II 2016-
VALUES AND NORMS
The core values of an average Ago-Are indigene are based on Integrity, Loyalty and Hospitality. The natives’ exhibit good respect and care for the strangers. They also cherish the reputation of their progenitors. This accounts for the choice of Ago-Are as site for the residence and operating headquarters of the officials of British American Tobacco Company as far back as 1940 among other reputable organizations. Accountability is the watchword in every assignment. Rancour, violence and hostility are anathema in our culture. Peaceful resolution of issues among the citizenry is very much valued and this constitutes the bulk of activities at the weekly meeting of the Aare-in-council.
The basic norms within the community revolve around respect: respect for the constituted authorities, leadership, the elders, one another as well as self. Arrogance is abhorred to a great extent.
CULTURE/RELIGION/PLACES OF WORSHIP
Being an integral part of the Oyo extraction of the Yoruba race, the cultural practices in Ago-Are are quite typical of the customs and traditions of Oyo people. For instance, the worship system is in line with three vocal religious practices of the modern day Yoruba setting. That is:
i. Traditional religious worship of the various deities of Egungun, Ifa, Sango, Obatala, Ogun, Oro and celebration of traditional Iluku festival.
ii. Islamic faith in its various denominations; Ansarudeen, Anwarul-Islam, Ahmaddiya, NASFAT etc.,
iii. Christianity in its major settings of the Baptist, Catholic, C&S, C.A.C, Deeper Life, R.C.C.G and host of other charismatic denominations.
Prominent of the religious sect and denomination are the Baptists as represented by the mother of all churches in Ago-Are, First Baptist Church founded in the year 1919 and the Ago-Are Central Mosque established in____. First Baptist Church Ago-Are currently pastored by Rev’d Dr. Stephen Olusola Awoleye aside from the evangelism of the gospel of Jesus Christ, subsequent conversion of souls into Christianity, and planting and nurturing of churches, played significant roles in the evolution of modernity and civilization in Ago-Are community. The Ago-Are Central Mosque with Alh. Sheik Ahmad Rufai Aileru II as the Chief Imam equally helped in the spread of Islam and establishment of numerous Islamic religious centres in Ago-Are community.
EDUCATION
There is a nexus between Christianity and evolution of western education in Ago-Are community. The First Baptist Church Ago-Are was undoubtedly the harbinger of western education in the community. As the founder and proprietor of the foremost primary school, First Baptist Day School Ago-Are instituted in 15th February, 1937 now First Baptist Primary School, Ago-Are and the defunct Baptist Modern Secondary School established in 1963 currently Baptist Secondary Grammar School, Ago-Are (BASEGA), the church closed the gate of ignorance and opened community peoples’ heart to awareness and knowledge of western learning. The church laid a formidable foundation for education to be well-grounded in the community and by that, it is unlikely to find a house unit without at least a graduate in Ago-Are community.
Ago-Are houses numerous pre-primary, primary, secondary and Diploma certificate awarding institutions such as;
i. Baptist Secondary Grammar School (BASEGA), Ago-Are
ii. Ansar-u-Deen High School, (AUD), Ago-Are
iii. Christ Comprehensive High School, Ago-Are
iv. Sharon Rose Schools and College, Ago-Are
v. Blessing Schools and College, Ago-Are
vi. Ideal International School, Ago-Are
vii. Life-Fountain Schools and College, Ago-Are
viii. Wisdom Nursery and Primary School, Ago-Are
ix. Muslim Foundation School, Ago-Are
x. First Baptist Primary School, Ago-Are
xi. NUD Primary School, Ago-Are
xii. Local Authority Primary School, Ago-Are
xiii. Second Baptist Primary School, Ago-Are
xiv. Emmanuel Alayande College of Education (Distance Learning Centre), Ago-Are
xv. Institute for Commerce Research and Enterprises Development, Ago-Are
ECONOMY
The topography, climate and vegetation of Ago-Are are quite typical of the Savanna region worldwide. To this extend, the pre-dominant occupation in the town is agriculture particularly of perennial crop (Cashew, Shear butter, Tobacco), cash crops (yam, cassava, maize, guinea corn, etc.) as well as animal husbandry and poultry farming. Agro-processing, Agro-allied trading activities as well as transportation, craftsmanship and artisanship are common ventures with the youths, male and female.
INVESTMENT AND POTENTIALS
Ago-Are land is well endowed with natural and human resources that can be harnessed for economic and business gains. The town is surrounded by a vast terrain of savanna vegetation with favorable climate for all sorts of perennial cropping and livestock breeding.
The nodal location of the community in entire Oke-Ogun region of Oyo State makes for easy accessibility to all other towns in the region.
The ever increasing vast population of the community strengthens its potentials as market centre for all consumers as well as capital goods. The four (4) major markets serve as reliable sources of supply of arable agricultural produce and livestock as food stuff for the rest of Oyo State and Ogun States. Residents of Ago-Are are quite comfortable with the community’s peaceful co-existence with other tribes/creeds.
TRADITIONAL SYMBOLS
Ago-Are as the settlement of warlords earned these traditional symbols as marks of distinction:
i. Onduro- the traditional ancient Field Marshal’s baton given to the Paramount Yoruba Supreme War Chief (Aare Onakakanfo)
ii. Ade Olori Ogun- an embroidered crown called ‘Ade Amijigi’ (Swingling Crown)
iii. Awo-Ekun- apparel made of Tiger skin.
The Field Marshal’s baton and an embroidered Tiger skin were first presented to Aare Oluwonde Alao Sao as the Third Aare Onakakanfo in the history of Yoruba land. The apparel of Tiger skin (Awo Ekun) was the award for gallantry and heroic display given Aare Adefunmbi Oladimeji after he had routed Ijaye warriors and conquered Kurunmi during Ijaiye War.
TRANSPORT/INFRASTUCTURES
As a nodal town, Ago-Are has an accessible and good road network, linking it with the neighbouring communities. Roads within the community are wholly asphaltic tarred and well connected for ease of movement.
Ago-Are is connected to the national grid for electricity supply. The first community within the region to have access to electricity supply courtesy of the defunct Nigerian Tobacco Company (British-American Tobacco Company)
There is presence of all the major mobile networks; MTN, Glo, Airtel, Etisalat etc. in Ago-Are
NOTABLE PEOPLE
i. Aare Oluwonde Alao Sao (the third Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba nation who was erroneously addressed as Oyabi in Jonhson’s account of History of Yoruba. He is the first ruler of the town to be addressed as an Aare.
ii. His Royal Majesty, Aare Alawo-Ekun, Oba Abodunrin Oyetunji Kofoworola Olakanla Ph. D, fcai, The Aare and Paramount Ruler of Ago-Are & Chairman, Atisbo Local Government Traditional Council of Obas and Chiefs; Director (rtd) of Human Resource, National Education Research Development Council, NERDC, Sheda, Abuja.
iii. Dr. Zacheous Olusegun Ajuwon, Ex-Personal Physician to the Former President Olusegun Obasanjo; Chief Medical Director (rtd), National Hospital, Abuja; The Chairman, Oke-Ogun Development Consultative Forum (ODCF).
iv. Mr. Timothy Ade Ojeleye, Former Managing Director, Steyr Nigeria Ltd, Lagos; Chief Executive Officer, Pericom.
v. Mr. Caleb A. Olaayan, Former Managing Director, Union Bank.
vi. Mrs. Titilayo Salami Adebisi, Founder, Onik Clinical Nursing Workshop; Advanced Nurse Educator, USA. The Administrator, Ago-Are Indigenes Forum (AAI)
vii. Dr. Deborah Nike Abiola, Doctor of Nursing Practice, United State
viii. Hon. Ayobami Ojo, Former House of Assembly Member (Atisbo/Saki East State Constituency), The Proprietor/CEO Joybam Hotels and Event Centre, New Garage, Challenge, Ibadan.
ix. Hon. Jacob Funmi Ogunmola, The Proprietor/CEO, Glass House Hotels and Event Centre, Abule-Egba, Lagos.
x. Alh. Akeem A. Adesina Managing Director, Bank of Industry, Marina, Lagos.
xi. Engnr. Gbenga Adegbiji GMD, MainOne, Victoria Island, Lagos.
xii. Mr. Kehinde Olatunde, Chief Executive Officer, Nikentolad, Ikeja, Lagos.
xiii. Dr. Seidu Bello, National Hospital, Abuja.
xiv. Prof. Adesoji E. Awoyemi, Department of Guidance and Counselling, Faculty of Education, University of Ibadan.
xv. Prof. Kola Adekunle, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
xvi. Prof. Olalekan E. Ojedokun, Institute of Education, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
xvii. (xiii) Prof. John Olukunle, Faculty of Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure.
xviii. Prof. Ademola Ajuwon, Formers Provost, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan.
xix. Hon. Kehinde Adesiyan, Former Honourable Member Representing Saki East/Saki West/Atisbo Federal Constituency, House of Representative, Abuja.
xx. Hon. Makanjuola Ayoola, Former Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Oyo State.
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS
i. The headquarters, ATISBO South Local Council Development Area
ii. Chief Magistrate Court, Ago-Are
iii. Oyo State Ministry of Health (General Hospital, Ago-Are)
iv. Oyo State Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources and Rural Development (Cattle Control Post and Kraal Market)
v. The Nigeria Police Force, Mobile Police Squadron 72, Ago-Are
vi. The Nigeria Police Post, Ago-Are
vii. The headquarters of Operation Burst (ATISBO and Itesiwaju Local Government), Ago-Are
viii. The headquarters and operational office of the South West Security Network (Amotekun) Atisbo Local Government
ix. Emmanuel Alayande College of Education (Distance Learning Centre), Ago-Are
TWIN TOWN: Ofiki (formerly known as Ago-Ofiki, deserted after the invasion of Dahomeyan warriors. Later, Baale Ageere Adeoye Ojelade, Baale Ito Tella Ajayi and their households returned to the place before Aare Olaniya founded Ago-Are)
References
Fatoki O. M, (2016) Indigenous Institutions for Conflict Resolution in Ago-Are, Oyo State (Thesis)
Kofoworola A. O, (2017) Text of Press Conference Delivered by HRM Oba Dr. Abodunrin Oyetunji Kofoworola Olakanla II, the Aare and Paramount Ruler of Ago-Are Land on Thursday 23rd November, 2017, at the Ago-Are City Hall.
Oyekola O. T (1996) Aganna-Iji, the Saga of a Yoruba Town, Bombshell Publications, Ibadan.
Ago-Aare Lati Ipilese De Ode Oni, Bombshell Publications, Ibadan