Ogbomosho (also Ogbomoṣo) is a city in Oyo State, south-western Nigeria, on the A1 highway. It was founded in the mid 17th century. The population was approximately 645,000 in 2006 census. The majority of the people are members of the Yoruba ethnic group.
Yams, cassava, maize, and tobacco are some of the notable agricultural products of the region.
An early missionary described the town:
"Ogbomosho in 1891 was a walled city, the
gates of which were closely watched by day
and securely closed by night. There was little
or no communication between it and Oyo and
Ilorin which were only thirty miles to the north and south. The town, picturesque and well
watered was isolated from the rest of the
Yoruba towns.
Political relations were
maintained with the Ibadans, for the country
depended on its security on the warriors of
Ogbomosho and Ikirun...
The strength of Ogbomosho lay in the wall and moat
surrounding the town, and the warriors made full use of it by sitting close and tight..
The tale behind the name Ogbomosho
Ogunlola was of Ibariba descent. He came to
the area now known as Ogbomoso in pursuit
of his hunting profession. He stayed under
ajagbon tree (still by the side of the palace)
and used the branches for hanging gears. The
whole place was at this time (around the middle of the seventeenth century), a dense jungle. Ogunlola was an expert archer and brave
hunter. Later he and his wife, Esuu, built their
hut by the side of the ajagbon tree.
Ogunlola (Later Soun)noticed smoke oozing
from some nearby locations. He took courage
and approached these places and discovered
other hunters. The first one named Aale at a
site now called Oke-Elerin quarters, the
second called Onsile at the site now known as Ijeru quarters, the third Orisatolu at Isapa
quarters and the fourth Akande quarters. The
descendants of the first three of these hunters
are still today the Bales of Oke-elerin, Ijeru
and Isapa quarters respectively. There is no
more Bale Akande. Ogunlola, after the discovery of these hunters,
took the initiative to invite them to form the
Alongo Society. The Primary objectives of the
society were: Defence against Sunmoni (slave
prowler) raids Group hunting of wild animals,
and Mutual assistance. At the take off of the society. Ogunlola was, made the chairman.
After each day’s hunting, they retired to
Ogunlola’s hut where they were treated to
beans and other meals and were served with
sekete wine brewed by Ogunlola’s wife from
fermented guinea corn. They also engaged in discussing current affairs and planning.Later, other settlers came and built their thus
and huts formed the nucleus of a small village.
Ogunlola‘s hut became the place for setting
disputes and other matters. He, Ogulola had
the final say. The groups of huts being on the
north-south highway from Oyo-ile became popular as aroje (a place to stop for
refreshment and other ‘knick-knack’ by
travellers.Esuu, the wife of Ogunlola introduced the
worship of Orisapopon to Ogbomoso. This
object of worship is the same as Orisala and
is worshipped in different towns under
different names. The worshippers are
distinguished by white beads worn round their necks and wearing only white dresses.
Drinking of palmwine is forbidden to them. The
mane orisapopo was probably derived from
the fact that Ogunlola’s hut was on the north-
south route therefore the Orisala being
worshipped in the hut was name “Orisapopo” (idol by the highway). The
importance and influence of ‘Orisapopo’
among the citizens of Ogbomoso is immense.
It can be described as the patron “Orisa” of
Ogbomoso.
HOW OGUNLOLA’S SETTLLEMENT
BECAME OGBOMOSO AND
OGUNLOLA BECAME SOUN
During the time the Ibaribas under the
leadership of Elemoso attacked Oyo-Ile near
Ilorin, Ogunlola was already in detention there,
awaiting trial for an alleged offence. Elemooso
caused a devastating havoc among Oyo’s so
much that they feared him in battle. Elemoso consequently laid total siege on Oyo causing
famine and untold hardship among the people.
Ogunlola therefore, told the Alaafin that if he
could be released, he would kill Elemoso. This
was granted and Ogunlola was shown where
he could find Elemoso. Ogunlola after studying Elemaso’s tactics took
proper aim and shot him down from his hiding
place Ogunlola quickly beheaded him and
brought the severed head to the Alaafin.
Elemeso’s army was therefore routed. Alaafin
was so impressed by Ogunlola’s prowess that he, the Alaafin, requested him to stay in the
capital Oyo-Ile instead of returning to his
settlement. Later, travellers passing to and fro, used to
refer to the settlement as of him who
beheaded Elemaso meaning “ido eni ti o
gb’Elemoso”. This was later contracted to
Ogbomoso. Eventually the authority of Ogunlola became
greater and more respected. He was
consequently made the head of the settlement
under the title of Sohun to reflect his request
from the Alaafin, ‘let me stay yonder’. His
compound by the Ajagbon tree then became the Soun’s palace and a rallying point for all
Ogbomoso citizens. Ogbomoso, because of her strategic location,
quickly grew from a village status to a medium
size town. Her people were also renown
warriors. During the Fulani wars of the 19th
century many towns and villages, about 147,
were deserted while their people took refuge in Ogbomoso. The influx of people further enhanced the size and strength of the town.
EducationOgbomosho has three degree-granting
institution of higher learning. Ladoke Akintola
University is named for the illustrious
Ogbomosho son and Premier of the old
Western Nigeria, Samuel Ladoke Akintola
(SLA). LAUTECH is ranked at the top of the later generation universities in Nigeria. It
awards degrees in science, engineering, technology and medicine.[7] The Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary,
one of the oldest institutions of higher learning
in Nigeria offers degree programs in theology,
sociology and philosophy. The Seminary
serves the Baptist Church in Nigeria, The
Nigerian Baptist Convention, which also has its headquarters in Ogbomosho.[8] Bowen University Teaching Hospital
Ogbomoso- BUTH A first-class Christian
Teaching Hospital marked by excellence and
godliness for the training of doctors and other
medical professionals. Originally established in
March 1907 as a missionary medical facility and through the years developing into the
Baptist Medical Centre and later transformed
to a Teaching Hospital in 2009
FORWARD
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