Ipele
| Ipele | |
|---|---|
 |
|
 Ipele
|
|
| Coordinates: 7°08′0″N 5°40′0″E / 7.133333°N 5.666667°E | |
| Country |  Nigeria |
| State | Ondo State |
| Local Govt. Area | Owo |
| Elevation | 1,000 ft (300 m) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 40,000 |
| Estimate | |
| Time zone | GMT +1 |
| Postcode | 341103 |
Ipele (Yoruba: Ìpélè. Dialect: Ùpélè) is a town in Owo Local Government in Ondo State, South-Western Nigeria.
Contents |
[edit] History
The modern Ipele community is a conglomeration of eight ancient ethnic groups, all of Benin extraction, namely: Oko, Okeriwo, Igemoh, Ilana, Ujan, Usolo, Isire and Ofi. The first Quarter to be founded on the present site being occupied by the modern Ipele town was Oko which came into existence around 1640 A.D. However, Ofi Quarter which is the oldest of the eight ancient settlements but the last to join the modern Ipele town emerged in 1635 A.D.[1]
[edit] Geography
Ipele is located in the tropical rainforest. Ipele is directly 93 km east of Ondo town, 90 km north of Benin City and 65 km west of Auchi. By road, Ipele is about 15 km from Owo and 60 km from the Ondo State capital, Akure. Elevations in the town ranges from about 285 m to 305 m above sea level.
[edit] Economy
The main occupation of the Ipele people is farming. Cash crops such as cocoa, orange and kolanut are cultivated by a large number of farmers. The Ipele community also cultivates crops such as yam, cassava, cocoyam, tomatoes, pepper and corn in abundance.
[edit] Education
Ipele currently has no post-secondary schools.
The following schools are located in Ipele:
- Primary Schools
- Saint John's Anglican Primary School
- Saint Stephens Primary School
- Saint Pauls Catholic Nursery and Primary School
- Ansarudeen Primary School
- New Church Primary School
- Secondary Schools
- Community High School
- Diocesan Secondary School
[edit] Religion
Majority of Ipele people are Christians. There are quite a few Muslims as well.
Before the advent of Christianity in Ipele, the indigenes worshiped several gods one of which was Obalufon, a deified Oni of Ife. Obalufon was regarded as a higher god just below Oghodua (Olodumare) the Almighty.
In 1894, Chritianity was introduced to Ipele by Ghanaian rubber tappers who worked as migrant workers in the extensive rubber plantations around the town. They worked along side with indigenous workers and were able to introduce this Christianity to their indigenous colleagues. One of such colleagues was late Chief Israel Aiyejimiwo the first Baba-Egbe of the Church in Ipele and the architect of Ipele evangelism.
In December 1906, the Iyeyeriye episode occurred, arising out of the Christmas sermon preached by one John Ige who came from Lagos to strengthen new Christian converts in Ipele. During the sermon, he sang a song on the birth of Christ with the chorus Iyeyeriye Omolorun wa de o (Quite fittingly the Son of God arrives). This refrain later became very popular with all the converts in Owo District and so marked the beginning of a new era for Christians in the district. In June 1907, the first batch of twelve Ipele Christians were baptized by Bishop Johnson from Lagos.[2]
[edit] The Ero Festival
Ipele and the people of Ipele are rich in colourful various festivals but the most important one being the seven yearly ERO festival which is mainly aimed at celebrating old age and thanks giving for living a worthy and pious life (Sexagenarians and septuagenarians are believed to be in this group).
[edit] Some People from Ipele
The following is a list of some prominent Ipele Indigenes sorted alphabetically by surname:
Dr. Adewunmi Abitoye - Former Federal Minister of State for Education
Chief Oladapo Abitoye - Founder/CEO, Lordgate Travels & Tours
Mr. Dapo Aderinola - Former Editor, Daily Times of Nigeria
Com. Ayodele Adewale - Chairman, Amuwo-Odofin Local Govt., Lagos State
Oba Abel Alade - Olupele of Ipele
Hon. Johnson Olukayode Dairo - Fin. Consultant for the NHS and Founder, Hon. Kay Foundation
Mr. Oluwasuyi Dairo - London based Property Developer
Chief Meschack Feyide (late) - The first Nigerian OPEC Secretary General
Mr. Akinola Lasekan (late) - Foremost Nigerian Artist
Chief Olatosin Olabode Oladapo - CEO Bodbest Nigeria Limited
Hon. Dairo Olatunji, Member Ondo State House of Assembly
Dr. Tosin Olomolehin - Former Director of Public Health, Lagos State
Chief Titus Olupitan - Former Nigerian Senator
Professor Dele Orisawayi - Professor of English & Literary Studies
Mr. Adesida Thompson - National PRO Owo Local Government Area Student Union
[edit] References
- ^ Ipele Biographic Writers Vanguard (1987), Ipele Community Who's Who
- ^ http://www.clarionpool.com/
