Ikeji-Arakeji

Ikeji-Arakeji is a town in Oriade local government Area of Osun state, Nigeria.It is located in west of Nigeria,37 km from Akure (Capital of Ondo State). The people are Ijesa tribe of Yoruba ethnic group.The inhabitants are majorly farmers and christans.History recognises the coming together of two populations made of odo ipo and Oke Ikeji.The people of Arakeji originally migrated from Ikeji Ile in the early 1900s. The Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU) a private Nigerian university is located in Ikeji-Arakeji in Osun State, established by the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Worldwide.The university is named after the first Spiritual leader of Christ Apostolic Church, Joseph Ayo Babalola (1904–1959); it is located at the place where he was called by God in 1928. Oral traditions has it that the origin of this peaceful and united community dates back to over a century ago when for reason of security and to put a permanent stop to incessant attackes and slave raiding by the mercenaries of the Oba of Benin, popularly known as Ado Bini, the settlements was initially founded at oke-Arifon which topography was seemingly impregnable and ensured easy repulsion of attacks from invading enemies. in spite of the rock surroundings and the tough and strong nature of the settlers at oke-Arifon, oral history has it that the settlement was successfully invaded by slave raiders and many were brutally murdered in cold blood an others were carried away into captivity and sold them as slaves.

The rest of the settlers at Oke Arifon decided to move eastwards of Oke Arifon to found a new settlement on the instruction and at the divine guidance of the Oracle (Ifa) which directed them to select the new settlement wherever they encountered rainfall (eji), they settled at the present site of Ikeji-Ile. Ikeji town is populated largely by three groups: the Iras, the Ipos and the Ikejis (they are Ijesha settlers). Unlike in other Yorubas community, these three groups have lived together for over a century (from their times in Ikeji Ile) without any communal clash or war.

The movement to Ikeji Arakeji

Arakeji is the principal deity of the town, now known as old Ikeji. The town, the original settlement (Ikeji Ile) had a very hilly topography and was not the ideal location for good communication, although it was good for security purposes. the town itself was rugged and suffered from erosion. it was against this background that the British Administrative officer in 1918 advised the community to move from Ikeji Ile (old Ikeji) to new site so as to make the town readily accessible for regular communications and establishment of social amenities. The Advice was acceptable and the former Agamo now the present site Ikeji Arakeji was chosen. The new settlement is known as Ikeji Arakeji, after the principal deity of the Old Ikeji, which was residing there.