Isara-Remo
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Isara-Remo is an ancient town in the present-day Remo North Local Government Area in Ogun State in Nigeria. It is the headquarters of the local government area (LGA). It has an area of 199 km² and a population of 59,911 at the 2006 census. It is the 6th largest town in Ogun state following Abeokuta, Ijebu Ode, ijebu Igbo, Sagamu and Ago Iwoye. Isara-Remo is almost exactly halfway between Lagos and Ibadan, very large metropolitan cities that have strongly influenced the history of Nigeria.
Isara-Remo was founded by Prince, an Ife hunter who wandered into the hinterlands and found the site suitable due to its defensive topography; he decided to settle there. He took the title Ode-omo. The title has since been contracted into Odemo and is still in use as the royal office of the Oba. Since then, the Obas of Isara have gotten their official emblems and crowns from Ile -Ife.
A town of predominantly farmers and hunters, the men of Isara-Remo have not been known to take part in any major wars except as peacemakers. The city has been called "Isara city of joy." An old saying describes it as "Isara afotamodi, ko'gun ma wo 'lu," which roughly translates into "Isara of the impregnable city walls".
The present-day Isara has seven royal households, which include: Igan, Rokodo-Erinshiba, Ogunshere-gbuko, Afonlade, Poke Bi Owu'la, Ayoledoye and Ojo Ko B'oye. In an ancient traditional rotation system, each family takes turns to present its preferred son or candidate to serve as the Odemo of Isara.
The population practices Christianity and Islam in similar proportions. Its people still practice the Egungun, Oro, Agemo and other traditional celebrations.
The town is bordered by the Ode-Remo, Akaka, Ipara and Imagbon communities. Isara-Remo is important in Ogun state for its belief in people politics in lieu of party politics.
Notable natives and residents
- Oba Samuel Akisanya, Afonlade II, Odemo of Isara 1944-1985 Oba and part of the struggle for Nigerian independence
- Otunba Fatai Samuel Sowemimo, Sole Administrator of Remo-North Local Government, Former Chairman of Ikenna Local Government, Former Honorable of The Ogun State House of Assembly, Former Commissioner of Sport and Former Special Adviser to Governor Gbenga Daniel on Rural Roads and Infrastructure.
- Oba (Lawyer) Adeboye Oladele Osideinde - 1989 - 1994 - Igan II, HRH [citation needed]
- Odemo Oba Adebayo Idowu Onadeko. engineer, HRH [citation needed]
- Francis Onabowu, the last Chairman of the defunct Sagamu LGA[citation needed]
- Wole Soyinka, poet, writer and playwright, winner of 1986 Nobel Prize for Literature
- Sunday Shonekan [citation needed]
- James 'Jas' Talabi [citation needed]
- Amos Olusoga Talabi
- Sir Olanihun Ajayi, Konyinsola Ajayi (SAN) [citation needed]
- Sir Babatunde Olajubu Runsewe, Community Activist, bureaucrat, and politician. Former Commissioner Ogun State Nigeria. Former Permanent Secretary, and later Director General, in various capacities, Ogun State, Nigeria.
- Dele Awoniyi, chief [citation needed]
- Engr.(Prince) Adegboyega Osideinde[citation needed]
- Prince Abiola Osideinde[citation needed]
- John S. Obafemi [citation needed]
- Olu Sonupe, chief [citation needed]
- Eng. Amoda [citation needed]
- Alhaji J.A Abass, Alhaja R.Y Abass [citation needed]
- Alh Salaudeen Otun, Chief[citation needed]
- Obafemi Akinsanya[citation needed]
- Chief Pekun Awobona, politician, Leader and first Executive Chairman of Remo North Local Government)[citation needed]
- Chief Ganiyu Ogunmona (Seriki of Isara)[citation needed]
- Segun Ganiyu (Seriki of Isara Son)Germany[citation needed]
- Dr. Oluwatobi Oyefeso [1][2]
- Solomon Oluwaseyi-Osho Leader, Legislative Council, Remo North Local Government, Isara [citation needed]
- Otunba Francis Olaitan Banwo ( Former Commissioner of Education in Ogun state).
- Dr. Richard F. A. Mayungbe (Leading Global Forensic Accountant)
References