Isara-Remo

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

• Wole Soyinka, poet, writer and playwright, winner of 1986 Nobel Prize for Literature