Iragbiji (also Ira-gba-iji) is a town and capital of the Boripe Local Government Area, Osun State, Nigeria, near Ikirun. The town is inhabited by the Yoruba people.[2] The population of Iragbiji people is about 164,172.[1]

Iragbiji
Iragbiji is located in Nigeria
Iragbiji
Iragbiji
Coordinates: 7°54′0″N 4°41′0″E / 7.90000°N 4.68333°E / 7.90000; 4.68333[1]
Elevation
429 m (1,407 ft)
Time zoneUTC+1 (West Africa Time)

History and oral tradition edit

Short story of Iragbiji by a native speaker

According to local history[3] the name Iragbiji came into being over 600 years ago, it was reported that first settlers made their homes under an IRA tree (Bradilier Thongy).[4] The town was founded by a great hunter from Ejio compound in Moore, Ile Ife called Sunkungbade (Obebe). The man Sunkungbade got his name from a drama he created while he was still an infant. He was said to be in the habit of crying ceaselessly and not even the milk of his mother's breasts could soothe him.[5] As it was the practice in those days, an ifa (oracle) was consulted to determine why he cried so much. The ifa advised his parents to make a miniature crown and place it on his head whenever he cried.[6] The oracle's advice worked, and so Sunkungbade (he who cried to get a crown) was added to his names. The Ifa priest, Oladunjoye, foretold that when Sunkungbade became an adult he would ask to found his own community and that he should be allowed to do so. As the child matured, he started exhibiting all the traits the priest had foretold. He was courageous, intelligent, strong-willed and especially attached to tradition and culture. He was a such a great hunter that it was said he had mystic powers. He married a woman named Oloyade. Soon after, he asked his parents to be allow him to leave and found his own settlement. Remembering the oracle's advice, his parents gave their blessing.[7]

Traditional institutions edit

The Sukungbade's descendants broken down into four ruling houses: Ajibode, Ogunmolu, Osungbemi, and Arowodoye/Arodoye.[8]

They have been Aragbijis in unbroken succession since the founding of Iragbiji. The present Aragbiji, Oba Rasheed Ayotunde Olabomi, Odundun IV is the fourth on the Ajibode Ruling House Lineage.[9]

Tourist attractions edit

Iragbiji has a number of natural tourist sites, some of which are as follows: Okanyilule (Double hills),[10] Ile-Ona Museum of Art and Archival materials (collection of M.O.),[11] The Palace museum, Igbodu place/Cave Ori Oke, Ayeye (mythical stream), Alagaso water source, Alagaso cave, Oke Moori, Okuta Odo (Motar) hill, Osun shrine, Obatala shrine, Igbo Igbale, Isikan hill, Ile Nla (Antiquated palace building), Ota Igun hill, Gbanla/Oso Osi site, Ojolukoko shrine, Oba Ogunmolu shrine, Isanpa, Traditional war fence (Earth), Traditional stone wall fence, Sanpona shrine Oke Agbo and Ira Tree site.[6][12]

Boripe Local Government Chairmen from 1991 edit

Boripe local government was created in 1991

  • Prince Gboyega Famoodun
  • Elder Bode Aremu
  • Alhaji Kareem Adegboyega Afolabi
  • Chief Adeniyi Aina
  • Elder Ruben Ajayi
  • Prince Bimbo Oyedele
  • Hon. Kehinde Hassan Moronkeji[13]
  • Hon. Tajudeen Abiodun Ayantoye[14]
  • Hon. (Rev) Oyeyiola Adelani Adebayo
  • Hon. Adeyemi Fatai tayelolu

Educational institutions edit

Iragbiji is currently experiencing growth in size with number of educational institutions as evident below;[15]

Public primary schools edit

  • N. U. D School 1, Isale Oyo, Iragbiji
  • N. U. D. School 2, Isale Oyo, Iragbiji
  • St. Peters Anglican Primary School, Oloti Area, Iragbiji
  • Baptist Primary School, Isale Oyo, Iragbiji
  • C & S Primary School, Ajegunle Area, Iragbiji
  • Oba Rasheed Ayotunde Olabomi Model Primary School, Orita Odan, Iragbiji
  • C. A. C. Primary School, Idi-Isakaagba, Iragbiji
  • L. A. Primary School, Popo, Iragbiji
  • L. A. Primary School Eesade, Iragbiji
  • Methodist Primary School, Otapete Area, Iragbiji
  • Ajani Okin Memorial Primary School, Adugbo, Iragbiji

Less City

  • C. A. C. Primary School, Idi-Ogungun
  • Community Primary School, Oore
  • Community Primary School, Odebudo
  • Aderibigbe Memorial Primary School, Eleesun
  • Agbeniga Community Primary School, Aro Ayedaade
  • D. C. Primary School, Egbeda
  • Community Primary School, Ayekale

Public secondary schools edit

  • Oke Iragbiji Grammar School, Iragbiji
  • Baptist Secondary Grammar School, Iragbiji
  • Unity School, Iragbiji
  • Nawar-ud-Deen Grammar School, Isale Oyo, Iragbiji

Private nursery / primary schools edit

  • FOMWAN Nursery School, Adugbo, Iragbiji
  • God Supremacy Nursery & Primary School, Iragbiji
  • Our Lady of Fatimah Nursery & Primary School, Adikoko, Iragbiji
  • Pace Setter Nursery & Primary School, Egbeda Road, Iragbiji
  • Onward Nursery & Primary School, Iragbiji
  • Gods Heritage Nursery & Primary School, Iragbiji
  • Prince of Peace Nursery & Primary School, Iragbiji
  • Ibad Rahaman Nursery & Primary School, Iragbiji
  • Dunit Nursery & Primary School, Iragbiji
  • Markaz Nursery & Primary School, Iragbiji
  • A2 Group of Schools, Isale Oyo, Iragbiji

Private secondary schools edit

  • FOMWAN High School, Iragbiji
  • Victory Scientific High School, Iragbiji
  • A2 Comprehensive High School, Iragbiji
  • Muslim Comprehensive High School, Iragbiji
  • Pace Setter Group of Schools, Iragbiji

Tertiary institutions edit

  • Pathfinder College of Health Technology, Isanpa, Iragbiji.
  • Proposed Bisola University, Egbeda Road, Iragbiji
  • Osun State College of Education Ilesa Sandwich Centre, Oke-Iragbiji Grammar School, Iragbiji

Health institutions edit

  • Comprehensive Health Centre, Iragbiji[16]
  • Four Primary Health Centres (Public)
  • Ten Private Hospitals/Medical Centres, Iragbiji
  • National Primary Health Centre, Iragbiji (Inoperational)

As of 2006, about 75% of children in five different schools in Iragbiji were found to have intestinal helminth parasites (a type of parasitic worm).[17]

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Iragbiji - Osun State Map, Weather and Photos - Nigeria: populated place - Lat:7.9 and Long:4.68333". www.getamap.net. Retrieved 2020-06-25.
  2. ^ "Iragbiji, Nigeria". Obatala Centre for Creative Arts. Archived from the original on 2007-03-10. Retrieved 2006-12-22.
  3. ^ Iragbiji, Abdullateef Aliyu, who was in (2020-09-13). "'In Iragbiji, we guard our cultural heritage jealously'". Daily Trust. Retrieved 2020-09-13.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ "Iragbiji hills: Monuments of nature's beauty". Tribune Online. 2018-10-30. Retrieved 2020-06-14.
  5. ^ "Iragbiji in Nigerian History: A Preamble".
  6. ^ a b "Iragbiji in Nigerian History: A Preamble". The DEFENDER. 2017-08-06. Retrieved 2020-06-15.
  7. ^ Villagespec (2016-07-15). "Brief History of Iragbiji town in Osun State". villagespec.com. Retrieved 2020-06-15.
  8. ^ "History of Iragbiji Town | PDF | Nigeria". Scribd. Retrieved 2022-12-31.
  9. ^ "Iragbiji hills: Monuments of nature's beauty". Tribune Online. 2018-10-30. Retrieved 2020-06-19.
  10. ^ Abdulrasheed, Olabomi Odundun IV. "Oriki Iragbiji". Youtube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-19.
  11. ^ Villagespec (2016-07-15). "Brief History of Iragbiji town in Osun State". villagespec.com. Retrieved 2020-06-18.
  12. ^ "Iragbiji hills: Monuments of nature's beauty". Tribune Online. 2018-10-30. Retrieved 2020-06-15.
  13. ^ "List of Local Government in Osun State, Nigeria, LGA Chairman and their Location (2023) – Information". Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  14. ^ "Full List of Newly Appointed Local Govt Caretaker Committee In Osun – State of Osun Official Website". Retrieved 2020-06-22.
  15. ^ "The Name Iragbiji". www.google.com.
  16. ^ Online, Tribune (2019-04-09). "In Iragbiji, initiative offers free surgeries for the indigent". Tribune Online. Retrieved 2022-12-31.
  17. ^ Ijagbone, I. F.; T. F. Olagunju (2006). "Intestinal Helminth Parasites in School Children in Iragbiji, Boripe Local Government, Osun State, Nigeria" (PDF). African Journal of Biomedical Research. 9: 63–66. Retrieved 2006-12-22.

7°54′00″N 4°40′59″E / 7.9°N 4.683°E / 7.9; 4.683