Balogun Ayikondu The 1st Balogun of Egbaland

26/10/2024

ALAKE HAS MAINTAINED PRESCRIBE AUTHORITY OVER OTA AND ADO ODO LAND SINCE 1854.

👑⚔️👑 In the History of Egbaland in 1842 (182 years ago) the Egba forces under the command of Balogun Osho Ayikondu of Egbaland (Osho Igbein Mekun) initiated a conflict with the Ota people to secure unrestricted passage through Ota territory for the purpose of acquiring fi****ms in Lagos. This development prompted subsequent hostilities in 1844 against Ado-Odo for its earlier support of Ota. That same year, King Gezo of Dahomey ( Now Republic of Benin ) launched an unsuccessful war against Abeokuta, which was repeated in 1851 and 1862 but the Dahomey were defeated.
Igbein town served as the leading army of the Egba nation in the 17th and 18th century.

It is important to note that part of the strategy Sodeke, the Supreme leader and first Paramount Ruler of Egbaland (1830-1845) in Abeokuta devised during the 1842 Ota war, enabled Balogun Osho Ayikondu to lead the Egba forces to the front lines and achieve a decisive victory.

In 1843, the Egba forces, led by Balogun Osho Ayikondu, captured the Gbalefa peninsula's settlements, including Yewa south formerly known Egbado, Kajola Iboro, Atan, Iju, Sango, Ijoko, Itori, Oke Ore, and Adekoyeni and several other communities during the war with Ado-Odo. From 1843 these communities formed part of Egbaland thus came under the Egba native administration under the leadership of the Alake.

Between 1854 and 1900, Ota was ruled by the Egba through a resident representative, which makes the Olota of Ota a member of the Egba traditional council till date. In 1901 Gbadebo 1, the Alake appointed Oba Aina Ako, the Olota.

The warlords who took part in the successful battle at Ota and Ado Odo were: Osho Ayikondu (Balogun of Igbein), Ogunbona (Balogun of Ikija) Olufakun Olufimihan (Balogun of Owu) Olumloye (Balogun of Ilugun) Apati (Balogun of Kemta) Anoba ( Balogun of Ika) and Others. Notably, Olumloye Balogun of Ilugun fell during the battle and was succeeded by Balogun Agbunrin.

As the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo retains authority over the Gbalefa peninsula and surrounding areas, rooted in the region's historical heritage.

The Ota and Gbalefa districts, both under the Alake of Egbaland exhibited notable differences despite being within the same Ado-Odo / Ota Local Government.

On the prescribed authority, the Alake of Egbaland has successfully installed approximately 25 Baales and seven chiefs in the Gbalefa peninsula without any protest and hindrance. Indeed, five judgments have affirmed that the Olota has no jurisdiction over Gbalefa, Yewa south formerly known as Egbado, Atan, Sango, Ijoko, Itori, Oke Ore Kajola Ibooro and several other communities.

Prior to the return of Balogun Osho Ayikondu and the Egba forces from Ota and Ado Odo to Abeokuta, Sodeke had joined his ancestors on January 10th 1845.

The death of Sodeke led to Balogun Osho Ayikondu's appointment as the First Balogun of Egbaland in Abeokuta, in June 1845.

Osho L'ake 👑
Osho N'igbein ⚔️
⚔️ Ida wa N'igbein
👑 Ade wa L'ake
Ayikondu Jagun Oba
Olorogun Egba Osho Ayikondu
Lo'Oogun ofe ooo

Ota/Ado Odo! Itakun to ni ki Erin ma gun Oke toun T'erin lo nlo.

Osho Igbein Mekun Ruling House of Egbaland.

HenryTownsend










E-Signed
High Chief Oseni Ogunseye Osho Ayikondu
(Head of the Family)
Balogun Osho Ayikondu, Egbaland Historical War Museum, Isale Igbein Abeokuta. Ogun State.

24/09/2024

AYIKONDU DAY

23/09/2024

COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY OF BIBO OGUN AJOBO ILU IGBEIN TONIGHT AT BALOGUN OSHO AYIKONDU COMPOUND.

TIME 4PM.

23/09/2024

OGUN ONI'GBEIN A GBE WA OO

21/09/2024

The Annual Ogun Ajobo Igbein Egba Land Festival will Officially Commence with a Ceremony at the Balogun Osho Ayikondu Family Compound, beside Mrs. Filling Station, Isale Igbein, Abeokuta.
On Monday Sept 23rd, 2024.
Time: 4pm.

18/09/2024

⚔️👑⚔️AYIKONDU THE FIRST BALOGUN OF EGBALAND IN ABEOKUTA.

TRUE HISTORY OF THE EGBA TRADITIONAL AUTHORITY IN ABEOKUTA 1830-1866.

BALOGUN OSHO AYIKONDU DAY 2024
SEPT 24RD 2024.

In the history of Egbaland Balogun Osho Ayikondu, (a.k.a Osho Igbein Mekun) stands out as a military warlord who was second to none in the battle field. He was courageous, tactical and valiant too. He was the Balogun to High Chief Olubiyi Akinrinlewo Shodeke the supreme leader and first paramount ruler of Egbaland in Abeokuta, between 1830-1845.
After the death of High Chief Olubiyi Akinrinlewo Shodeke, he was succeeded by High Chief Balogun Osho Ayikondu who was next in line in the order of hierarchy.

Balogun Osho Ayikondu of Egbaland emerged as the head of military government in Abeokuta in 1845 after the death of Chief Sodeke.

Between the 17th and 18th century Igbein town functioned as the residence of the leading army of the Egba nation providing the Balogun, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, a tradition that began in Lisabi's time who led the Egba's successful revolt against the Old Oyo Empire between 1775-1780.

Abeokuta was established in 1830 as a refugee camp for the Egbas fleeing the devastation of their orile (Homestead) in the Yoruba civil war.
The Egba settlers in Abeokuta were forced to fight several wars which was led by the Egbaland military warlord Balogun Osho Ayikondu (a.k.a Osho Igbein Mekun) mostly for the survival of the emerging settlement.

In 1832 the Ijebus provoked the Egba settlers into taking arms against several Remo towns in the Owiwi war, led by Balogun Osho Ayikondu.

In 1834 Balogun Osho Ayikondu led war against an attempted Ibadan invasion which resulted in heavy defeat of the Ibadan army at the battle of Arakanga or Jabara war.

In 1842-1845 the Egbas engaged Otta and Ado Odo in fierce Battles. It is interesting to note that half way through the war Shodeke devised a way for the Egba contigent led by Balogun Osho Ayikondu to desert the war front and conquered.

Also in 1844 the Dahomey (now Benin Republic) under King Gezo invaded Abeokuta but were repelled by the Egbas led by Balogun Osho Ayikondu

In 1849 Egba forces attacked Ibarapa led by Balogun Osho Ayikondu for waylaying the Egbas in their territory.

In 1851,The Dahomey (now Benin Republic) repeated the invation, King Gezo himself led over 12,000 Dahomey Army to destroy Abeokuta. The Egba forces led by Balogun Osho Ayikondu met Dahomey at Imojolu war and suffered the devastating defeat of their largely female 'Amazon' warriors who were pursued all the way to the outskirt of their kingdom and King Gezo of Dahomey, who narrowly escaped capture but lost his royal stool, umbrella, war drums and his war charms to fire power of the Egba forces.
Also, Balogun Osho Ayikondu led Egba forces against the Ijebus and the ijayes between 1860-1862 and the Makun war of 1862-1864.
Balogun Osho Ayikondu of Egbaland is reputed to have led few other wars with successes at that time.

The death of Shodeke about 10th January 1845 brought about decline in the fortune of the Balogun institution in Egbaland. He's demise brought about fraction in Olorogun (warlords) institution in Abeokuta, but Igbein town was the leading army of the Egba nation in the 17th and 18th century and Igbein people supplied the supreme commander in chief of the Egba armies (Balogun). This practice dated from Lisabi's time. The successful revolt of the Egba's against old Oyo empire was led by Lisabi a war chief and resident of Igbein in Egba forest sometime between 1775 -1780.
Osho Ayikondu was the Balogun of Igbein Egbaland in 1830 during the re-setlement of the Egba's in Abeokuta, he led the Egba forces to the war front, while Sodeke was the leaders of the Egba's.

Balogun Osho Ayikondu a native of Igbein Egbaland Ake province (Eku otun clan) Rose to the seat of Balogun of Egbaland in 1845. This ancestion was in conformity with the traditional practice of the Egbas and also on his account of prowess and expertise in wars and defending Egbaland.

Balogun Osho Ayikondu ended all wars and the Egbas did not experienced any war. Some of the Egba war leaders are Ogunbona (Agboketoyinbo), Ogundipe, Alatishe, Seriki Akoodu, Sokenu, Bashorun Shomoye, Olufakun, Apati, Majekodunmi, Olumloye and host of others.
History has it that Balogun Osho Ayikondu was the one who crowned Okukenu (Sagbua) the first Alake ti ile Egba, The Okukenu the first in August 8th 1854. Okukenu the first (Sagbua ) whose father is from Ake and mother was from Ayikondu's family in Igbein and he was installed nine years after Ayikondu has been Balogun of Egbaland ( Head of military Government)

Thus goes the saying and the historical reference that
Osho L'ake
Osho N'igbein
Like the general saying of the Egbas the crown stays in Ake, while the sword stays in Igbein.

Ade wa L'ake
Ida wa N'Igbein

which means, the sword used by Balogun Osho Ayikondu to prosecute those wars resides and remain in Igbein.

Balogun Osho Ayikondu join his ancestors on April 29th 1866 after prosecuting many wars and he was buried at his compound in Isale igbein Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.
The remembrance of Balogun Osho Ayikondu is done during commencement of the annual Ogun Igbein land festival and it is a tradition in Igbein community Abeokuta. Indeed, it is the custom and practice that the family of Balogun Osho Ayikondu must kick start the Ogun festival celebration before any other family can proceed with the annual Ogun festival.
Balogun Osho Ayikondu, The First Balogun of Igbein land in 1830 and The First Balogun of Egbaland in Abeokuta from 1845-1866.

This historical perspective is authentic and the root, place, importance and the several achievements of Balogun Osho Ayikondu should not be swept under the carpet to avoid impostors modern day Baloguns of Egbas from rubbishing and taking over the true roles and significance of Balogun Osho Ayikondu. Let no one who does not deserve the Balogun of Egbaland be allowed and permitted to occupy the office of Balogun of Egbaland. The history of Balogun Osho Ayikondu as related above is authentic.

HERE'S THE LIST OF BALOGUN OF EGBALAND IN ABEOKUTA TILL DATE.

1. HIGH CHIEF OSHO AYIKONDU
2. HIGH CHIEF ABOWABA
3. HIGH CHIEF LALUDE
4. HIGH CHIEF ADEBIYI
5. HIGH CHIEF IDOWU SOYOYE
6. HIGH CHIEF AGBOOLA SOMEFUN
7. HIGH CHIEF JAMES OLUSEYE SOWEMIMO
8. HIGH CHIEF AMOS OSODOLAMU
9. HIGH CHIEF EMMANUEL OLUFEMI BABATUNDE
10. HIGH CHIEF ESURUOSO
11. HIGH CHIEF SIKIRU OLATUNDE ATOBATELE
THE PRESENT BALOGUN OF EGBALAND.












E-Signed:
High Chief Oseni Ogunseye Osho Ayikondu
(Head of the Family)
The Office of Media and Publicity
Balogun Osho Ayikondu Historical War Museum Isale Igbein, Abeokuta Ogun state Nigeria.

28/06/2024

Egbaland's cultural extravaganza is set to take the world by storm with its vibrant displays of tradition and heritage.

04/06/2024