Ifisin-Ekiti

AN ABRIDGED PROFILE OF IFISIN-EKITI

By

Seye Adetunmbi, The Eletolua of Ifisin-Ekiti, 2011

Ifisin-Ekiti like any other Ekiti community is as old as the contemporary Yoruba town in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Ifisin indigenes are unique like any other notable human race in the contemporary world. Under the confederation of the old Ekiti Kingdom the people had been living together as brothers and sisters long before the 19^th century when Yoruba Kingdom came together and adopted a common dialect as the official lingua franca. Ekiti core values of honesty, transparency, credibility, integrity, hard work and uprightness are the virtues of Ifisin indigenes. These are the unique characteristics that have always made Ekiti people to stand out positively over the years. Thus, everyone born within or outside Ifisin by parents who are indigenes, likewise every non-native who associates with or supports the progress of Ifisin community, also anyone who works and lives in Ifisin and imbibe the lasting cultural and fundamental values in the practical sense of it is considered an Ifisin personality.

GEOGRAPHY OF IFISIN

Location: Ifisin-Ekiti is situated in Ido/Osi Local Government Area of Ekiti-State of Western Nigeria with a landed area of approximately over 9,000 square kilometers. It is falls within the Ekiti District in Yoruba land. It lies close to the heart of Ekiti Land. The town enjoys the benefit of proximity to the link roads to Abuja via, Ifaki, Ikole, Omuo, Kabba and Lokoja; Lagos via Ido, Ijero, Aramoko, Ilesa and Ibadan; Kaduna via Ido, Usi, Otun, Omu-aran, Ilorin, Jebba and Kotangora; and Ondo town via Ado, Ikere and Akure. Its geographical location has its own unique advantage. Ifisin like most of the counterpart Ekiti communities have very limited land space. The community is surrounded by small and big towns with which they share the little distances in between themselves. Towards Aye-Ekiti side, the town has only few meters while going towards Igbole-Ekiti, it is less than 5 kilometers. To some extent the inner farmlands on both sides of the community, Ifisin has fairly large expanse of land where it shares some interior boundaries with Ifaki, Osi Ora and Ido-Ekiti.

Climate: The climatic condition of the town has the characteristic features of the tropical climate.  The town lies within the Longitude 7 degrees east and Latitude 8 degrees north of the equator.  It lies on the path of the sun and hence it has a hot climate.  Temperature ranges between 70 degrees Fahrenheit and 95 degree Fahrenheit in the coolest and hottest months.  The daily average range of the sun beats down heavily while the rain sends down its showers during the wet season. The prevalent source of rain in the community is by way of conventional type of rainfall.  The wind system is in conformity with that of Nigeria generally.  From March to November except for a month or more of dry period, when the South West rain bearing wind is felt.  But from December to about February the reverse is the case.  The North East dry wind that is not accompanied with rain steps-in.  The local wind called the harmatan has its foothold at this time. There are thunderstorms sometimes which could be destructive.

Vegetation: Ifisin falls within the belt of deciduous forest. It is not too far from the transitional zone for the deciduous and pure Savannah. To its north one has to go about 50 to 60 kilometers to reach the southern limit of the Savannah region which is the boundary for the Northern Region. As it is usually found around villages or old towns, virgin forests (Egan) within a radius of half a kilometer or more are found sheltering and surrounding the town.  The far-off uncultivated areas are also thickly forested.  Land is usually cultivated for farming purpose.  Some of the land has been reduced to parklands with shrubs. In the forest around Ifisin and in their farms are commercial trees like Iroko, Mahogany, Obeche, Arere wormwood and palm trees. The resourceful Ifisin community falls within the naturally endowed belt in the supply of timber for the export market in Nigeria. Wildlife species in these forests include antelopes, deer, rats and snakes. Birds of different shapes and sizes are found. But games like the Elephant and Crocodiles are rare.

Land Forms: The town situates on a relatively flat terrain of hard land with little or no trace of strips of marshy or swampy land close to the developed part of the town. The community has few perennial streams and ponds that to some extent serve the people all the year round.  Some of these ponds could be developed to serve as sources of water supply in future whenever such opportunity arises. Ifisin land is surrounded and characterised by modest highlands. Within 60 feet, one can strike water table in the relatively high area of the community.

Soil Structure: The soil has some measure of pure laterite underlay by hard core of solidified laterite. The fact that the underlying soil is compact rock, the water table is considerably near the surface.  This also makes it easy for the soil of the town to lose its water quickly during the dry season. A fairly well dug and deep well may survive the dry season in most part of the physically developed section of the town. Some of the underlying rocks have been exposed by constant erosion

The People: The population of Ifisin people is slightly under 20,000 inhabitants, majority of who live outside the town, in Nigeria and abroad. Indigenes and others who live in Ifisin are mainly peasant farmers, civil servants including teachers and pensioners. With the advent of western education, Ifisin indigenes embraced it and the community is of one the producers of intellectuals in all fields of human endeavors in modern Nigeria.

Social Amenities: Ifisin has primary and secondary schools facilities for the use of the indigenes and neighboring communities. There is a maternity home and primary health Care Centre. The town has public electricity supply though yet to fully enjoy pipe borne water facility. However, the community has private sector supported bore hole water supply. Through communal efforts, the indigenes embarked on a yet to be completed big town hall project with over 5000 sitting capacity for social events, meetings and conferences.

Occupation: The indigenes and residents are mainly farmers. They cultivate food crops and cash crops.  Such crops are yam, maize, banana, cotton, beans and peas.  Cocoa and coffee are now being planted in fairly large quantity. With the presence of government in the community such as public Schools and Health Center, the community has very little civil servants.

THE ACCEPTANCE SPEECH OF ALAYELUA OBA PASTOR MICHAEL FOLARIN FABUNMI, ONARINLA IV, THE ONIFISIN OF IFISIN-EKITI

Your Excellency, Dr Kayode Fayemi, the Governor of Ekiti State; Your Excellency, Mrs Funmi Olayinka, the Deputy Governor of Ekiti State; Secretary to the State Government; Distinguished National Assembly Members; Members of the State Executive Council; Members of Ekiti State House of Assembly; Chairman of Ido/Osi Local Government; Royal fathers and Members of Ekiti State Traditional Council, other traditional rulers and Oloris; Honorable Commissioners; Special Advisers to Ekiti State Government; My Lords temporal and spiritual, all the Christian religious leaders present (permit me to recognize the Deputy Head of RCCG worldwide who stood-in for Pastor Adeboye who would have been part of us here); My highly respected Ifisin Chiefs and eminent Ifisin sons and daughters, members of the press; security agents; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

   The great and memorable event of today is the Lord’s doing and it is marvelous in our eyes. Indeed, today is the day the Lord has made to formally herald a new honorable order in my life as well as open a fresh chapter in the life of Ifisin community. I must first give thanks to God the Almighty for making it possible for all of us to witness this remarkable occasion. My profound gratitude goes to His Excellency, Dr Kayode Fayemi who in spite of the tight schedule of the office of Ekiti State Governor, graced the occasion with his esteemed presence. Ifisin community appreciates you and applauds your commendable programmes which give every well meaning Ekiti indigene hope of more beautiful dividends of a working democracy to come. As they say, morning shows the day; I wish your administration greater exploits. To the chairman of Ido/Osi Local Government Area and other government officials who have contributed to the success of this coronation, I say thank you. When a community is making progress and developing, it is evident that the monarch is enjoying resourceful support of the community and my fellow Ifisin indigenes for their love and commitment.

My ascension to the throne of Onifisin has divine tinge. As an ordained Pastor in the Redeem Christian Church of God (RCCG), it was an initial challenge for me to take decision on the clarion call to become an Oba. In the cause of meditation, revelation came that the second institution created by God after the marriage institution is kingship and the purposeful leadership for God’s children. With this declaration in Deuteronomy 17:14-20, there and then I accepted the divine call from my community to superintend over their affairs as God’s destiny for me. Your Excellency, may I therefore humbly accept this great honor bestowed on me by forebears and assure everyone of my determination to give the lifetime assignment my best shot God being my helper. I have no doubt in my mind that the government, all ranks of my associates, friends and other well wishers of Ifisin community will continue to lend their hands of support to make this task ahead surmountable for my reign and tenure as the Onifisin of Ifisin.

We thank the government for the minimal ongoing presence in Ifisin community and the modest contribution from the private sector. Water and electricity supply still constitute major challenge for my people. The borehole project executed by erstwhile government was not completed. The two public bore holes were abandoned, while through my personal intervention I was able to get one of them functioning to serve the community which obviously is grossly inadequate. The last transformer installed in Ifisin-Ekiti very many years ago, has become unserviceable and does no longer meet the growing demands and needs of Ifisin community. Other neighboring communities have more than two, and there are towns just a little bit over our size that have 6 transformers. They always enjoy electricity while we are without electricity.

    Your Excellency, on behalf of my community, permit me to use this opportunity to demand and ask for more, because entrepreneurs are considering coming to establish small scale industries and electricity has always been a major concern. The Igbole-Ifisin-Aye axis has been an important alternative link road to national transportation from Lagos to Abuja, yet we have been neglected for many years. On occasions like this, we have received promises from past governments to assist in opening up our areas to modern development, but nothing happened. Therefore, we are believing God that this administration will be tuned to more economics, social and political development for Igbole, Ifisin and Aaye axis, especially Ifisin, because of its central location. At this juncture, I like to say that Igbole-Ifisin-Aye axis is ripe enough to have its own local government council. The three towns combined have technocrats, civil servants of high caliber and seasoned politicians who are able to run the administration of a local government. The approval of a local government council for us will go down in the record of history of this administration’s development efforts of bringing the grass root to the central government.

The kingmakers and my other chiefs of Ifisin have demonstrated that they are honorable people and this worthy disposition is a major source of inspiration for me in pursuit of my royal responsibilities. Ifisin is blessed with wide range of elites who are doing well in their respective callings. It is now time for everybody to come home regularly and associate with the new dawn in Ifisin. The community needs more hands on board. Let everyone bears in mind or remembers that no outsider will develop our community for us. Ifisin youths are urged to work harder and pursue honorable ways in order to cope with the reality of our nation. No food for a lazy man, engage yourselves constructively and stay out of trouble. My prayer is that things will begin to look up for Ifisin indigenes home and abroad in Jesus name. Amen. My forerunners in Ekiti traditional council of Obas, I thank you for admitting me to your hallowed royal fold. May the council continue to grow from strength to strength and God will grant us the grace to be our brother’s keepers. May I use this opportunity to encourage more purposeful collaboration of communities that share boundaries and integrated common interests to maximize social benefits arising from government projects and private sector initiatives. Let’s explore optimally, strengths of communities for our collective advantage. Any community with an excess capacity should kindly extend hand to a needy community amicably. A candle loses nothing by lighting another one. God will help us.

How would I have been able to cope without a very supportive royal Onarinla ruling house, descendants of Fabunmi, my immediate family members and my inestimable jewel, Olori Laduntan Fabunmi. You are a pillar of support without which, the journey would have been possible, I appreciate you so much. My children and grandchildren are also appreciated for your support. To my friends and numerous well wishers, I say big thank you for your moral and financial support. At this point I must acknowledge Pastor E, A. Adeboye my spiritual father for his encouragement towards my new calling. I want to also place on record, my family relationship with Alhaji Dr Adebola & Alhaja Ajibike Adegunwa for their long standing support in my life. Likewise, Are Afe Babalola, the legal legend of our days, the founder of ABUAD; Chief Mike Ade-Ojo, Founder of Elizade Nigeria Limited and Elizade University, Ilara Mokin, Ondo-State; and Dr Chief Adeniyi Fateye, the proprietor Ibilade Memorial Hospital, my childhood mentor. I quite appreciate you. Whoever is serving people and his community, is serving God. Everybody who assists a Kabiyesi to get result in his service to the community is also serving God. The reward of those who serve the Lord is bountiful. Thus, as for me and my household we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15. Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, I thank you for the honor of your presence. Adele bare o Amin. God bless all and accept my sincere thanks, while wishing you journey mercies back to your respective destinations in Jesus name. Amen.

IFISIN: HOMOGENEITY WITH DISTINCTION

A special essay by Okanlomo Eletolua Seye Adetunmbi for the coronation of Onifisin of Ifisin, Oba Pastor Michael F. Fabunmi, October 2011

Every Yoruba community, big or small has its own unique history. Ifisin-Ekiti in Ido/Osi local government area of Ekiti State is no exception. Contemporarily, if the timeless cultural heritage of a typical community does not stand the people out as a going concern in the 21st century and beyond, then more often, it is the caliber of the monarch that provides leadership in modern times that often project obscure communities to the world. With the choice of the suave, devout Christian of repute internationally exposed and quintessential Oba Michael Fabunmi; Ifisin community have not only got it right but had embarked on the journey of communal greatness. This divine choice is bound to project the people positively and place the town in a limelight for the current elites to explore optimally while the younger and future generation will build on it. This is why the scheduled 2011 coronation of His Royal Majesty, Oba Pastor Fabunmi has put the community on the spotlight. Subsequent to the privilege of meeting the affable 15th monarch of Ifisin, coupled with my natural interest in tradition; I took it upon myself to dig into the aboriginal culture and history of the town. In the process, I spoke with some notable indigenes of Ifisin courtesy of Kabiyesi Fabunmi. However, an engaging interaction with High Chief Joshua Adelusi, Chief Dr Adeniyi Fateye and Alayelua Oba Fabunmi provided rich ancient facts which informed the historical highlights in this exposition.

Origin of the Indigenes: Like other Yoruba communities, Ifisin has the origin of the town traced to Ile-Ife. Legend has it that Alamopo who originated from Ile-Ife, migrated from Ikole to settle at Ifisin-Ekiti. On his Ifisin bound journey, he was accompanied by his younger cousin who was helping him in running the affairs of the town when they arrived in Ifisin. Alamopo was a brave hunter and in the course of his exploits in the surrounding communities, he was able to persuade his co-hunters to come together and provide basic communal security for their wards against invaders. The five kinsmen of Alamopo who were also brave hunters that agreed to his proposal of coming together were Ajagemo, Onisere, Olua, Obamode and Olomu. He had a great feast of pounded yam (iyan) with palm wine (ogoro) for them which consumed a big cow (elila). In the course of the memorable party, the first son of Oba Olu-Obagbi Abakuta, the then reigning Olojudo of Ido-Ekiti was on a hunting expedition, he appeared at the scene. It was a cherished historical encounter at Ilamopo hamlet; they all dined together with excitement. The leftover meat was shared by Alamopo in this order; Olojudo's son, Ajagemo, Onisere, Olua, Obamode and Olomu. This is why Alamopo retains the role and the title of Olojua the person who officially shares things in the tradition of Ifisin. After doing justice to the sharing of the items, he then asked the beneficiaries how he has fared in the sharing exercise. His kinsmen chorused in their dialect 'ofin-osin' (you did well). This is where the name Ifisin is said to have emerged.

Ifisin and Ido-Ekiti Bond: The prince of Olojudo went back to brief his royal father about his experience at Ifisin. Olojudo Olu-Obagbi Abakuta came from Ido-Irapa with a crown that accompanied him from Ile-Ife. The Olojudo had three children; Adetolabo, Omotijande and Ologun Onumo. When Ifisin people wanted to install a King, they sent to Olojudo Abakuta to send Adetolabo to become the first Onifisin of Ifisin. It then became a trend in the olden days that whenever the reigning Olojudo passed on, the reigning Oba Ifisin was elevated to succeed his father at Ido-Ekiti. Oral history put it that the father of Olu-Obagbi was Obamoro who came with a crown from Ife to settle at Ido with his friend Emila. Based on mutual understanding, Adetolabo left Ifisin with all his possessions, children and assets to become Olojudo. In subsequent years, Osodo was chosen to become the new Onifisin. It was this Oba Osodo who declined when it was time to proceed to Ido and become Olojudo. His fundamental reason was that such relocation was the loss of Ifisin and the gain of Ido because the Oba had to move with all his possessions. He then preferred that his son should be made the king instead. During the reign of Olu-Obagbi, Ido people left Odo-Oba for igbo esisun where Ido Faboro is located. The old palace was built during the reign of Olojudo Obagbi and Ifisin people contributed immensely to the project because the then reigning Onifisin was a son of the then Olojudo. After the completion of the palace Olojudo asked Onifisin to send cockerel (akuko adiye) to him for celebration. This festival is called ebo-owa-eyo which is performed in Olojudo palace. By the special grace of God, it is a new dawn in Ifisin-Ekiti.

Culture of Ifisin People: By tradition in Ifisin, the head of princes and princesses (Olori omo-owa) is charged with the official announcement of the transition any Onifisin. The town warriors (Elegbes) will cut the top of standing trees in the town and for three months market activities are put on hold whenever a monarch has passed on. Within the three months all ceremonies pertaining to the transition must be concluded. The Iwarefa, the king makers are High Chiefs Ajagemo from Iyinsin, Onisere from Igbo-isere, Olua from Igbo-Iniya, Obamode from Igbo-Ibamode, Olomu from Ilomu, Alamopo from Ilamopo (Afobaje/Olojua) and Olupo the assistant of Olojua. The traditional role of Alamopo is to install Onifisin with the insignia of office. With the new dawn, cultures and traditions are changing for better and God’s willing, conscious effort is being made to improve on the best practices for the progress of Ifisin-Ekiti.

The Past Onifisin of Ifisin: In the olden days, it was the first son of Olojudo who was always seconded to Ifisin. Fourteen Onifisin is said to have ruled up to when Oba Pastor MF Fabunmi ascended the throne of his fore fathers. The names of the eleven past Onifisin are known while research on the remaining three still continues. The first Onifisin was Oba Abapata. Adetolubo ruled over Ifisin and later went back to become Olojudo while Osodo refused to leave Ifisin which put an end to seconding prince from Ido to Ifisin to become an Oba. The ruling houses merged into two to become Adejugbe Amudasile and Ogidilusu Onarinla. Oral history put it that the following Onifisin reigned till date:

1	Onifisin Gbimi	9	Oba Adejugbe
2	Onifisin Osedogun	10	Oba Fajembola I
3	Onifisin Oluereke	11	Oba Fabunmi I
4	Onifisin Oluaran	12	Oba Falade
5	Oba Olu-Obagbi	13	Oba Fabunmi II Onarinla III
6	Oba Adetolabi	14	Oba Fajembola II
7	Oba Osodo	15	Oba Michael Fabunmi III Onarinla IV 2008-date
8	Oba Onarinla I

Vibrant Future Beckons: Ifisin situates in a strategic location that shares boundaries with Aye, Ora, Ido, Igbole, Osi and Ifaki. The God fearing community has its own share of Christian values. Methodist Church is among the oldest denominations and to God be the glory, the author of this article was among the congregation of the first service conducted to plant a new Anglican Church in Ifisin by St Michael’s Anglican Church Ifaki in the 1970s. There are other Churches of different persuasions in the community. His Royal Majesty Oba Pastor Michael Folarin Fabunmi has been instrumental to the establishment the Redeemed Christian Church of God parish in Ifisin, all to the glory of God. The large expanse of boundary land gives room for expansion for future physical growth. As a matter of fact, the impact of any major government project or big private sector initiative situated in the outskirts of Ifisin will rub on the 6 boundary towns. It will amount to the adage of deploying one stone to kill several birds. This is why it is high time for Ifisin indigenes home and abroad who are occupying high offices in their respective callings to come home and rally round the new monarch who is leaving his comfort zone in the United States of America to give this divine call to serve his people his best shot. May King Pastor Michael Fabunmi live longer than his progenitors and may God make things look up more for Ifisin-Ekiti during his reign in Jesus name. Amen.

THE QUINTESSENTIAL MONARCH OF DESTINY

Oba Pastor Michael Folarin Fabunmi in an integrated perspective by Eletolua Seye Adetunmbi

It is no longer news in Yoruba land that every community ensures that whoever emerges as their monarch is an educated person. It has practically become an unwritten rule which may only be waved in an extremely unavoidable situation where there is dearth of such caliber of princes within the ruling house that is supposed to provide a succeeding king. All the same, being educated is not enough for a monarch to stand out. What makes one to be more unique than others is a combination of factors which include professional calling, exposure, disposition and vision. Any community that gets it right is destined for greatness. If a community does not attain global relevance through economic and historical advantage; then what often catapults such community to the limelight is the kind of monarch on the throne. This is why kudos goes to Iwarefa and elites of Ifisin for the choice of His Royal Majesty, Oba Pastor Michael Folarin Fabunmi Onarinla IV as the Onifisin of Ifisin. The potentials of the monarch had since manifested after his installation in February 2008 which portends good tidings awaiting the community in the years ahead.

Alayelua Oba Pastor Michael Folarin Fabunmi Onarinla IV & Olori Laduntan Fabunmi

Oba Pastor Fabunmi was born in 1954 into the Fabunmi royal family of Onarinla Ruling House in Ifisin-Ekiti. Kabiyesi spent early part of his life outside Ekiti including Primary and Secondary School education. He started his banking job in Wema Bank in the 1970s and in 1986 he graduated from the Chartered Institute of Bankers, London (now Institute of Financial Services, London) and became a Fellow status in 2002. After a flourishing career in the Nigerian banking sector where he rose to the level of an Assistant General Manager in Triumph Bank Plc in 1997, he worked with Elizade Toyota Nigeria Limited as the General Manager Finance and logistics. Alayelua worked with Chevy Chase Bank Mclean, VA, USA as a Financial Planning Analyst (FPA) in 1998-2001 and later joined Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, McLean, VA as a Professional Financial Analyst until his retirement in March 2011. As Kabiyesi excelled in the professional calling, he remained a dedicated Christian. Oba Pastor Michael Fabunmi became born again in January 1989, commissioned as a worker in RCCG in 1996, ordained a local minister in 2002 at RCCG Victory Temple, Alexandra and ordained a Deacon RCCG Worldwide in 2004. He assumed full time Pastor of RCCG Amazing Grace Sanctuary Stafford, VA in March 2011. Apparently, whatever His Royal Majesty Oba Pastor Fabunmi gets involved with, he throws himself completely into which often result to bountiful harvest. Since his encounter with Christ he gets committed by the day and the influence is positively felt around him. The implication of this is that Kabiyesi has joined the league of Yoruba Obas who built Christian Chapel in the Palace. As a matter of fact the adopted motto of Oba Fabunmi Onarinla IV is as for me and my community; we will serve the Lord Joshua 24:15

Monarchs who spend personal resources on communal projects constitute a blessing to their communities. This is what Kabiyesi Oba Pastor M. F. Fabunmi represents. He is ready to go extra miles all for the good of his community. His love for the community is exemplary which he has exhibited long before he became king. A palatial house he has built over 15 years ago still stands out in the community and in the absence of an official palace; the building is suitable for his royal use. Meanwhile Kabiyesi is determined to build a befitting new palace for Onifisin of Ifisin- Ekiti that will serve future generations. Whoever has not seen a visionary monarch, the person has not met Oba Pastor M. F. Fabunmi. This kind of monarch would always be the rallying point for his community and the least the elites of the town is to reciprocate this gesture to get as many indigenes as possible from the Diaspora to come home and contribute their quota. Oba Fabunmi married his adorable and complementary wife in December 1980 and the royal family had been blessed with two princes, two princesses, two grand-princes and one grand-princess. May the joy of the royal family continue to increase in Jesus name. Amen.

I congratulate Ifisin for identifying a diligent and God fearing Oba. It is Lord’s doing indeed. Kabiyesi Alayelua, K’ade pe l’ori, Ki bata pe l’ese, Igba Odun, odun kan, Irukere a di okinini, Amin Ase.