At the just concluded 2024 Ojude Oba Festival, in Ijebu-Ode, prominent families trooped out to celebrate at the event. They came in large numbers. Some of them took active part in the ceremony. The Balogun & Eleshin families displayed their horse-riding skills, all in honour of the Awujale & paramount ruler of Ijebu-land, Oba Sikiru Adetona. 25 of them took part

They are the Eleshin Ojosipe family, Agbojo family Oyewole Adesoye family, Eleshin Anibi Family, Eleshin Erinjogunola family, Eleshin Oshobe family, Yaya Olufowobi family, Eleshin Iboriaran (Moyegeso) family, Eleshin Josi Family, Eleshin Keregbetu family, Eleshin Gamugasa family, Eleshin Odidi family, Eleshin Omo Ajibike family, Eleshin Aregbesola family, Eleshin Oreagba family, Eleshin Seriki family, Balogun Otubu family, Balogun Kuku family, Balogun Odejayi family, Balogun Saromi family, Balogun Alatishe family, Balogun Odunuga family, Balogun Shoye family (Osi Balogun) Otun Balogun Shote family, Family and Balogun Alausa family.

At the Ojude Oba Festival, Chief Agboola Alausa, the Balogun of Ijebu Ode is always in attendance, along with Chief Alade Shote, the Otun Balogun of Ijebuland. This year Otunba Adegboyega Adesoye was there also. He is the Osi Balogun. Giwa (Chief) M.A Oreagba is the Mayegun of Ijebu & Secretary, Ijebu Regberegbe Council. He is from the illustrious Oreagba family. Late Chief (Barr) Wahab Osinusi, the former Otunba Fidipote of Ijebu is from the popular Osinusi family in Ijebu-Ode, where late Chief Bode Oshinusi comes from. There is also the Osibogun family where Giwa Deji Osibogun is from, Chief (Mrs.) Bisi Osibogun (Omeso of Ijebu Ode) is married into the family. She is the Iyalode of Ijebuland.

The Okunowo family is also popular in Ijebu Ode. Late Chief Okunowo was known as Baba Oni Damask. His son, Chief Chris Okunowo is the Bobasuwa  of Ijebu.

The Okenla family is also very popular. Chief Abimbola Okenla is from that family. Chief Okenla is the Kakanfo belonging to the Pampa Class of Chiefs.

There is also the Anikilaya, Tunwase, Ogbagba, Gbelegbuwa families. Let’s tell you about the Aberuagba, Sanni, Osifeso, Adesoye, Mosuro, Fetuga, and Fusigboye. The late Otunba Subomi Balogun was also a proud Ijebu son, from the Tunwase ruling house. He has 4 Sons who are doing well.

Otunba Balogun was the immediate past  Olori Omo-Oba Akile Ijebu. His grandfather was once an Awujale, Adesimbo Tunwase who became Awujale in 1886. K1 the Ultimate has taken over his title.

There are other big names, which are quite synonymous with the development of the city. These are big family names such as the  Baloguns, Kukus, Osiboguns, Osinusis, Foworas, Oduntans, Alebiosus, the Ajayis, the Adenugas,  the Adebanjos, Osobas, Adedejis,  Okunobis, Adesanyas and the Onanugas, to mention but a few.

His Royal Majesty, Oba Sikiru Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebu, has brought his family name to the limelight since he ascended the throne. His family is from the Ogbagba ruling house.

There are the Kukus too. Their ancestor, the late Balogun Odueyingbo Bello Kuku was the 2nd Balogun General of Ijebuland. He was like Prince Chaka the Zulu of South Africa. His military prowess had no equal. His political achievements, administrative competence and social radiance when summed together resulted in what made him a colossus both in life and in death. His generation includes the late Laitan Kuku, a native court judge, the late M.A. Kuku, the first black Accountant General of Nigeria Port Authority the late Chief S.B. Kuku.

It also includes the late legal luminary and distinguished businessman, Chief Bayo Kuku, who was the Ogbeni Oja of Ijebuland, the eminent accomplished Architect Chief Afolabi Kuku, the distinguished intellectual Medical Physician, Dr Sonny Kuku of Eko Hospital who is now the new Ogbeni Oja.. There is the renowned Mathematician (K formula), Professor Aderemi Oluyomi Kuku. They have all blaze the trail in making the Kuku family name live in the consciousness of both the old and young alike.

And there is the Odutolas. The 2 brothers, Timothy and Jimoh were the first well-known Ijebus in the industrial sector. They were the aristocratic family of Ijebu. They were ubiquitous when you talk of, produce buying, gold mining, motor transport coupled with the idea of a weaving industry, Odutola Tyre Sole, Odutola Biscuit, Continental Brewery, Crown Products Limited (now Beta Crown Division) Odutola Foam etc. Currently, one of their children is Professor Olurin, the famous Ophthalmologist.

How about the Ashirus? family members of the Saka Ashiru are quite known for their achievements in the field of academics. Many of them are Professors. Prof. Oladipo Ashiru The first professor to work on Test tube Baby is a member of this family. Both their men and women are considered great academics. It is one family that has the largest number of graduates in various disciplines from Medicine, Law to Accounting etc. They have served as Commissioners, Managing Directors. Quite popular among them are: Prof. (Mrs.) Adenike M.O. Osoba, the late Ambassador A. Ashiru, the late Otunba Muyiwa Ashiru (Lawyer), Otunba Bimbo Ashiru who is the Chairman of Oodua Group. There is also his brother, Prof. Toyin Ashiru, who is the Pro-Chancellor of OOU in Ago-Iwoye.

The Adesoyes are also popular. They have done well in Transport, Trading and Commerce. The family is also known as prominent Horse Riders (Balogun of Ijebuland). Today, several children and grandchildren from this family have excelled in so many fields of human endeavour. Among them is Otunba Gboyega Adesoye (Tekulum). There is also Otunba Tunji Adesoye (Otunba Tunaiyese), a retired Federal Government Permanent Secretary.

Add that to the Mosuros. They have produced great men and women whose contributions in government and social enterprise are so numerous to mention. Popular among them are: Otunba (Dr.) Mosuro (Mase of Ijebuland), Kolade Mosuro, Bookseller at Ibadan, and others.

The Adedejis too are popular. They have brought global recognition and fame to Ijebuland. Prominent members are the Asiwaju of Ijebuland (Professor Adebayo Adedeji). Mr Kunle Adedeji, the Architect, has been making waves in architectural designs both in Nigeria and Overseas.

There is also the Otubus., the Warlords, whose generations can boast of several businessmen, Lawyers, and Managers. They are also prominent in religion.

And then the Owodunnis. In Ijebu-Ode, the family is noted for their giant strides, especially in Law. They are one of the Ijebu Lawyers who blazed the trail. Many of their sons and daughters are popular Lawyers. The family has produced more than 20 Lawyers and more are yet to finish their programmes. Among them is Alhaji M.O. Owodunni.

How about the Ayanbadejos? The family is quite popular. They are certainly large and influential enough. They are also into trading and commerce. They are also a very industrious family to be considered in terms of their wealth and spread. They are also noted for their academic exploits.

The Teriba family is also very popular and domineering in several fields of life. They have also achieved so much that many of them have served in both the state and federal governments. They are also a household name in most states in America where they work as Medical Doctors, Computer Scientists etc. They are from Odo-Egbo Quarters.

There are also the Alatishes They have men of valour, who occupy various prominent positions. Great among them are: Otunba Adegboyega Alatishe, a businessman and his brother the Gbegande of Ososa, Oba, Toye Alatishe. There is also Chief (Mrs.) Hirat Balogun.

The Adesanya family is also popular and widely spread across Ijebu quarters. They have come of age and are popular too. The Gbelegbuwa Ruling House has great men and women, so also does the Adesanya (Olisa of Ijebu-Ode) have prominent, educated and accomplished Ijebu personalities, among them is Prof. Adesanya (SAN).

How about the Ashiru Baloguns? They are also a prominent family that has performed well in their various fields. Among them is late Otunba Subomi Balogun, whose name rings a bell in the banking industry, Dr Yinka Ashiru Balogun, a Medical Director of Jones Specialist Clinic.

The Fetugas are also known for industry and success on the political scene of Ijebu. They have Medical Doctors, Engineers and Academicians. Among them is Prof. Fetuga (Scientist).

Many members of the Otubushins family are wealthy and educated. Without exaggeration, the Otubushins are the largest family in Ijebu-Ode. The current flag bearer in the family is Pacific Printer man Prince Otubushin.

The Olusogas are found in all fields of human endeavour e.g Engineering, Medicine and others. The first Ijebu Medical Doctor in 1929 came from the family.

The Odumosus, pioneered Christianity in Ijebuland, owned the first printing press, opened, the first trading shop and published the first literary work to educate and enlighten the people. Many of them are technocrats, Lawyers and Administrators. Popular among the members of this family is Justice Odumosu, Chief Kayode Odumosu (Kayways).

There is also the Adenuga family. The matriarch of the family before she died was Otunba Mike Adenuga’s mum. She is related to the Awujale of Ijebuland. How about the Sote family? It is also a big family just like that of the Adebowale family of the Medicine Store fame.

Another big name is that of the Foworas made popular by Ambassador Fowora and Otunba Fowora. Their kids, Femi Fowora, Deola Adewunmi and Segun Fowora have further sent the family’s name soaring.

How about the Koiki family? It is a big name. Recall that Juju maestro, Ebenezer Obey, praise-sang one of them in the ’70s. Koiki Omo Oloye, he called him.

Have you heard about the Ogutuga family? They own DB Wine and they are related to the Sangowas.

There is also the Osikoya family of Fisko and Ogroma fame. And, of course, the Onanugas. Quite well known is Otunba Biodun Onanuga, Giwa Egbe Bobakeye Akile Ijebu and Bayo Onanuga the Special Adviser to President Tinubu. There is also Laide Onanuga. There is also Bode Onanuga and Kolade Onanuga. the Fuji maestro.

Equally popular is the Alausa family, made popular by Agboola Alausa, the Otun Balogun of Ijebuland.

So also is the Onabanjo family. That is the family of the former Ogun State Governor, Chief Bisi Onabanjo, of the Ayekooto fame.

Add them to the Ogunusi family which has produced the Tastee Fried Chicken owner, Mrs Adedayo and the Ijako-Ijaiye LG boss. He is a Chartered Accountant.

There is also the Arowolo family. One of them is Engineer Arowolo, the builder.

Then the Fetugas, Oluwobis Oreagbas Aromolati, Mamoras, Mabogunje, which have produced many professors, and the Odufuwas. From the Odufuwa comes Engr. Tunde Odufuwa of Lagos City Computer. There are also the Jejes, the Ibirogbas, Otubushis and the Bakares.

From the Jeje family is the former Ogun Housing Commissioner, and from the Ibirogbas come the former Ogun Information Commissioner. Many don’t know that Chief Stephen Bakare of Oluwalogbon fame has an Ijebu pedigree.

There is the Aranmolate family. They are popular and famous. Several children from the family have excelled in so many fields of human endeavours. Among them is Dr Aranmolate a Surgeon.

There is the Arigbabus. They are well known for Trading and Commerce. They are popular and ubiquitous across the length and breadth of the globe. Among them is a Neurosurgeon, Prof. Arigbabu of the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital.

The Ajayi Jegede family is from Itantebo Quarters, among them are the late Chief G.O.K Ajayi (SAN); Otunba Funsho Ajayi (a retired major and the late Otunba Femi Ajayi).

The Oduwoles are prominent and upcoming business people and academicians. They are from Porogun quarters, among them is General Oduwole.