26/08/2025
Awalanibadan t'ofi de ogbomoso
... History behind the phrase
Ibadan rise as prominent/dominant Yorùbá state symbolized the fragmentation of Oyo's influence, initially a war camp shifted the balance of power
Balogun Ibikunle was a prominent figure in Yorùbá history known
for his contributions to the Yoruba resistance against Fulani Jihadist and British colonial rule. His history is a case of resilience, bravery, and love for the Yorùbá kingdom
Amongst many warriors from Ogbomoso axis (Ogbomoso, Ibolo, Ekun Otun and Osi) that camped in Ibadan, Balogun Ibikunle arguably the most skillful and powerful amongst them, Ibikunle Iloko Omo Arelu Alágbàlá Jáyàjáyà baba Akintólá was prominent son of Ijado; his father was Ijado prince, warrior and goldsmither his mother Aina is a princess to then Soun of Ogbomoso, Soun Jogioro. Jogioro gave his daughter hand to marry to compensate his (Ijado) contribution to the war camp and warriors in Ogbomoso not for their contributions to war alone but with their adequate support in providing special arrow (Ofà ère). Ijado warriors was popular with their style and skills of using sword and arrow, it is generally believe then in Ogbomoso that anyone who want to have encounter with any Ijado people the exclamation from people will be "Èèwò aotise awon arájàdó omo olofa ina si" (Forbidden how are we going to ignore Ijado people, those with fire arrow) "History of Ogbomoso by ND Oyerinde"
Balogun Ibikunle gallantly fought against Fulani and British rule, he spearheaded several battles against British forces. One such occasion was when the British, led by Captain Bower, wanted to take Osogbo in 1840; Ibikunle and his warriors fought and defended the town
One thing that special about Ibikunle was that whenever Ibadan ready for any battle, Ibikunle as the war head (Balogun) will first went to his grandmother family compound (Ile-Onibon), Ogbomoso without informing the camp "secret movement" to do some sacrifice, whenever he backed to Ibadan and warriors complain he will reply them jokingly "Awalan'badan t'ofi dogbomoso". The phrase later common among Ibadan warriors, to the extent that they do throw funny banters with Ibikunle's two power sons (Akintola and Iyapo) later Balogun Akintola and Seriki Iyapo with the phrase whenever they are in battle field with their drummers "Kiniun onibudo!"
Alabi Quadri Adetunji
Write from Ijado, the Vill of warriors
References: History of Yorùbá by Rev. Samuel Johnson.
History of Ogbomoso by ND Oyerinde.
History of Ibadan
History of Ijado
Photo credit: Soun of Ogbomoso
PS: The picture is of HIM Oba Ghandi Orumogege, Soun of Ogbomosoland and HIM Oba Adewolu Ladoja, Olubadan of Ibadanland
Ogbomoso Mirror
Ogbomoso Insight.
Credit photo added by Prince KB Lawal, Ijado Royal Dynasty Alarotan.
Quadri Adetunji Alabi
