Ikorodu: 'Ilu kekere oko ilu bantata' Master of a town, a small town that is a boss of big towns. Originally, the name "Ikorodu" was derived from the two word OKO-ODU Meaning the farm (OKO) of (ODU) a kind of plant. The word ODU means something that blackens, and since it was discovered that the plant had blacking power and it was in effect used in dyeing cloth- the name ODU was applied to it. It's significant to note that the trade of Ikorodu early women was cloth dyeing, which followed from the discovery of the dyeing power of ODU plant.
A traditional settlement of the Awori people (a subgroup of the Yoruba), it became important in the mid-19th century as a trading post of the Remo (Ijebu-Remo) kingdom on the trade route from Lagos to Ibadan. During the Ibadan-Ijaiye wars (1860–65), the Ikorodu traders, encouraged by both Ibadan and Lagos, decided to break from their Ijebu overlords and smuggled arms across the Ijebu-Egba blockade to Ibadan (58 miles [93 km] north-northeast). In 1865, when the Egba decided to punish Ikorodu, British forces from Lagos intervened and decisively defeated the Egba army in a battle at Ikorodu.
The area in question - initially a massive forest that lies on a few kilometers North of the Lagos Lagoon and less than 10 kilometers North of the Atlantic Ocean was once a walled City. By itself, Ikorodu was bounded in the East by both sides of Ota-Ona, Awolowo Road, including Ojoru and Agbele up to Itamaja. On the west side are Aiyeluja, both sides of Ayangbure road up till Oke-Oriya extending to Solomade, Etunrenren, Lowa and Olori and both sides of Lagos Road up to Owutu junction. Extension to the North covers both sides of Sagamu Road up to Sawmill and beyond to Odogunyan. Southwards covers Gbasemo in Aga linking up with Ipakorodo-Igbogbo road up to Owode, Oriwu road and Solafun (in Ijomu ward).
The area was first used by the sons of (King) Akarigbo Koyelu of Orile Offin, Orisa Gaomu (Sagamu). One of the son of Oduduwa from Ile Ife Olusoga (Oga), Lasunwon, Rademo, Anoko, Osonusi, Oladepo and Sekumade. These were the children of Akarigbo who used the extended area for hunting and farming. Because vegetation of the area was predominanlty ODU plant, hence they referred to the area as the farm of ODU meaning OKO-ODU which was by Remo accent called OKORODU. By long careless usage, it is now called IKORODU.
The children first settled at Agbele-Ikoro (Agbole), present site of NITEL which they traveled back and forth to OKO-ODU for farming and hunting. But, it was soon found to be a awkward to go hunting and return from the forest, to start another journey to the farm OKO-ODU.
The family took counsel together and decided that there was no special reason why they should confine themselves to Agbole and do farming at OKO-ODU. and so, to his farm OKO-ODU, Oga and family moved. They settled permanently.
The village continue to grow because it was a junction market place for Ijebu-Ode, Sagamu, Epe and other places. Oga, grew in statue and social relations, so much that the people of the village decided to make him the Oloja of OKO-ODU.
Both Oga and Lasunwon were warriors, who were always organizing any and every defense of the place and ensuring good administration of OKO-ODU. Thus, when Oga the elder son was made the Oloja, Lasunwon his brother was crowned the Odofin of OKO-ODU.
The title of Oloja is usually conferred on an elder who lives in a market-junction frequented by neighboring village traders. Equivalent of Market Superintendent or 'Market Master'.
Soon after, some large contingents of Benin migrants came by land through Iki in Ogun State (where almost the whole land belongs to the Olisa family of Ikorodu). This group of Benin people was led by a wealthy and powerful man called Eregbouwa (now called Rebugbawa in Ikorodu) from the ancient royal family of Oliha of Benin City. In Benin language Ere means King and Uwa means peace and prosperity.
The Benin people settled down amicably with the children of Akarigbo and the farm started to grow into a large establishment. This was about 1630. The institution of Obaships was conceded to the line of Akarigbo while the Olisaship was conceded to the Benin settlers.
In effect the Oba became the reigning monarch while Olisa became the King maker and the Prime Minister of the City State. Prior to the advent of the Benin people, Oga was the head of the settlement. When Oga died, Lasunwon was installed the first Oloja of Ikorodu by Olisa Rebugbawa (the first Olisa of Ikorodu).
Therefore, Lasunwon and Eregbouwa Rebugbawa were the first Oloja (OBA) and the first Olisa of Ikorodu respectively.
Today we have 2 Ruling houses of Obas 3 Ruling houses of Olisa
Lasunwon and Rademo ruling house
Rebugbawa (Eregbouwa)
Lapele (actually Lagele in Benin)
Kamoju Olowoto
Traditionally, Ikorudu is divided broadly into 3 for ease of representative democracy IJOMU, AGA & ISELE which are represented in OSUGBO - the highest administrative office in the town headed by Olisa as Chairman of IWAREFA while (OLUWO is the administrative head)
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