BRIEF HISTORY OF IDERE
Idere is one of the seven principal towns in Ibarapa area of Oyo State. It is an ancient and legendary town in Yoruba Land, SouthWest, Nigeria. An Oyo prince named Oshinkola, born in Oyo-Ajaka/Igboho by Aye who is also the mother of Alaafin Ajiboyede possibly fathered by Alaafin Ofinran left Oyo Ajaka (Igboho) as an Oba (King) in search of a domain to settle in company of their mystical mother called AYE having lost the throne (Alaafin) to Ajiboyede his elder brother probably due to his very young age in the mid 16th century, speculatively 1562. He settled at Ibona while still on the look out for the ordained location, his son Oba Olunlade took over the throne after his demise.
The third, Oba Oyewole moved from Ibona to Igbole Oko Oba where Oba Ogbonnu was installed. They settled temporarily at Adoja where a war was fought and won and then a stop over at Igbooje so named because the Queens bronze bracelet was lost there and had to be found. From Igbooje to IdiAye area. Between Igbole oko Oba and Idi-Aye area, Oba Olubioku reigned and also Oba Olunloye who eventually moved the community to Idere Hills and environment after the death of the mystical Aye who lived for generations and turned to a stone at Idi-Aye which is being worshipped today. Oba Akinoso was installed and reigned on the Idere Hills. It was Oba Olufiji that brought his people to the present site. Eight Obas (Kings) have ruled at the present site before the incumbent - Oba Kingsley Onikola Oyelami (Olufiji II) who ascended the throne in year 2000 - till date. May his reign continue to be peaceful and prosperous.
Idere is divided into four quarters namely Oke Oba, Apa, Onigbio and Koso. There are about seventy two clans under these four(4) quarters. Also there are smaller towns/villages under the prescribed authority of the Onidere of Idere Land - Adanatu, Afua, Bakasa, Tobalogbo, Oba, Igbole Oko-Oba etc. There are seven kingmakers (Afobajes ) a replica of the Oyo mesi, Other traditional chiefs and small towns/villages heads that make up the Idere Traditional council.
The famed Eleko Idere of Irosun meji in Ifa panegyrics was an indigene of Idere Land, the spot where she used to sell her pap is being considered for tourism.
Idere is Sorrounded by hills and blessed with Agricultural lands. Her people are unique, they live for what they believe, they are resilient, industrious, truthful, honest and also accommodating. Multiple births are common among indigenes of Idere origin. Almost every house has at least a twin. Some of this multiple births deliveries are conducted at the nearest General hospital at Igboora being local authority headquarters, most of the multiple births within the community are recorded in Igboora.
THE NAME 'IDERE'
There are two schools of thought on the derivation of the name - IDERE. (1) There used to be big snakes (pythons) in the forest area now called Idere in those days. Hunters used to pack and bind these big snakes (pythons) for easy carriage at a spot called Idere - Where we pack and bind the pythons (Ibi idi ere shortened as Idere). (2) Where they used to make good and strong amulets - Ibi ide rere shortened as Idere hence the cognomen in those days, "Idere mo `de, Osogbo Oroki, Iseyin oro omo ebedi moko."
LIST OF PAST AND PRESENT ONIDERES OF IDERE
1. Oba Osikola (from Oyo Ajaka - to Ibona)
2. Oba Olunlade (Oba at Ibona)
3. Oba Oyewole (from Ibona to Igbole Oko-Oba)
4. Oba Ogbonnu (Igbole Oko Oba)
5. Oba Olubioku.
6. Oba Olunloye I (moved his people to Idere hills)
7. Oba Akinoso (Oba panpan lori esin) - reigned on Idere hills.
8. Oba Olufiji (brought us to the present site)
9. Oba Oyepami Ajagbe.
10. Oba Teeye
11. Oba Ojo
12. Oba Bangboye Atanda
13. Oba Olaleye Akanni Ala 18? - 1942
14. Oba Oyerogba Akande Ija (Jan 1943 - April 1956)
15. Oba Akintaro Akande 1959 -1973
16. Oba Amos Eniola Olawore Olunloye II 1976 - 1998
17. Oba Kingsley Onikola Oyelami (Olufiji II) 2000 - till date.
IDERE ECONOMY
The economic mainstay of Idere remains largely farming; there is a preponderance of food crops farmers than cash crop farmers in the town. The presence of notable farmers' markets such as Oja Oba, Ayeda, Kajola, Oja Titi has provided market for those crops produced by the farmers, thereby boosting the earning of those farmers.
Idere also boasts of salaried workers consisting mostly of teachers and local government workers. The presence of two notable hotels- Femadex Hotel and De-link Hotel- gives credence to the growing service industry in the town. Idere is aggressively growing its hospitality industry judging from recent publicity given to the Idere Hills that enveloped the town. The town experienced a large turn-out of people from all over Nigeria in December 2019 who came to witness the wonders of nature that characterized the Idere Hills. With the growing publicity being accorded the Idere Hills and interests shown by teaming investors both within and outside the country, Idere is poised to become the hospitality hub of Oyo State and Nigeria at large in the foreseeable future.
Idere prides herself in the entrepreneurial drive of her people, the large arable land that are ubiquitous across all the four corners of the town, and proximity to large cities like Abeokuta, Ibadan, and Lagos. Considering the foregoing, the town is very open to business and ready to welcome interested investors who are ready to take the plunge and exploit all the opportunities that are abound in the town. However, being a predominantly agricultural based town; Idere has two cassava processing enterprises into Gari, cassava flour and cassava starch. Also, the town has a quarry industry as well as sawmill enterprise.
SCHOOLS IN IDERE
These are the existing public and private for both Secondary and Primary schools in Idere.
PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN IDERE
1. Ayelogun Grammar school, Idere.
2. Okedere High school, Idere.
3. Oyo State School of science, Idere .
PUBLIC PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN IDERE
1. Baptist Primary school, Idere.
2. Methodist Primary school, Idere.
3. Islamic school 1, Idere.
4. Islamic school 2, Idere.
5. United Primary school, Idere.
PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN IDERE
1. His Grace High school, Idere.
2. Amazing Grace High Schools, Idere.
PRIVATE PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN IDERE
1. His Grace Nursery & Primary school, Idere.
2. Amazing Grace Nursery & Primary school, Idere.
3.Temitope Nursery & Primary school, Idere.
4. Glorious Nursery & Primary school, Idere.
5. Mercy Nursery & Primary school, Idere.
6. Achiever Nursery & Primary school, Idere.
7. Joak Nursery & Primary school, Idere.
8. King Seed Academy Nursery & Primary school, Idere.
9. New Era Nursery & Primary school, Idere.
10. Al- Hikimah Nursery & Primary school, Idere.
Excluding those in the villages.
ENTERTAINMENT
Entertainment in the world today is what can be said to be one of the biggest industries, entertainment is wide in scope, but what comes to mind when one hears entertainment is music, movie, comedy etc.
In Idere today, there are many fast-rising and young talented upcoming artistes who are doing wonderfully well in music, movies production, comedy etc. This important phenomenon informs the decision of different organisations and foundations to launch talent hunt initiatives with a view to promoting God-given talents in the teeming youths of the community.
There is another ancient style of entertainment that is worthy of note, called Gelede. It is peculiar to the people of Idere and some other parts of South Western Nigeria. This indigenous style of entertainment is usually practised by both the old and the young; and it involves climbing a house to pass their information across at night.
One of the most interesting features of Gelede is that the fear of those who practise it is the beginning of wisdom. As a matter of fact, they are best described as investigative journalists. No one, no matter how highly placed, would perpetrate a bad deed and get away with it. They would reveal whatever one thinks one has done secretly. Their information is always accurate and they are widely respected for this. Their songs are usually accompanied with sorts of traditional musical instruments, including talking drums.
Gelede entertainment takes place during the burial of one of the entertainers. It also takes place during annual Gelede Festivals or coronation.
Bellow is the highlight of fast rising artistes in Idere and their stage names:
Hip-hop
1. Okeyale Siji (Sijiano)
2. Ojebisi Afeez (Maxibright)
3. Adekunle Toheeb (Theonest) etc.
Fuji artistes
1. Okeowo Wasiu (Surprise)
2. Adejumo Dele (Dele Portugal)
3. Ogunniyi Muyiwa (Jo mummy)
4. Ayanwunmi Olaoluwa (Ciroma) etc...
COMEDIANS
1. Olawoore Olumide (Geodesy)
2. Sulymon Sherifdeen (Sanserifstyle)
GOSPEL ARTISTES
1. Sangorinde Taiwo (Alabi yellow)
2. Oladokun Omobake (Dvessel)
3. Funmilola (Ogomide)
4. Adegoke Seun (Omo emi) etc.
MEDIA
Media, on the other hand, is another industry that is as powerful as anything.
There are many sons and daughters of Idere that are doing exceptionally well in the media world. The emergence of Idere Update, an online news platform that is being operated by a young industrious indigene of the town, Hassan Olaoniye, gives credence to the exposure of the people of the community in the media.
Moreover, Idere has produced great broadcasters, writers and revered journalists that have distinguished themselves in the field of journalism. These notable broadcasters include: Boluwaji Ogunyemi of Petals FM, Adejare Amuda of Impact Business (IB
BR 92.5fm/IATV), Boyede Oyelami of Bond FM Lagos, Sunkanmi Amuda of Sobi FM Ilorin, Seleem Salawu of FMMBMania Media, etc.