Igbo-Ora

Igbo-Ora is a town in Oyo State, south-western Nigeria, situated 80 kilometres (50 mi) north of Lagos. In 2001 the population of the town was approximately 60,000 people. The town today is the location of the newly established Oyo State College of Agriculture (since 2006). The College has contributed significantly to the socio-economic and demographic development of the town. The Oyo state government has just approved a High Court of Justice. The Federal government is also said to have approved the location of a Police Training College in the town.

Twins

The unusually large number of twin births in the region have earned the town the nickname Twin Capital of the World.

This phenomenon of a large number of twin births is not unique to Igbo-Ora; it has also been observed in the town of Kodinji in India and Cândido Godói in Brasil. In Igbo-Ora, research has suggested that the multiple births could be related to the eating habits of the women in the region.^[1] Though no direct relation between dietary intake and twin births has been proved, a research study carried out at the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital has suggested that a chemical found in Igbo-Ora women and the peelings of a widely consumed tuber (yams) could be responsible.

There is of course the possible explanation that the large number of twins being born here could simply be a matter of genetics.

Secularity

Igboora is a secular community where individuals are free to worship their religions. Islam and Christianity are the main religions but with pockets of other deities of traditional worshiping. Muslims may be slightly more than the Christians but this is yet to be supported by any known published work. The Muslims and Christians co-exist successfully with significant inter-religious marriages. 

Economy

• The main econmic activity in Igboora is farming. Obasanjo farms is one of the major mechanized farms and engages in poultry, cash crops and fishery. Subsistent agriculture and hunting is pretty predominant also. Service-based industries include two banks, the Owotutu line of businesses and NITEL sub-station. Most salaried jobs revolve around teaching, local government employment and the few private based businesses. The West-North Abeokuta-Sokoto highway, which pass through the town, serves as a potential link to economic prosperity.

Administration

Igboora is the Headquarters of Ibarapa Central Local government, comprising Igboora and Idere. Igboora has seven wards while Idere has three. The community could not benefit from the recent initiative of the Oyo State Government to create additional council administrations (LCDA), since the community voted no to such initiative during the Local Council Referendum by the Lam Adeshina administration.

Important personalities from Igbo-ora

1. Late Chief Amos Olasupo Adegoke: Late Chief O. A. Adegoke was a philanthropist and a business man. He was until his death in May 2014 the Chairman/Chief Executive of Adegoke Motors Limited, Ibadan. He founded the Adegoke Nursing and Primary School and Adegoke College, IGBOORA. He was also a devoted Christian.
2. Late Hezekiah Oludele Olapegba:He is from Igbole in IGBOORA. Late Hezekiah Oludele Olapegba (1945 - 2002) was the founding president of Federation of IGBOORA Students' Union, FISU. He attended University of Lagos and graduated in 1976 after studying Business Administration. He also obtained a master's degree from University of Ibadan in Banking and Finance in 1996. He worked with First Bank of Nigeria Plc from 1980 till he resigned voluntarily in 1998, and then joined active politics. He was a State Delegate representing Oyo State at Peoples Democratic Party's national convention in 2001. He was a Lay Reader at the African Church of Nigeria. He has been posthumously recognized for philanthropic and religious enthusiasm in his home town.
3. Late Dr. Nurudeen Olarinde:He is from Igbo-Ora. Late Alhaji Dr. Nurudeen Olarinde graduated from the University of Ife (Now Obafemi Awolowo University) in 1983. He was at different time the Oyo State Commissioner for Finance, Education and Economic Planning under different regimes, including the military. He was the chairman Nurib Petroleum Ibadan, before his demise in 2014.
4. Late Franklin Ogunwale Kareem: The late Franklin Ogunwale Kareem attended the University of Ife (Now Obafemi Awolowo University) and graduated in 1981. He promoted moral uprightness in public life and was a voice among the progressives. He died in 1997.
5. Chief Adewole Ojo: Chief Adewole Ojo is a foremost community leader in Igboora and his leadership spanned 60 years of uninterrupted political, religious and economic leadership. He is presently the chairman, Lajorun Development Association, a sectional community development movement in the town. He was once a member representing the community in the defunct national Assembly.
6. Oba Oyewole Oyerogba: Oba Oyewole Oyerogba is the paramount ruler and the Olu of Igboora-land, though with restricted and contained powers over other autonomous localities. He has ruled the hitherto unknown town since 1975.
7. Chief Saubana Muraina: A lawyer and politician. He has grown to be a philanthropist and a former member representing the community in the National House of Representative.
8. Akinyemi Akinlabi: A former student leader, past Local government chairman and a leading progressive politician. He has bases both in Igboora and Miami, Florida, USA.
9. Late Chief J.M. Olanipekun: A retired policeman of repute.The first chairman of Ibarapa local government and son of Late traditional ruler of Iberekodo in IGBOORA.
10. Dr. (Engr) Jimoh Dele Morakinyo: A senior official with the Government of Canada, and the founder of Hopecrest College, Igboora.

Traditional Rulers

Igboora is a collection of autonomous towns each with its traditional heads, but with a very porous land boundaries. The names of all the Oba & Baales in Igboora :

(1) HRM Oba Jacob Oyewole Oyerogba(JP), Ota Obala II, Olu of Igboora land. 

(2) HRH Jamiu Adedamola Badmus (JP) (JP), Ayeleso III, Olu-Aso of Iberekodo land.

(3) HRH (MSA) Joshua Olusanjo Ojo (JP), Lagbaaju IV, Baba-Aso of Igbole land.

(4) HRH (ALH) Jinadu Adekunle Fasasi (JP), Baabani IV, Onisagan - un of Sagan-un land.

(5) HRH Samuel Adewuyi Adeleye (JP), Olaribigbe IV, Onidofin of Idofin land.

(6)HRH Late Lamidi Olayide Akinyemi, Iwolafisagba III, Onipako of Pako land.

(7) HRH Oba Mosun Oladokun, The Bansa of Ilusa-ile.

Post Secondary Institution

• OYO STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY

Public

• IGBOORA High School,IGBOORA.
• Methodist Grammar School,Sagan-un, IGBOORA.
• Ogboja Grammar School, Pako,IGBOORA.
• Lajorun High School, Okesherin, IGBOORA.
• Lasogba High School, Idofin,IGBOORA.
• Igboora Grammar School, ISale Oba, IGBOORA
• Iberekodo High School, Imeleke,IGBOORA.

Private schools and colleges

• Adegoke College, Abolonko Area,IBEREKODO,IGBOORA
• Ansar-Ud-Deen Grammar School, Igboora.
• Nawair - Ud - Deen Grammar School, Igboora.
• Hopecrest College, Igboora.
• KASTAD Schools, Igboora.

References

Coordinates: 7°26′02″N 3°17′06″E / 7.434°N 3.285°E / 7.434; 3.285