Our History
Iyin-Ekiti (pronounced as Uyin in the local dialect, meaning PRAISE) is a prominent town in Ekiti State and the headquarters of the Araromi Local Council Development Authority. It is bounded on the eastern side by Ado Ekiti, the state capital; on the western side by Igede Ekiti, the Headquarters of Irepodun/ifelodun local Government; on the southern side by Ilawe Ekiti, the headquarters of Ekiti West Local Government and on the northern side by Awo Ekiti, another town in Irepodun/ifelodun local Government.
Like many other Yoruba towns, oral history pinpoints Ile-Ife as the origin of Iyin-Ekiti. The people, now known as Iyin, were led out from Ori Eguru in Ile-Ife during the dispersal of people from the cradle of the Yoruba race by a prince named Oluda, who became the first Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti.
Despite the many wars that ravaged Yorubaland, the people of Iyin-Ekiti, like many others, faced the challenge of living in fragmented settlements. However, their unwavering resilience and determination to overcome this obstacle is truly inspiring.
During the reigns of Oluyin Dada, Oluyin Oketagidigidi and Oluyin Ajakaiye 1, there were attempts to bring the people of Iyin-Ekiti together in a central location. The first of these attempts was led by Iyin Indigenes, who returned from Ibadan after the war. The prominent ones were Isaac Famuboni (later Babamuboni), Disu Agbogunleye, etc. In contrast, these attempts did not precisely succeed at bringing all Iyin people together in one location; by the 1940s, the many hamlets had coalesced into four distinct settlements, namely Iro (meaning 'peaceful settlement '), Ibedoyin (meaning 'a place of honor '), Oketoro (meaning 'a place of refuge ') and Okelawe (meaning 'a place of wealth '). These four settlements make up four quarters of Iyin Ekiti today.
In 1949, 7 Iyin Indigenes who were teachers and students at Christ's School Ado Ekiti were inspired by the speech given by the new British Development Officer for Ekiti, Mr T.H Bedson, on his successful efforts at bringing specific communities together in Ekiti. Noting the relevance of the speech to the age-long efforts to bring their community together, the 7 Indigenes approached Mr Bedson for guidance and assistance. The seven Indigenes, namely Chief C.A. Olosunde, Mr R.A. Fayose, Mr Frederick Popoola, Mr Akintoye Ariyo, Mr Charles Aderiye, Chief Abiodun Ogundele, and Chief Obafemi Olofin, all of the blessed memory, were the foundation members of Iyin Unification Committee, a group dedicated to fostering unity and cooperation among the people of Iyin-Ekiti.
After several meetings between the Unification Committee and Oluyin Owolabi 1, the unity and cooperation among the Iyin people became evident. The approval of the migration to a central location and the selfless act of Oketoro and Okelawe quarters in surrendering their lands without compensation truly fostered a profound sense of community and togetherness.
On May 10th 1950, the agreement paper between the four settlements was signed under the supervision of the British Development Officer for Ekiti, Mr Thomas H. Bedson. Over a month after this agreement was signed, on June 19th 1950, the first clearing was done on the site. Chief J.A. Ogbeide, a wealthy Iyin Indigene living in Ilorin, donated 100 cutlasses, diggers, and spades to aid the project. Immediately after the clearing, under the supervision of Mr. Bedson and the local town planning committee led by Chief I. Adeyemi, who was the then Aro of Oketoro, residential houses began to spring up. On June 24th 1951, a year after the clearing, High Chief J. Olubobokun, the Odofin of Okelawe, completed his residential building and moved in, making history as the first person to move to the new site.
Today, Iyin Ekiti has produced many eminent personalities. Most notably, the late Major General Robert Adeyinka Adebayo (Rtd.) served as Military Governor of the defunct Western Region. Other notable personalities include Late Professor Yinka Adeyemi, the First Nigerian Professor of Architecture; Late Chief Hector Omooba, the first indigenous Commander of Nigeria Police Mobile Force; Late Oba John Ademola Ajakaiye, the first Chief Judge of Ekiti State, former Administrator of Nigeria Judicial Institute and the immediate past Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti. In the political terrain, the first civilian Governor of Ekiti State and a former minister of Trade, Industry and Investment, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, is from the community. So is the current Senate Leader of the 10th Assembly, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele; a former minister of Aviation, Engr Omotoba; a former Nigerian Ambassador to the Netherlands, Dr. Eniola Ajayi. The community has produced professors, Doctors, Top Military Officers, Ambassadors, Commissioners and Captains of Industries.
Iyin Ekiti has tourist attractions, including Esa Cave and Abanijorin Mountain.
