OWU INDIGENES HOLD CONVENTION TO RE-ENGINEER OWUISIM
The record has it that, since the dispersal of Owu people from their homestead at Owu Ipole or Orile Owu in Osun State in the 1821-1826 pogrom levied against them by allied forces of Ijebu, Ife, Oyo and others who despised their obstinacy, bravery and repulsion against the breach of commonwealth order to stop slavery and checkmate slave traders, the people had scattered to settle in different communities of Nigeria and in Diaspora.
Penpushing further reports that, as a descendant of venerated pedigree, Oduduwa, Olowu Ajibosin, the father figure of all Owus, was the primus beneficial of the original crown granted him by Oduduwa inter vivos ahead of his cousins to whom several other crowns were devolved after the demise of the legendary Yoruba king.
The record added that Johnson recalled that the Owu war marked a definite period of Yoruba history as it was the first time gun powder and other sophisticated war weapons were used in wars in the country,in consequence, there was devastation of the Egba townships and the foundation of modern Abeokuta and Ibadan, followed which the Owu people, after escaping from their embattled city, in the like manner of the Jews wisely sought refuge in several directions of Nigeria, found new homes, settled and replicated the ancient Owu crown, thus become the largest clan in Yoruba race with inherited singular dynastic heritage – Owu crown.
Penpushing also reports that, today, there are several Owu townships and settlements in Abeokuta district of Ogun State, and besides Abeokuta where they have their paramount traditional head in Oba Olowu of Owu Kingdom, several villages in the hinterland of Abeokuta district, found by Owu people after their arrival at Abeokuta, have metamorphosed into towns and cities and now with Owu crowned kings.
The record show that,among these settlements are, Awowo, Akinale, Lapeleke, Onigbedu. Abule Owu, Papalanto. Abalabi, Arigbajo, Ejio, Onihale, Ibogun-Olaogun, Ibogun Balogun, Ibogun Oshugboye, Orile Ifo, to mention a few.
Penpushing reports that, other Owu townships as members of the Union are Owu Omu-Ijebu, Owu-Ijebu, Owu Ikija, Owu Iji, Owu Aiyepe (in Ogun State); Owu Agbowa Ikosi, Owu Epe, Owu Mushin, (in Lagos state); Orile Owu, Owu Ikire, Owu Modakeke, Owu Gbongan, Ilemo Owu, Owu Telemu, Owu Kuta, Owu-Epe-Ijesa (in Osun State): Owu Ogbere, Owu Ibadan, Owu Erunmu, Owu Ajaawa, Owu Ogbomoso, Owu Erunmu (in Oyo state) and Owu Oke-Ode, Owu Obaloyan and Owu Isin (in Kwara state).
The Royal Union of Owu people was formed in Abeokuta in 1992 at the instance of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Balogun Owu, as a follow-up to the initiative of late Chief Babatunde Akin-Olugbade, his predecessor in office to unite the people and empower them for socioeconomic sustenance.
Penpushing also reports that one of the highlights of the Aiyepe convention is the adoption of a resolution to admit all Owu Obas in any part of Nigeria who have been approved by their state governments, as members of the “Supreme Council of Owu Obas” and they are entitled to attend and participate, in their own right, in the affairs of the Royal Union of Owu People at every meeting of the union on Owu matters.
The annual meetings are hosted by each Olowu and his domain in rotation, and 2019 was the first to be held by Owu Aiyepe in Odo Olowu, Ijebu and the 2020 meeting has been slated for Owu Ijebu Igbo, also in Ogun State.
