Ajowa Akoko

Last updated
Ajowa-Akoko
Ajowa
Town
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Ajowa-Akoko
Location in Nigeria
Coordinates: 7°41′05″N5°54′28″E / 7.684819°N 5.907643°E / 7.684819; 5.907643
Country Nigeria
State Ondo State
Local Government Area Akoko North West
Government
  Chairman, Council of ObasThe Elefifa of Efifa Oba Benson Ayodele Adebiy
Population
  Total
60,000+
Time zone UTC+1 (WAT)

Ajowa-Akoko is a town located in Akoko North West Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria. It is known for its governance structure involving eight autonomous kings and is considered a boundary town between Ondo and Kogi States. The town has been in peaceful coexistence considering its setup, was officially established in 1955. Ajowa has a rich cultural heritage and significant educational institutions.

Contents

History

Ajowa-Akoko originated as an amalgamation of eight independent communities: Uro, Efifa, Ora, Ojo, Iludotun, Ibaram, Daja, and Esuku. The union was facilitated by P. A. R. A. Olusa, a regional representative at the Ibadan Conference in 1954, to unify smaller villages for enhanced development and representation before the then Western Region government. [1]

The town's name, "Ajowa," translates to "We Come Together" in Yoruba, reflecting the consensus-driven establishment. Despite their unity, each community retains its traditional ruler, cultural practices, and original land holdings. [2]

Governance

Ajowa-Akoko operates a confederal system, where the eight communities are ruled by their respective kings:

The kings govern their individual domains autonomously while collaborating on issues affecting the entire town.

Educational institutions

Ajowa-Akoko is home to numerous educational institutions, including the FESTMED College of Education, Ajowa-Akoko, which offers various programs in education. [3] Public and private primary and secondary schools serve the town's population.

Prominent residents

Ajowa-Akoko has produced notable individuals, including:

Challenges

The town has faced security challenges, including incidents of kidnapping along major roads and within the community. For example, in 2022, a monarch from Oso-Ajowa was abducted and later released after a ransom was reportedly paid. [4] Efforts are ongoing to improve safety in the area.

Culture and unity

Despite challenges, Ajowa-Akoko residents celebrate their diverse traditions while fostering a spirit of peace, love, and progress. [2] The young people are united by organizations such as National Union of Ajowa Students (NUAS), Ajowa Progressive Youth Network (APYN). The kings are in a council of Obas headed currently by The Elefifa of Efifa Oba Benson Ayodele Adebiyi, Preceded by Oba Kayode Olusa of Iludotun

References

  1. 1 2 "Ajowa-Akoko: Town with 8 Kings". Western Post. February 23, 2015.
  2. 1 2 "Ajowa: We Came Together". The Guardian Nigeria. March 3, 2016.
  3. "FESTMED College of Education, Ajowa-Akoko". MySchool.ng.
  4. "Kidnappers release Ondo monarch after collecting N10 million". Premium Times. December 8, 2022.