why is all these controversy between the two kings in Epe (OLU AND OLOJA ) on who is the authentic Ruler?what do you think is the genesis of these problems?how can we solve the problems? Read the letter below and comment RE: HOW KOSOKO FOUNDED EPE OUR attention has been drawn to an interview granted Olu Epe-elect, Shefiu Adewale, and published on page 45 of your widely newspaper, the Sunday Tribune of January 10, 2010. In the said edition, the Olu Epe elect claimed that King Kosoko founded Epe in 1852. I wish to accurately assert that, King Kosoko and his team fled to Apapa and later arrived Epe in 1851 after he was dethroned and banished from Lagos by his brother, Akintoye on account a problem he encountered with him. Epe town, which was founded in 15th century by Uraka, an Ijebu man, who was also a great hunter, had been in existence before the arrival of the sojourn, King Kosoko. When Kosoko reached Epe beach, he was initially rejected and refused entry by prominent Ijebu chiefs, including their leader, in person of Oba Oloja Olumade. After a long plea by the sojourner, Oloja Olumade and his chiefs directed Kosoko to obtain a clearance from their superior, Oba Anikilaya, the then Awujale of Ijebuland at Ijebu-Ode. Upon his plea, the Awujale consequently considered and sent (Oja Ikale), a symbol of permission and caring, to Olumade, asking him to grant Kosoko and his lieutenants asylum at a place at Epe. It would interest to note that both Kosoko and his people stayed with Oloja Olumade dining and wining with him for 11 years before returning to Lagos in December 1862. Throughout his stay in Epe, King Kosoko had no pot of soup, not even a shed of his own, because he was the guest of Oba Oloja Olumade. We hereby challenged Shefiu Adewale or anybody to point out Kosoko’s compound and farm in Epe. King Kosoko in his appreciation for the cordial treatment accorded him, gave one of his daughters called Kusade to an Ijebu chief known as Idogun in Epe for marriage. Kusade gave birth to only a male christened Adenusi. Kosoko and his team, while returning to Lagos took Kusade along, leaving little Adenusi behind. Adenusi family is still multiplying in Epe till today. How then can Shefiu Adewale say that Kosoko founded Epe? Those claiming to be Eko-Epe today are either remnants, deserters or messengers to the highly respected King Kosoko, who returned to Lagos in 1862 with his genuine followers. The facts remain that the Ijebus are the bona-fide soil owners of Epe. That Ijebus are accommodating does not mean they should abandon or forget history. On his statement over Kayokayo festival, Kayokayo could be organised and staged by any Muslim sect, because it is purely an Islamic festival of Prophet Noah and must not be lumped with Obaship or regarded as own culture of any group of people. Above all, we implore the present administration in Lagos State under Governor Babatunde Fashola to please call Shefiu Odewale or Adewale to order from making provocative statements that could cause chaos. Spending many years as a civil servant in Lagos ministry as he claimed is never a licence for him to be parochial. If Adewale, could be giving false and attacking statement at the beginning, what will people expect later? Though the Ijebus are calm and quiet, but such calmness must not be taken for stupidity. Let the sleeping dog lie and never venture to step on a cobra’s tail. Adewale should exercise serious caution not to throw water on a running wheel. This letter was written by a prominent man in Ijebu-Epe to tribune news paper on 4th may,2010. what do you think is happening?
Posted on: Sat, 20 Jul 2013 20:05:48 +0000