LEARN MORE ABOUT OFFA KWARA STATE NIGERIA

Offa is a city located in Kwara State , central
Nigeria with a population of about 90,000 inhabitants. The vegetation in Offa is savanna vegetation and the town is noted for its
weaving and dyeing trade, using vegetable dyes made from locally grown indigo and other plants. Offa is well known for cultivation of Sweet potatoes and maize which also formed part of the favourite staple foods of the indigenes in the town. Offa in one of her eulogy is being address as the home of sweet potatoes. Cattle, goats and sheep are also raised in the environs. The key religions practised in the town are:- Islam, Christianity and Traditional religions.

The ancient tradition for which the town is known is wrestling . Offa's rich history is comprehensively documented in a book written by James Bukoye Olafimihan an educationist and clergyman titled 'Iwe Itan Offa', literally translated The Book of the History of Offa .
Offa is on the railway line from Lagos , the former capital of Nigeria, and Offa served as the railway terminus before the line was extended north to Kano and Nguru .
Tertiary institutions in the town include the
Federal Polytechnic, Offa , established in 1992,The Kwara State College of Health Technology (established 1976
Nigeria Navy School of Health Sciences. Summit University, Offa which has just been approved by the Nigerian Universities Commission, Lens polytechnic, offa www.lenspolytechnic.edu.ng/, Graceland Polytechnic offa.

Offa was first settled around AD 1000 by
Yoruba . The Offatedo of osun state, Iyana Offa in Oyo State, Offa in Cote d'ivoire, are all emanated from Offa. Presently the stool of Olofa is in contention. The prominent knighted chiefs of Offa include Esa, Ojomu, Sawo, Ola and Balogun. The praise name of Offa is "Ijakadi Loro Offa", a Yoruba phrase meaning "wrestling is our game". The city's mascot is the peacock bird which is one of the most prominent exotic avian species in the region and also because the town is a beautiful place.
Offa Grammar School is the first community grammar school in northern Nigeria.
Offa has more recently become well known in Nigeria for being home to Adesoye College, one of the most prominent private schools in Nigeria. The school's proprietor, Chief Adesoye is also the founder of Okin Biscuits. Both institutions have brought him and Offa fame throughout Nigeria.
Offa is centrally located in the midst and middle of many neighboring towns like Erin Ile in the south, Ijagbo in the north, Igosun and Ipee in the east and Ilemona, Irra, Ikotun and Ojoku in the west. Other towns surrounding Offa are Igosun and Igbo Idun. Offa has other notable missionary and community school such as Ansar Ud Deen College, Offa community Secondary School, Olalomi Comprehensive College, Iyeru Grammar school just to mention but a few. Offa is the second largest town in Kwara State. After Ilorin the state capital then Offa.
In addendum, Offa means "arrow" in the Yoruba Language. Also Ilorin means "the sharpening of iron for military weapons", Offa and Ilorin being military towns of the Old Oyo Empire were military outposts of the Old Oyo Empire.

How Offa derived its name  

All Yoruba names of towns and villages reflect the manners or the ways they were founded by the persons believed to be the original founders. The names of places or compounds in the towns or villages indicate the types of idols or gods often worshiped at the time.

The names or titles of the people or worshipers were determined by the idols they worshiped. Such names or titles served as simple or easy means of identification. That is why devout Muslims or Christian still bear names of titles which reflect this ancestral origin, even when they no longer worship these idols that have become extinct.

It is based on the above that Offa derives its name from an oyo prince and son of the Alaafin, Oranmiyan. From birth, he was call Olalomi. Olalomi grew up to be skilled and dexterous in the use of bows and arrows.

Ofa means arrow in the Yoruba language. Ofa is a tool, hunters used to kill wild animals and wage wars.

Over-time, Olalomi became known as Olofa, ‘’a person who owns an arrow’’ which he usually carried around, hung on his shoulder ad side, conspicuously. For even those who did not see him physically, the name gives a mental picture of “ Olofa gangan,’’ reflecting the way he moved around with his bow and arrow and his unrivalled prowess as a marksman in his various hunting expenditures in Yoruba land.

He was to undertake a hunting expedition to a virgin land which was later named Offa after him. The name Offa, was written with ‘’ff, to distinguish it from Ofa, the weapon he used in hunting.

Olofa I s the custodian of the settlement, where ‘’ Offa stands for the place of abode whereas ‘Ofa’ stands for the weapon or arrow. The two words are related but do not mean the same thing mentally and reality.

We differentiate the ordinary (non literal) meaning from the literal meaning of the two words.

Olofa Is the authentic custodian of the settlement called Offa, deriving from his name, Olofagangan, the word which reflect his mastery in the use of weapon.’Ofa’ for hunting and warfare.

Oriki Orile Offa

Oriki is a kind of Yoruba literary genre used to inspire people. It is usually in the form of poetry, consisting of songs of praise. Oriki can also take the name form as well. One must learn, memorize, and be able to chant the oriki of individuals and families.

ORIKI ORILE OFFA

Ede okin olofa mojo, olofa omo ola nlomi ab’isu joko ijakadi loro Offa, ija peki abe owula, bi ko ba se oju ebe l’Offa, as óju poro l’oko, iba soju oloko iba la won, osoju agunmona  l’Offa , O soju agbele yarara, o soju aporuba ka ‘ko, kinni se kagun-kakanrun ni ile oba, oka ni se kagun kankanrun, Agbado ni agun-mona l’Offa,

Eree ni agbele yarara, isu ni aporubu ka ‘ko, omo odi meta mete meta me ti nbe l’Offa mojo, odi iwaju  ti olusan, t’ehin ni se ti olumiran, t’arin gungun ni se ti olugbenise omo ayejin, omo odo meta meta ti ntun nbe l’Offa mojo, okan  ni apa erinla boo un ki oun dókun, okan ni apa agbo boo un ki oun d’osa, okan ni ki apa akuko gagara  boo un ki oun di agunloko l’Offa oba ni okookan Offa ti t’agbo ra, ododo won ti to erinla pa sugbon ni okan ba d’okun, ti okan ba d’osa nibo ni ako omo yebiye wonyisi. Eyi ti won wapa akuko ganga boo a ni owa di agunloko l’Offa olofa omo la ki Offa kun tele, olalomi ede okin olofa mojo Olofa Omo laare ki o dogba, okan ko gbodo ju kan bi okan ba ju kan, oba ni ko won roro, oba ko wa ri ti awa d’iran peki mob a odofin dimu, mose ojomu Karin, mo fi ehin saawo ra’le l’Offa o m’aka Arijasoro, olalomi lo laare.

Offa o m’aka egun wole l’Offa to ju ti omo okuta meta nsese, okan ko mi lese okansemi  pele, okan semi nrora,

Okan n’gbati emi mona , kinni mo wade ilu ete okan n’gbati emi ko mona kinin mo wa de ilu ero

Okan n’gbati emi mona , kinni mo wa de ilu awon-won ni ile olalomi ti omi ti won ti oju lo Ede

Okin timo ri okin bamuiti mofi abata sin ese l’Offa ti mo wari abelenje boju mo la k’Offa okun keekee Aral ale, olalomi omo orubo nla ti osubu l’aro papa ni ohun bata, oki mi o nla mi, olalomi tani osehun ninu ara won ileyi ko gbaye, a ko lo si loffa nigbati iloffa o gba wa a ko lo s’Offa oro nigbati Offa oro o gba wa, a ko los’Offa irese nigbati Offa irese ko gba wa, ako losi igbolutu  nigbati igbolutu ko gba wa mo, a tun pada si Offa Eesun nigbati Offa eesun o gbawa mo ni awa kowa si Offa Arinlolu olofa se pele o aro ko ya bumu, Ede olele aro ko ya buwe Ede olele aro ko ya buboju igun ni a rini a dasa geru, Akala nia rini a sasa l’edo olofa imole ni arin ni a wa dasa lami labe lapa se olofa lo ni omo , ko si Eku ti oju Offa o di oyo olofa ni oni omo gbengbeleku ni ara yoku nsan ni nwon ki olalomi iyeru okin.

IDI RE TI WON FI NKI AWON OMO OFFA NI

Iyeru okin olofa mojo omo laare olalomi omo abisu jooko ijakadi l’oro Offa lo ni omo, Gbegbeleku ni ara yoku nsan.

Ijakadi ​Offa Festival

Ijakadi Offa is a 14th century cultural festival of Offa Kingdom in Kwara State. It was enacted around 1498 AD during the Moremi Festival. Moremi was an Offa woman who became the queen of Oranmiyan of Ile-Ife. She single handedly rescued the people of Ife from their enemies.

Ijakadi is a mock wrestling bout between the Olofa and Essa, his second in command, while the whole town cheer. Thus goes the popular saying “Ijakadi loro Offa,” a Yoruba phrase, meaning, “wrestling is an Offa game,” The colorful ceremony features traditional drummers, singing and dancing groups and hunting display. The symbolic winning of the bout by the Oloffa is a constant reminder of his indisputable authority of the town while the Essa would always give excuses for his loss. All his excuses elicit ovation of “Kabiyesi o” from the crowd.

The festival takes place in December and is a meeting point for indigenes from all walks of life and coincides with the eating of the new yam characterized by the cutting of the yam into two halves which is referred to in vernacular as “la’are”.

It is a festival, which reinforces a tradition that abhors laziness and docility but encourages strength and determination, showcasing a culture that projects equality among the indigenes and between the Olofa and his subjects.

Speaking at the event, which took place at the Offa Township Stadium, the culture-loving monarch of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Okikiola EsuWoye II, said his firm support for the festival was due to his burning desire to renew the rich culture of his people and to further open Offa town to visitors and investors, as well as enhance tourism for the town and the state at large and that new activities were being introduced to make the festival bigger in scope and more attractive to potential tourists.

Activities that featured during the last edition of the festival included a Road Show which paraded the five districts of Offa in their dazzling colours, the Arewa Offa Beauty Pageant, which celebrates the traditional Offa woman, a Food Expo which showcased different dishes of sweet potato-Offa’s main food crop and Traditional Wrestling. There were displays by various cultural groups, paying of homage by district heads to the Olofa, as well as the presentation of trophies with cash awards to the participating districts.

The Ijakadi Offa festival will henceforth be included in the list of national festivals being promoted by the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation because of its consistency and rich cultural content.

Educational Institutions in Offa

Primary and Secondary Schools

1. Goodness Royal College Offa Kwara State
2. Offa Grammar School Offa Kwara State
3. Adesoye College Igosun Road, Offa Kwara State
4. Oyeleke Memmorial College Oyeleke College          Road, Offa Kwara State
5. Hamdalat International School 69 ,Atari Road, Offa Kwara State
6. Al-Hikmat Islamic Academy Obanimomo, Offa Kwara State
7. Lifeword Christian Academy,Ojoku Road, Offa Kwara State
8. A U D College Irra Road Offa Kwara State
9. Victory Model College, Halleluya Street, Lamodi, Offa Kwara State
10. Mustapha Extramoral Classes Orita Merin, Offa Kwara State
11. Goodness Group Of Schools, Lamodi Street, Offa Kwara State
12. Olaitan Group Of Schools, Gusau Road Afelele, Offa Kwara State
13. Omolabake Group Of schools osunte area offa kwara state.
14. Offa community secondary school Offa kwara State
15. Moremi Comprehensive High School Offa kwara State
16. Bulala International School Offa kwara State
17. Adeola Memorial College Offa kwara State
18. Government Day Secondary School Offa kwara State
19. Iyeru grammar School Offa kwara State
20. Ansaru l Islam Primary School Offa Kwara State.
21. Olugbense primary school Osunte, Offa Kwara State.
22. Great Land Cambridge school, Amuyo Offa Kwara State.
23. Queen Jolade Nursery and Primary School Olohunkuse, Offa Kwara State.
24. Ayo ni o Nursery and Primary School, Offa, Kwara State
25. Tawakalitu Secondary School Offa, Kwara State
26. Anglican Comprehensive College Offa, Kwara State
27. Bimaks International School Offa Kwara State
28. Bright Generation International School Offa Kwara State
29. Biljof Nursery and Primary School Offa Kwara State
30. Moradeyo Dolapo Nursery and School Offa Kwara State
31. The Apostolic Model LGEA School Offa Kwara State
32. Abdulsalam Atoyebi kiddies Academy Offa Kwara State
33. Abdulsalam Atoyebi College Offa Kwara State
34. Ifeoluwa Baptist School Offa Kwara State
35. St. Cyprian LGEA Offa Kwara State
36. St. Mark CMS Model LGEA Offa Kwara State
37. St. Mark Junior Secondary School Offa Kwara State
38. St. Clair’s Girls Anglican Grammar School Offa Kwara State
39. Calvary Nursery and primary Offa Kwara State
40. St. Thomas LGEA school Offa Kwara State
41. Olalomi College Offa Kwara State
42. Sunny day Private school Offa Kwara State
43. Foluhunsho Nursery and Primary Offa Kwara State
44. Barack International School Offa Kwara State
45. Little saint Nursery and primary Offa Kwara State
46. Mustapha Omowunmi Standard School Offa Kwara State
47. Mustapha Standard School Offa Kwara State
48. Abubakar Siddik Islamic Model School Offa Kwara State,
49. Flourish Day Care Offa Kwara State
50. Mayowa Seed School Offa Kwara State
51. Nurul Haq Quranic and Arabic School Offa Kwara State
52. An-Nur Model School Offa Kwara State
53. Ta’awun Model School Offa Kwara State
54. Toaheed LGEA Offa Kwara State
55. Kofoworola Nursery and Primary School Offa Kwara State
56. The Prince Model School Offa Kwara State
57. Opwa LGEA School Offa Kwara State
58. Supreme Model School Offa Kwara State
59. Dayowumi Nursery and Primary School Offa Kwara State
60. Oroyinyin Nursery and Primary School Offa Kwara State
61. E-prime rose Model School Offa Kwara State
62. ECWA LGEA School Offa Kwara State
63. Canaan spring Nursery and Primary School Offa Kwara State
64. Standard International School Offa Kwara State
65. Olajumoke Nursery and Primary school along Anilelerin Offa Kwara State
66. Ogo Oluwa Nursery School Offa Kwara State
67. Salvation Nursery and  School Ogidiri Offa Kwara State
68. Teke Nursery and Primary School Offa Kwara State
69. Johnson Nursery and Primary Besides General Hospital Offa Kwara State
70. Excellent View Nursery and Primary School Offa Kwara State
71. Muhammad Lawal Arabic and Islamic School Lamodi Offa Kwara state

 Higher institutions in offa

1. The Federal Polytechnic Offa, Kwara State
2. Lens Polytechnic Offa Kwara State
3. Grace Land Polytechnic Offa Kwara State
4. College of Education Ilemona-Offa Kwara State
5. School Of Preliminary Studies Osunte area Offa Kwara State
6. Summit University Irra road,Offa Kwara State.
7. Offa University Km3 Irra road,Offa Kwara State.

Offa Railway Station

Offa Railway Station is located at Ajasse-Ipo Road, Kwara.

This was built in 1896.

Built by the british colonial government in 1896.

This is an inter-state train station. As one of the main stations along the Lagos-Ibadan-Ilorin rail line, if you plan on journeying by rail to Lagos and other parts of the country, this is your starting point.this rail line adequately links up the South-Western part of the country with the North.

PAST RULERS OF OFFA
THE CHRONOLOGY OF OLOFAS
(1) Oba Olalomi Olofagangan ( Hunter Prince of Oranmiyan Descendant Ife-Oyo) – (1397 – 1448)
(2) Oba Olutide (Engaged in war with the Nupes, settled at Offa- Eesun) - (1448 -1491)
(3) Oba Olugesinde (Moved to Offa Igbo-Olotu) – (1491-1526)
(4) Oba Oluwole (Engaged in war with Nupes – (1526-1567)
(5) Oba Okunmolu ( Settled on Present site- Offa Igbo Oro) – (1624 – 1624)
(6) Oba Olusanle (Assisted Alafin of Oyo to expand) – (1679 – 1726)
(7) Oba Olusanmi – (1679-1726)
(8) Oba Olugbense (Opened up roads in Offa- Reported Offa/ Erin-Ile dispute to Alafin of Oyo) –
(1726-1789)
(9) Oba Bamgbola Aremu Agbojojoye (Peacful Reign) – (1789-1800)
(10) Oba Amodu Agaka ( Fulani wars with Oyo affected Offa during his reign) – (1800-1803)
(11) Oba Olumorin Anilelerin ( Nupes invaded Offa, fled to iddo-osun, later moved to iseyin,
defended iseyin against gezo) – (1803-1832)
(12) Oba Alade Alebiosu ( Supreme overlord of ibolo kingdom) – (1832-1844)
(13) Oba Ariyibi Omolaoye – (1844-1850)
(14) Oba Morohunfolu Okunoye ( 13 Years with Ilorin in War, Jalumi War) – (1850 -1882)
(15) Oba Atoloye Adegboye (Offa sacked by fulanis, fled to Iddo – Osun) – (1882 – 1886 & 1902 –
1906)
(16) Oba Arokanorisa Otaogbaye ( Reigned when Adegboye was in Iddo-Osun) – (1887 – 1902)
(17) Oba Oyeniran Ariwajoye I – (Train passed Offa, Became 2nd Class Oba, Christianity came, 1st
Primary School, St. Mark’s opened, Ibolo district officer stationed in Offa. Trade flourished ,
but staff of office surreptitiously withdrawn because people refused pay tax thinking that the tax
was as a result of the Oba’s new status as 2nd Class Oba) - (1906-1917).
(18) Oba Arojojoye Adeboye – ( Offa – Erin-Ile road; constructed by Offa) – (1917 – 1920)
(19) Oba Abidoye – ( Liked by everyone, civic disturbance in town caused his deposition) – (1920 –
1926)
(20) Oba Esuwoye – ( Roofed the palace with iron sheets) – ( 1926 – 1936)
(21) Oba Wuraola Isioye – ( Rebuilt Onimaka Shrine , deposed Oba Adeboye returned to Offa , Offa
Grammar School Founded, more schools founded, Central Mosque rebuilt, O.D.U formed,
Deposed 1957,went into exile in Ogbomoso, General Hospital rebuilt during his reign) - 1920 –
1926)
(22) Oba Mustapha Keji – ( Bishop Smith Teachers College moved to Ilorin, Pipe borne water and
electricity in Offa, St. Clares’s Grammar School ,founded. Offa headquarters of Oyun Division.
Wuraola Isioye returned to Offa as a citizen. He was deposed. –( 1959-1969)
(23) Oba Mustapha Olawore Olanipekun, Ariwajoye II – ( 1970 – 2010)
(24) Oba Alhaji Mufutau Mohammed Gbadamosi Okikiola Esuwoye II – ( 2010 to Present)


OBA MUFUTAU OLOYEDE GBADAMOSI, OKIKIOLA ESUWOYE II, THE 24TH OLOFA OF OFFA

GBADAMOSI: THE KING; THE ENTERPRENEUR; THE PHILANTROPIST


The Olofa of Offa, His Royal Majesty, Oba Mufutau Muhammed Oloyede Gbadamosi, Okikiola Esuwoye II hails from Anilelerin Ruling House Offa, in Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State. He was born into the family of Alhaji Muhammed Gbadamosi Esuwoye and Alhaja Awawu Gbadamosi Esuwoye on the 10th of August, 1963. Both of Obatiwajoye and Asalofa Compounds respectively.
He started his education in the public-owned Mohammed Bankanu Primary School, Sokoto between 1969 and 1976. He proceeded to the renowned MaruTeachers College, Gusau between 1976 and 1981, where he bagged grade II Teachers Certificate. He then attended Birni-Kebbi Polytechnic between 1982 and 1985 from where he got his National Diploma in Building Technology.
His sheer passion to be educated at the higher level, again, took him to the famous and prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Building Technology in 1989. Between 1989 and 1990, he was a proud Youth Corp member rendering selfless service to his nation in the Katsina State Housing Authority. His industrious nature, commitment to duty, and amiable personality endeared him to the hierarchy of the Federal Housing Authority, who rewarded him with an employment in 1991 which he honored and was posted to Lagos.
The vicissitudes of life in Lagos coupled with the desire to make ends meet, which the FHA salary then could not provide, led Oba Mufutau Muhammed Oloyede Gbadamosi, Okikiola Esuwoye II to willingly tender his resignation letter in 1997 to seek a better and more rewarding greener pasture in the business of buying and selling of rice, sugar, salt and cement. He has been successful in business and rose to be the Chairman of MB Integrated Electrical and Data Services Limited; Zarm Poultry and Feed mill industry, Lagos; a Poultry business that prides itself as the biggest in Lagos State and Yammfy Nigeria Limited ; a sister poultry farm located at Ilemona, Kwara State. Yammfy Nigeria Limited is today adjudged to be one of the biggest Poultry businesses in Nigeria.
Oba Mufutau Muhammed Oloyede Gbadamosi Okikiola Esuwoye II has a pleasant personality. He is a man of vigor, agility and ability, endowed with an infrastructure of great and admirable character. He is humility personified, unassuming, lovers of the downtrodden and a giver to a fault. If Oba Mufutau Muhammed Oloyede Gbadamosi Okikiola Esuwoye II has seen farther than this, it is by standing on the shoulders of the giants. He is a respecter of person and has great respect for all Offa sons and daughters and other Nigerians irrespective of tribes and cultural differences. He is a detribalized Nigerian.
A man who prides himself as the true son of Offa is always with deep concern for others in times of need. He is a generous man and a lot of people both home and abroad have benefited from his magnanimity. Also because of his commitment and deep love for Offa people, coupled with his innate desire to put Offa as a town on the world map, he rebuilt Olofa’s Palace which had hitherto cry for renovation and has since been completed and commissioned by His Excellency, Dr. Bukola Saraki, the former Executive Governor of Kwara State. Today, the multimillion naira palace is one of the best in Africa.
Oba Mufutau Muhammed Oloyede Gbadamosi Okikiola Esuwoye II has received several meritorious awards. He is a Fellow of Chartered of Institute of Management and Institute of Research. His hobbies include playing badminton and travelling. Oba Mufutau Muhammed Oloyede Gbadamosi Okikiola Esuwoye II has traversed the length and breadth of the globe. He is married and blessed with children. To the glory of Almighty Allah, he is the 24th Olofa of Offa and the first graduate to ascend the exalted throne of his forefathers.



PROMINENT OFFA INDEGENES

Great communities like nations are built through the sweat of citizens who are committed to noble attributes such as altruism, dedication, hard work, initiative, responsibility, honesty, and creativity, commitment to the building of their society, and above all equity and justice. Are these not the distinguishing marks of an Offa man and woman? Check out our contribution to human civilization:

1. Chief (Dr) Jonathan Durojaiye Soleye
2. Professor M.O Oyawoye
3. Chief  Emmanuel Adesoye
4. Chief (Mrs) Felicia Adeola Adesiyun
5. Chief Y.F Oyeyemi
6. Alhaji Tajudeen Owoyemi
7. Dr. T.O Olagunju
8. Tunde Oloyede
9. Dr. (Chief) A.O Folorunsho
10. Professor Nike S. Ijaiya
11. Professor Musbau Adewunmi Akanji
12. Alhaji Tiamiyu Olatinwo
13. Dr. Razaq Bello
14. Rtd Vice Admiral GTA Adekeye
15. Chief A.A Morohunfola
16. Barr. J.O Ijaodola
17. Hon. Taiye Opaleke
18. Dr. Rabiu Funsho
19. Dr. Femi Adekanye
20. Arc. Lola Ashiru
21. Alh. Jani Ibrahim
22. Eng A.A Lawal
23. Alh. AbdulRahim Ayotunde Raji
24. Professor Sulyman Olatunji Adeyemi
25. Alh. Yunus Abioye Oyeleke
26. Emmanuel Olatunde Olaniyi
27. Sanni Olatunde Giwa
28. Bello ajibade Jatto
29. Alhaji Gbadamosi Ijaiya
30. Aliyu Onaolapo Olatinwo
31. Alhaji Najeem Usman Yasin(President of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW)
32. Alhaji Moshood Mustapha
33. Dr. Sarah Alade
34. Mr. Surajuddeen O. Oyebode
35. Mr. Eyitayo Shittu
36. Hajiya Omobola Tunji Olagunju
37. Barr. R.A Lawal Rabana
38. Mr. Waheed Olagunju
39. Justice Banji Orilonishe
40. Group Captain Salaudeen Olatinwo Rtd
41. Arc. Saka Oladejo Omotosho

INFLUENTIAL PERSONALITIES IN OFFA

SHAYKH MUHAMMAD JAMIU BULALA

ALHAJI NAJIMUDEEN USMAN YASIN

SHAYKH MUHAMMAD LAWAL BELLO YAYI

PROF. RABI MOHAMMED ASHIRU

HISTORY OF ISLAM IN OFFA

Historians told us that they could not say exactly the year Islam was presented to Offa and the person who brought it. But in 1900 when the people returned to Offa from Ido-Osun, Islam had been deep-rooted in Offa, especially in Aranmokanla, Akosomu, Ajoda, Mogaji Aba (in Popo), Imam, Ajia Oke-Okoo, Bolude and Baba (in Ita-Erin) compounds.


We learnt that these compounds did not go to Ido-Osun, when Offa was deserted, but went to the Yanayo Campground at Ilorin. By 1907; Islam was well established in Offa when the influential people of the town embraced the religion. The first to pray (salat) among them was Lawani Atoyebi son of Kempe. Lawani, who was commonly known as Alhaji Dundu, died in 1964. After he accepts Islam, numerous prominent who were his age group in Offa also embraced Islam. Since then Islam has been deep-rooted in Offa till date. Momodu Alabi, commonly known as Alhaji Popo was one of those who had little knowledge of the Quran and was the one who taught Alhaji Dundu the Quran. Alhaji Popo was the first person in Offa to go on pilgrimage to Mecca; he went with his wife. Alhaji Momodu’s father hailed from Ogbomosho. Just about 1910, one Islamic tutor known as Aminu, an Ilorin man came to Offa and lodged at Aranmokanla’s compound.

He engaged in embroidery making and was well knowledgeable in the Quran and was later known as the Quranic tutor of Aranmokanla’s compound. He was also leading the Offa people in holy rites as well as teaching them the Quran. Alhaji Popo, Alhaji Dundu, Usamat Imam, Falali Imam and Alhaji Sanni Giwa were Quranic students of Alfa Aminu of Aranmokanla’s compound.

We learnt that the first Imam in Offa was a man known as Maliki and the title has remained in his compound till date. Those who have held the title are: Maliki, Bakare Suta, Abass Raman, Abdul-Kareem, Usamat, Falali, Salawudeen who was the Imam in 1970 when the History of Islam in Offa was being compiled, and Oseni who was the Imam at the time of this second edition. All the named Imams were of the same ancestry. Imam Kareem was well proficient in the Quran and was intelligent too. He was an Imam, a Judge, as well as a Tax Collector for the town.

We could not relate the history of Islam in Offa without mention being made of the central mosque. The mosque has been reconstructed thrice; the present one is the fourth construction. Those who contributed immensely during the construction of the third restructure were: Imam Falali, Alhaji Dundu, Alhaji Popo, Jimoh Naibi, Alhaji Sanni Giwa, Alhaji Gbadamosi Ijaiya, Alhaji Bello Jatto, Alhaji Aliu Olatinwo, Lawani Onawola (Baba Isale) and Bakare Keji.

Those who were in Offa as well as outside it donated generously towards the construction of the mosque, which is an object of honour and glory to Offa. The building cost £600,060 = or N1, 200,060 when the Nigerian currency had value. Alhaji Sanni Giwa and Imam Salawu were those who gave us specifics of this history. Both of them are now deceased, May the God mercies be upon them.

OFFA CENTRAL MOSQUE

Offa Central Mosque is located at Opp. Offa Palace, Olofa Way, Offa, Kwara.
The Offa central mosque is the meeting place of worship for the Muslim faithfuls in Offa. Non-muslims are also allowed in except during prayers. This is a very safe location.
The architectural brilliance as well as the having a large deposit of the Qur'an. Its also a good spot to learn more about the religion of Islam as there are scholars readily available for such purpose.
The mosque has a very vast expanse of space which makes it conducive for worshipers who throng there five times daily as well as for the Friday prayers.

Past and Present Chief Imams of Offa

1               Imam Malik Shita

2               Imam Bakar Shita

3                Imam Abdulrahman Shita

4               Imam Abdulkarim Malik

5               Imam Usamat Malik

6               Imam Falili Malik

7               Imam Salih Bakar

8               Imam Husain Abdulrahman

9               Imam Salih AbdulKarim

10            Imam Muhyideen Salman Hussain

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PRESENT CHIEF IMAM OF OFFA

Shaykh Muhyideen Salman Hussain is the Chief Imaam Of Offa Land , His Lectures has influenced positively many individuals in Nigeria .

He is a prominent Arabic and Islamic studies scholar. He’s known for his sermons on islamic topics  as a whole and other general parts of human life. He was the head of the multidisciplinary department of religion (1997-1999)and the department of Arabic (2008-2009)universityof ILORIN.

As a part of resolute commitments of promoting reading culture among Muslim clerics, the chief imam of OFFA ALHAJI muhideen Salman Hussein has built a befitting library with capacity of about 150 readers at a time

The library which was also well stocked with books on Arabic, Islamic studies and other relevant material on Islamic jurisprudence was commissioned where eminent personalities across the country were in attendance.

HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY IN OFFA

CHRISTIAN RELIGION IN OFFA

We need to relate the spread of Christianity in Offa because of the immense contribution of this religion to the development of our country. If we consider closely some of the development in this town, it would be discovered that they came with Christianity. It is not only in Offa that Christianity made this contribution, wherever there is civilization, there is Christianity. The religion is a light because it provided illumination into the darkness that hitherto existed in Offa. We therefore need to relate how this lightness came by and how it developed and spread in Offa.

The Christian religion came to Offa from Osogbo through Reverend A.W. Smith {who later became a Bishop} and his wife. They both belonged to the Church Missionary Society {C.M.S} and it was this society they founded in Offa. Reverend Smith and his wife came to Offa from Osogbo in 1907. They staged a mobile film show for the people at the present site of Offa Central Mosque. They stayed in Offa for two days before they returned to Osogbo. They were lodged at Elemona compound on this visit.

Nothing was heard again about these Missionaries until the year 1909 when Reverend Smith and his wife came on another visit to Offa. When they came on this visit, they erected their camp at a place where a man named Fasanu used to have his abode near Mr. J.O.S. Onawola’s house, adjacent to Ojomu Doyin compound. They came to Offa on a Saturday and left for Osogbo the following Monday.

As we were told, when these Evangelists were erecting their camp, Mr. Omidele of Rotimi compound and Mr. Onawola of Alagure compound came to assist them. We learnt that the first Sunday service held in the camp commanded the presence of Mr. Onawola and other youths in Offa who came out of curiosity. It was that same year, 1909, that Mr. Onawola embraced Christianity and started attending school.

In the year 1909 still, after the Evangelists had returned to Osogbo, Mr. E.A. Omobile from Ogbomoso came and settled at Offa. It was from here that he used to go to towns like Oyan, Obagun and some other towns in Ibolo land on pastoral visits. Omobile worked in this capacity till the year 1910.

After Mr. Omobile was transferred to Omofe-Ilesa in 1910, Reverend A.W. Smith and his wife came back to Offa permanently. After about three months, they brought Mr. Leke who was a native of Osogbo. Mr. Leke worked in the Church as well as taught in the School. Reverend Smith and his wife also taught in the School but the School period then ran from 9 am to 12 noon and 2 pm to 4 pm.

By this time, Mr. E.A. Adeleye came back to Offa. We need to recall that Mr. E.A Adeleye had embraced Christianity and was attending school in Ibadan under the tutelage of Reverend Olubi before he returned to Offa, his hometown.

During this period, teachers used to come from Osogbo on Sundays to teach in Offa. The Christians in Offa by the year 1909 when the religion was introduced in the town were:
Kasumu, Amos Tade, Odunsi, Abimbola, Roberts, Sesilo, Thomas Adu and Akinkunmi.

The Mission House located at the C.M.S. Church Idi-Olufon was built with the approval from the Oyo District Council, which also donated One Hundred Pounds towards the project. The construction was started in the year 1909, but it was during the tenure of Reverends D.A. Omoniyi and D.O. Ayorinde that the Offa congregation extended the building to its present size. It was also during their tenure that the building behind the Mission House were constructed; only a kitchen was constructed alongside the Mission House built by the C.M.S. in 1909. The bricklayer for the building was one Emmanuel Kehinde.

Mr. Oloyede Toriola was attending school in Offa at this period, but left Offa in 1912 for further education at Oyo. Oloyede Toriola was the first holder of Teachers Certificate {First Class} among those who schooled at the Oyo College*.

Evangelists were going from Offa to places like Igbajo and Oke-Ode for their activities by 1911. At the beginning of 1912, Mr. E.A. Otolorin came to Offa after Reverend Smith and his wife returned to Osogbo. Mr. Otolorin was the first product of Oyo College to take up teaching appointment at Offa. He also did some pastoral works with his teaching duties. This Mr. Otolorin was the father of Dr. M.P. Otolorin who was the first Medical Doctor in Offa in 1948. After a year, Mr. E.A. Otolorin was transferred and replaced by Mr. Gabriel Bolarinwa in August 1912. Mr. Bolarinwa served until the year 1918 when he was transferred to Oba. When he was at Offa, he was doing mainly church duties while Mr. Boboye Tokunbo did the school duties. After Mr. Tokunbo came Mr. E.A. Fadipe who hailed from Iseyin, he also left Offa for Osogbo in 1917. Mr. Alfred Oyekanmi replaced him as a teacher in Offa. Reverend Omoniyi started work at Offa in 1918 and was still in office when Reverend D.O. Ayorinde came in 1932.

Since 1909 when Christianity came into Offa, the C.M.S. Church has been progressing. However, there was a disagreement within the congregation during the tenure of Reverend Ayorinde. The matter was so serious that there was a division in the church on the Easter day celebration on March 24th, 1940. A faction left the church and laid the foundation of their new church on February 13th, 1941 and named it Iyeru Okin African Church because the then Olofa of Offa, King Wuraola Isioye laid the foundation. The church is an indigenous one.

We should mention some of the progress recorded by the C.M.S. {Anglican} church since it came to Offa in the year 1907.

The Authority gave Offa its own District Church Council in April 1949. Archdeacon S.V. Olatunde of Ibadan was the first Chairman of the District Council. In January 1950, Canon S.P. Adeyinka was transferred to llorin as the chairman of Offa District Council. There was a disagreement between the Offa District Council and the C.M.S Authority on why llorin was made the headquarters of Offa district council. After the necessary correction, the authority transferred Canon Adeyinka and replaced him with Canon D.A. Olaitan who came to Offa as both the Head of the Church and Chairman of the Offa District Council.

Reverend D.A. Ayorinde left Offa on January 2nd 1951 for Ifon near Owo. Reverend Olaitan arrived Offa on January 17th, 1951. The Offa C.M.S completed a storey building as the official residence of their Reverend within the church compound in 1954.

The Anglican Girls’ School Offa was founded in February 1953 with Mrs. Onasanya as the first headmistress. At the beginning of 1963, the school was up graded to a post-primary one for girls and named Saint Clare’s Grammar School with Mrs. Sanderson as the first principal.

A Teachers Training College was opened in Offa and named after the man that brought Christianity to Offa (Bishop Smith Memorial College) on May 20th, 1957. Mr. T. A. Aregbesola was the first principal of the school, however the school was moved to llorin after few years in Offa.

The second school for girls (Offa Community Girls School) was established by the Offa Descendants’ Union in 1953. Mrs. Felicia Adeola Adesiyun headed the school. In 1967 the Offa Descendants’ Union handed over the school to the C.M.S (Anglican) for conversion into Secondary School known as Anglican College of Commerce. The first principal of the school was Mr. Ayo Oyinloye, who resigned in 1976 after working for ten years.

Archdeacon D.A. Olaitan resigned and left Offa on December 28th 1966. Reverend S.A. Odunuga became an Archdeacon in January 1967 and took over from Olaitan. After Archdeacon Odunuga left Offa on December 16th, 1972 came Archdeacon D.O. Okunmuyide to Offa from Esie on December 28th 1972. After the short tenure of Okunmuyide came Archdeacon S.A. Adejinmi whose tenure witnessed the transformation of Saint Mark Church Offa into a Cathedral for the Kwara Diocese. Adejinmi left Offa on January 7th, 1976 and was replaced by Archdeacon S.A. Adeosun who came from Lokoja. Adeosun was the first Provost of the new Cathedral and was still in office as at the time of this second edition.

After about twelve years of heated debate within the C.M.S (Anglican) Church in Kwara State on where would be the Bishop seat when the state eventually became a Diocese, it was resolved at the conference of the church of the province of West Africa (Anglican) that the Bishop’s seat for the Kwara Diocese be located in Offa. This directive came from this conference held at Ado-Ekiti on February 1st, 1974; Arch-Bishop Moses N.O.C Scott from Sierra-Leone chaired the conference.

The Kwara Diocese was established on November 1st 1974, the very day Saint Mark Church Offa became a cathedral and the Diocesan headquarters of Kwara State. Rt. Reverend Herbert Haruna was made the first Bishop of the Kwara Diocese inside Saint James Cathedral Church Ibadan on October 27th, 1974 and was formally installed on the Bishop seat at Saint Mark Cathedral Offa on November 1st, 1974.

The first member of C.M.S (Anglican) Church Offa to become a Reverend was the author of this book, Very Reverend James Bukoye Olafimihan. After Olafimihan had taught and served as Principal of Schools for several years, he was made a Deacon on June 5th, 1955 and became a Reverend by the end of that year. Reverend Olafimihan became the first Provost of Saint Michael Cathedral Kaduna in 1965. Provost Olafimihan voluntarily resigned on December 31st, 1976 and came to Offa in retirement.
(Up to this point has God helped us).

It is a bit difficult to discuss other churches in Offa today because after the advent of C.M.S Church in the town, others came. The most important thing is to relate how Christianity came to Offa and the impact of the religion on the town and her people.

We need to note that after the Offa people had seen the benefits of this religion, they did not savour it alone but spread the gospel to several other towns like Esie, Iludun, Oyan, Erin-lIe, Ikotun, Obo, Omupo, Ira, Ilorin, Igbonna, and Idofihan.

If we take a retrospective look at the status of Offa in 1909, eight years after the people returned from Ido-Osun and its status today, we would see the great impact of the Christian religion in the development. We would then have no choice but to thank God. “You are the light of the World” (Matthew 5:17).

COMPILED BY
SANUSI MUHAMMAD YAYI ALKAWTHARYBABA
+22962744193
Sanusim691@gmail.com



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