Derin Ologbenla the founder of Okeigbo was a warrior from Ile-Ife whose trade was to prosecute war on behalf of the poor and the oppressed. It was through one of his efforts to liberate people that he founded what we know today as Oke-Igbo. Although, no official date could be given as when precisely Oke-Igbo was founded but history has it that the period between 1830 and 1840 are most likely to be the period that Okeigbo was founded.
Derin Ologbenla was said to have received an invitation from Ajibike, an Ifa consultant to Ooni Adegunle Abewela between the periods of 1839-1849. Ajibike was also serving Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Arilekolasi who as at that time was having a running battle with his subjects, the Ondo people. Derin being a friend of Ajibike was invited to liberate the Osemawe from the shackles of his subjects who are bent on killing him. Derin Ologbenla who as that time was in Ijesha after he has assisted them to win a war led his army from Isoroge to Ondo. Although, the decision did not go well with the Ijesha, he went ahead to pursue his purpose of liberating Osemawe.
Initially, he sent three spies to Ondo and bring back the situation report and assess the strength of the Ondos. After, they came back with their report, he was said to have assembled other notable war veterans who included: Ife prince, Are, Sowo from Egba Owu, Adumbu from Origbo, Onileowo from Origbo, Ebi from Ijesha, Esubi from Offa and Jarogungbo from Origbo and Kuole an Oyo man who had settled in Origbo. The journey to Ondo from Ife was through uninhabited jungle traversed by only powerful hunters.
The journey to Ondo began as Derin Assembled 75 soldiers who carried their weapons through the thick forest, hills, rivers and streams. It was on their way to Ondo that they arrived at a place where they met one Ife hunter called ‘Ojoge’. Derin was said to have persuaded his soldiers to pass the night at that place which later became what we know today as Oke-Igbo. Another thing was said to have happened mid-way in the night was the disappearance of Ojoge, the Ife hunter. The next morning when he appeared, he was said to have been drilled and it was discovered that his disappearance in the night was to inform the Ondo people about an invading army. Upon the discovery of his betrayal, he was executed at a place that is today the current site of Saint Andrew’s Primary School, Okeigbo. Although, Ojoge was executed for his betrayal, a stream he discovered was named after him and today it is known as ‘Odo-Ojoge’ in Oke-Igbo.
As expected, the Ondo people who have been informed about an invading army had assembled at Odosida, a well prepared army ready to rout the Derin’s gendarme. As the war progressed, Derin was said to have invoked charms and incantations which made him automatically invincible for the Ondos and aftermath of this, the Ondo soldiers in their hundreds were murdered by Derin who was said to have used his sword to unleash hell on the Ondos who were subsequently defeated. After the victory of Derin and his soldiers he was said to have told his men that they should go back and to that place ‘Okeigbo’ meaning ‘over the bushes’ at a place where they had earlier settled and that was how ‘Okeigbo’ was born.
History further has it that the Osemawe who Derin and his soldiers came to liberate was killed by his people before Derin could reach him, but he was said to have been given a befitting burial and Derin installed another head for the town before his eventual departure from Ondo.
YorubaRenaissance
I am always head swollen and pround when i read the history of my GREAT GRAND FATHER! OBA DERIN OLOGBENLA!! I am a descendant of the Great warrior!…..And would also like to say a big thank you to the creator of this blogg for a job well done!……I will like to also ask for a great favour too from the creator and publisher of this post….Could it be possible to get the photograph of OBA DERIN OLOGBENLA for viewers to see!?? It would be much exciting to see BABA photograph…. and definitely LOADS of appreciation will be showered on the publisher!.
THANKS for your effort
Prince Oluwasegunfunmi Adeniyi Adesua.
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Am really encouraged by your kind comments. The picture of Derin Ologbenla is not easy to come by. Searching frantically to get it. Thank you.
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Thank you very much Egbon. Olodumare will empower you in all you do. Ese pupo,
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Am proud of you the author of this write up ,can you pls use this medium to please our ancestor like Derin ologbenla are kugbaigbe kuole and other warrior that what they have labour to build okeigbo can not elect it credible traditional council leader (OBA ) let all us come together to settle our difference and move forward oloroke a gbewa o. Gbemibade F
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i love the story. who became the king of okeigbo?
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Though I’m just coming to terms with the revelation that I am from Ile-Ife and when I went further with my findings, I was told that I’m a descendant of this Great man, warrior and king Derin Ologbenla. Reading this blog alone has done great deed in making me to accept and embrace my newly discovered heritage. Yes! I still need to make lots of research and possibly visit the royal house of Ile-Ife to confirm my discovery. I am a son of the great, great and great sons of Derin Ologbenla who moved and settled in Okitipupa, Ondo state. With the family name; Amuyinmi. Ile-Ife here come your son. Amuyin Oluwole
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I will be pleased to be intimated with the line of history of obaship in Okeigbo,of especial,the reign of late oba sir Daniel Adetunji Ogunjimi. History has it he was the first crowned Oluoke of Okeigbo,it is the authenticity of this claim I want verified,and the impact the Oluoke made during his reign
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Oba Ogunjimi was the first Oluoke, died in 1987. Not much of him I could find online though
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Reblogged this on realblackpower's Blog.
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also note that derin ologbenla signed off the treaty ceding ile-ife to the british sometimes between 1880-1890
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Thanks for the important note.
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The history of Oke Igbo can never be forgotten,we should all come together and build our Oke Igbo.
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I heard Ogunjimi and Adeleye are brothers. How true is that?
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i read somewhere that there was a war between Ondo and OkeIgbo. Does anyone know the date of the war? Are there reference materials on this point that I can read?
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Go and read ‘a history of the Yoruba people by Professor Adebanji Akintoye
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Thank you for the great information… Okeigbo my root
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Thanks so much for the history of Oke-Igbo. May God continue to help you in research. I am so glad that I belong to Oke-Igbo. Sir, is there any research work on Oke-Igbo dialect?
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The oke igbo dialect is the aboriginal dialect of ILe-Ife from time immemorial and the time of the first settlers who came from Ile-Ife. See this https://oloolutof.wordpress.com/2017/05/20/emergence-of-oduduwa-as-the-supreme-high-priest-in-elu/
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Very many thanks for this insightful piece.I am a direct descendant of Ooni Derin Ologbenla.My name is Ologbenla Adedotun.I’m proud to be associated with Oke Igbo and it’s People.I was told that there are some legacies of my great great grandfather in Oke Igbo that need to be sustained.I’m seeking for a partnership in this wise.Thanks a lot Oloolutof
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Prince Adedotun Ologbenla, history can repeat itself through your person, you can built on the legacy of your great great grandfather in Okeigbo even today and be greater. Contact me through 09033928487.
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Am very happy that am descendant from this warrior, Omo oba Aderinola lati idile oba Giesi, Awon ondo ni won so ni ologbenla, because of the sword mark, sir you’re very great God will continue giving more wisdom.
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I really appreciate this post. I’ve been looking everywhere for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You have made my day! Thanks again!
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I’m so proud being an Oke-Igbo offspring. Thanks for the publication and more grease to your elbow.
Kudos to you and I wish you success in your endeavors.
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Thank you so much and we truly appreciate you
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Just checking out this beautiful blog again after 2013 and to my surprise i have found that the editor of this blog has posted the picture of my grandfather Oba derin Ologbenla…I am overwhelmed and proud of you sir
Eledumare bless you sir.
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Okeigbo is a great town, i pray it moves forward
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Great people, Great background.
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This is not the real picture of Ologbenla. Ologbenla had no tribal mark. It’s an abomination for the male lineage of Ologbenla to have tribal mark
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