Alhaji Tajudeen Oluyole Olusi

By Mustapha Kunle Ogunsakin

The Chairman of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), Lagos State, Alhaji Tajudeen Oluyole Olusi, has traced the history of the Ojora family of Lagos to Aramoko-Ekiti, in Ekiti State.

A Prince of the Olusi family in Lagos, Olusi also recounted the history of his mother’s lineage from the palace of the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, making him a Prince of both Lagos and Ado-Ekiti. In recognition of his ancestral ties to the Ado-Ekiti Kingdom, Olusi will be installed as the Atobatele of Ado-Ekiti on Saturday, May 24, 2025, by the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe.

During a congratulatory visit by the Ado-Ekiti Development Council (AEDC), Lagos, led by its President, Dr. Yemi Olayinka, and Secretary, Mr. Mustapha Ogunsakin, Prince Olusi spoke on the significant contributions of Ekiti people to Lagos. He emphasised that Ekiti indigenes have not only contributed immensely to the growth and development of Lagos but have also become an integral part of the city.

Prince Olusi’s account highlights the deep historical and cultural connections between Lagos and Ekiti.

The octogenarian Prince, 89, elaborated:

“One example of indigenous Ekiti people who have settled in Lagos is the Ojora Chieftaincy Family. As you know, the Ojora, as a white cap chief, is one of the Idejo chiefs, landowners in Lagos, and also a kingmaker. The Ojora people originally hailed from Aramoko-Ekiti, Ekiti State, according to historical records.

“In ancient times, there was a kingship tussle in Aramoko-Ekiti between two princes. The victorious prince assumed the throne, while the other, together with his family and loyal followers, left the town. They journeyed from place to place until they reached Iddo, where they chose to settle.

“The Oba and chiefs of Lagos welcomed them warmly and granted them land. The area where they settled became known as ‘Ijo Awon Aramoko,’ which over time was shortened to ‘Ijo Alara,’ and later ‘Ijora.’ According to their history, the first Ojora was named Alara Orunji, as his people still regarded him as the Alara of Aramoko despite his loss in the battle at home. He was considered their own king.

“To further illustrate this connection, there is a place in Yaba called Sabo, along the University of Lagos’s second gate road, where Alara Street is named. This commemorates the son of Ojora, who moved out of Ijora, built his house there, and inscribed ‘Alara’ as a reminder of his roots. The government later named the street in his honor. The Ojora family’s origin from Aramoko-Ekiti has been documented even before the tribunal.”

Prince Olusi continued:

“Ekiti people have become an integral part of Lagos. For instance, there is a road in Lagos Island named Odunlami, after an Ekiti indigene. Several Ekiti families reside at Oke Popo. My father, who was an Oba of Lagos, had a mother from Ijero-Ekiti. Just as Osun deity is worshipped in Ijero, it is also worshipped at Oke Popo. There is a family house called Agbole Osun at Oke Popo, which still exists today. Families with Ekiti ancestry are numerous in Oke Popo, and you will find people parading Ado-Ekiti masquerades in Oke Popo and Epetedo areas of Lagos Island.

“When I was a young boy, Ado masquerades would visit my mother’s house. My grandmother was a daughter of Oba Ajimudaoro of Ado-Ekiti. Ekiti people are truly onile (landowners) in Lagos.

“There is a story I often tell. My grandmother, Adeyemi, had two siblings, a girl and a boy, making three in total. During the Kiriji war, they came to Lagos and have maintained close ties ever since. My grandmother’s sister married Aderupoko Coker at Jankara. The Cokers are of Egba origin, but through this marriage, there are Ekiti descendants in the Coker family. My grandmother’s sister also took their brother into the Coker household, where he was adopted and became known as Adebayo Coker.

“When I was a young man, around 1962, I was already a councillor on Lagos Island. Oba Daniel Aladesanmi, the then Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, was part of Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s Western delegation to the constitutional conference in London. Ado-Ekiti indigenes in Lagos hosted and accommodated him at the home of one of our mothers, Rabi Alaso, on Ali Street, a traditional meeting place for Ado-Ekiti indigenes.

“When my first son was born, Ekiti people played a prominent role in the naming ceremony. My son, Adetoyose Ahmed Tijani Olusi, now Chairman of Lagos Island Local Government, was named Adedeji by the Ekiti people, signifying that we have a crown in both Lagos and Ado-Ekiti, making him a Prince of Ado-Ekiti as well.”

This account highlights the deep historical and cultural connections between Lagos and Ekiti, as recounted by Prince Tajudeen Oluyole Olusi

*Ogunsakin Mustapha, is the publisher of Gavel International

Read a related story: Ado Ekiti Honours One of Its Own: A Tribute to Chief Tajudeen Oluyole Olusi