ABEOKUTA – In the heart of the Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area lies Seriki Oke Abata Village, a settlement whose history is intricately woven into the broader tapestry of Egba land and colonial Nigeria. Founded by the visionary Late Adebokun, the village has evolved from a burgeoning settlement along Aiyerose Road into a symbol of familial strength and historical significance.
The Foundation and Geography
The origins of Seriki Oke Abata are rooted in the ancestral home at No. 71 Idowu Baase Compound in Ijemo Ita Oba Oyinbo, Abeokuta. Under the leadership of Adebokun, the village was established in a strategic location, sharing boundaries with Abule Aromimawe, Oya, and Olopa villages. Its proximity to the Aiyerose village market further cemented its status as a vital hub within the Obafemi-Owode axis.
Iya Sangowede also known as mama alapasun was the only family which maintain stability in the Seriki Oke Abata Village, she ensured peace and tranquility within the village among the foreigners and the indegenes.
A Lineage of Influence: The Adebokun Descendants
The growth of the village is inseparable from the expansion of the Adebokun family tree. Adebokun fathered four children—Idowu, Sowunmi, Adenekan, and his daughter, Fafunke—who became the pillars of the burgeoning community.
* The Idowu Lineage: Produced notable figures including Sangowede, Kuye, Matanmi, Tiyamiyu, and Wuraola. Their children are Lateef Idowu, Segun Matanmi-Idowu, Akanke got married to outsider. Then grandchildren are Tobiloba Idowu, Oluwaseun Idowu and others.
* The Sowunmi Lineage: Begot Soyoye forward by Olu Amos and Aduke, to their children, Adegboyega Adebayo Amos, Funmilayo Amos, Tawakalitu Amos, Olamilekan Amos
* The Adenekan Lineage: Represented by Lasisi Iba, Kekingbo, and Amudatu.
* The Fafunke Lineage: Connecting the family to Itoko through her marriage to Baba Fajebe, producing the Fajebe and Aliu lines.
The Colonial Connection and the British Flag
Perhaps the most captivating chapter of the village history involves the diplomatic relationship between Idowu (son of Adebokun) and the British colonial administrator, Lord Frederick Lugard.
Oral tradition dictates that their friendship was so profound that Idowu entrusted his daughter, Wura, to Lugard to be educated and raised abroad. This bond served as a literal shield for the community during times of conflict; it is recorded that Lugard ordered the British flag to be flown over the areas where Idowu and his people resided, signaling to the British army that the territory was protected and was to remain untouched by war.
Ecclesiastical and Traditional Leadership
Following the cessation of hostilities, the family's influence transitioned into formal traditional governance. Idowu, who already held the title of Baase of Ijemo, was called upon to fill the void left by the passing of the former Oluwo of Ijemo. His installation ensured that the spiritual and administrative leadership of the Ijemo people remained robust and continuous.
During the lifetime of Kehinde-Idowu Hassan known as Baba Kenke was the secretary of Ijemo Traditional Council in Abeokuta, Ogun state.
The Modern Generation: Keeping the Flame Alive
Today, the descendants of the original four pillars continue to thrive across various sectors. From the grandchildren of Kuye (including the lines of Ebenezer/Aliu and Lateef) to the prolific families of Matanmi, Tiyamiyu, and Olu Amos, the legacy of Seriki Oke Abata remains a living history.
The village stands not just as a geographical location, but as a testament to how family bonds and historical alliances shaped the landscape of modern Ogun State.
