Iperu Remo
Encyclopedia
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Iperu or Iperu Bale Oja is a town near the Ibu River in the Ogun State
in southwestern Nigeria
. It is the most populous towns in Remo Region of the Ikenne
Local Government Area. The entire LGA has an area of 137.13 km² and a population of 178,412 at the 2006 census.
cultural region of southwestern Nigeria. The city was founded in the mid-19th century when several small towns united for purposes of defense during the wars brought about by the fall of the Oyo Empire
. Iperu controlled the trade routes between the ports in the Niger Delta
and the Yoruba mainland until the British
occupied the area at the end of the 19th century. Iperu has experienced both population and economic growth since the 1950s just like Sagamu
due to its position between the cities of Ibadan
and Lagos
. Iperu is the most centrally placed town in Remo division. Iperu is on a table land, hence, it has erosion problem. The Sagamu - Ibadan
road which is a Federal road passed through Iperu. Iperu is about five Kilometres to Sagamu, which has a common boundary with it from the south. It is about three kilometres to Ogere which is a western boundary. It is about four kilometres to Ode Remo which is a northern boundary. Iperu land is already in close touch with Ode Remo township. It is about four kilometres to Ilisan, its eastern boundary. You cannot move a kilometre distance without reaching a human habitation among all the Iperu boundary mates. Iperu and its surrounding towns will come together as a unit town within a few years looking at the rate of extension and expansion of all the towns.
The population in 1990 was 195,800 but has now declined due migration of the natives to big cities, the 2010 estimates place it as low as 178,412.
Sagamu the new seat of the Akarigbo of Remo
("King" or "Lord" of Remo), the traditional ruler of the Remo
Kingdom is a neighboring town to Iperu. The EYO festival, that is now popular in Lagos, Lagos State
originated from Iperu. There are several assertions as to the founding of Iperu. All the assertions have their merits and demerits. From the various assertions one can determine the one which is near accurate. However the common thread among the various assertions is the name of the founder: Princess Akesan. The founder of Iperu was a Princess named Akesan who migrated from Ile Ife with her husband Ajagbe. Both the founder and her husband migrated out of Oyo Alafin (Ile Ife to settle in Iperu.
, which is used in the area's major industry, the production of cement
. Agricultural products of the region include cocoa and kola nuts. Iperu is one of the largest kola nut collecting centers in the country. The kola nut industry supports several secondary industries such as basket
and rope
manufacturing, which are used to store the kola nuts.
Iperu or Iperu Bale Oja is a town near the Ibu River in the Ogun State
Ogun State
Ogun State is a state in South-western Nigeria. It borders Lagos State to the South, Oyo and Osun states to the North, Ondo State to the east and the republic of Benin to the west. Abeokuta is the capital and largest city in the state...
in southwestern Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
. It is the most populous towns in Remo Region of the Ikenne
Ikenne
atIkenne is a Local Government Area in Ogun State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Ikenne at.Ikenne is a town after Sagamu and before Odogbolu and near Ilisan - Remo.It has an area of 144 km² and a population of 118,735 at the 2006 census....
Local Government Area. The entire LGA has an area of 137.13 km² and a population of 178,412 at the 2006 census.
Description
Iperu is the part of the YorubaYoruba people
The Yoruba people are one of the largest ethnic groups in West Africa. The majority of the Yoruba speak the Yoruba language...
cultural region of southwestern Nigeria. The city was founded in the mid-19th century when several small towns united for purposes of defense during the wars brought about by the fall of the Oyo Empire
Oyo Empire
The Oyo Empire was a Yoruba empire of what is today southwestern Nigeria. The empire was established before the 14th century and grew to become one of the largest West African states encountered by European explorers. It rose to preeminence through its possession of a powerful cavalry and wealth...
. Iperu controlled the trade routes between the ports in the Niger Delta
Niger Delta
The Niger Delta, the delta of the Niger River in Nigeria, is a densely populated region sometimes called the Oil Rivers because it was once a major producer of palm oil...
and the Yoruba mainland until the British
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
occupied the area at the end of the 19th century. Iperu has experienced both population and economic growth since the 1950s just like Sagamu
Sagamu
atSagamu or Shagamu is a city and the headquarters of the Local Government Area of the same name in southwestern Nigeria located in Ogun State near the Ibu River.The LGA has an area of 614 km² and a population of 253,412 at the 2006 census....
due to its position between the cities of Ibadan
Ibadan
Ibadan is the capital city of Oyo State and the third largest metropolitan area in Nigeria, after Lagos and Kano, with a population of 1,338,659 according to the 2006 census. Ibadan is also the largest metropolitan geographical area...
and Lagos
Lagos
Lagos is a port and the most populous conurbation in Nigeria. With a population of 7,937,932, it is currently the third most populous city in Africa after Cairo and Kinshasa, and currently estimated to be the second fastest growing city in Africa...
. Iperu is the most centrally placed town in Remo division. Iperu is on a table land, hence, it has erosion problem. The Sagamu - Ibadan
Ibadan
Ibadan is the capital city of Oyo State and the third largest metropolitan area in Nigeria, after Lagos and Kano, with a population of 1,338,659 according to the 2006 census. Ibadan is also the largest metropolitan geographical area...
road which is a Federal road passed through Iperu. Iperu is about five Kilometres to Sagamu, which has a common boundary with it from the south. It is about three kilometres to Ogere which is a western boundary. It is about four kilometres to Ode Remo which is a northern boundary. Iperu land is already in close touch with Ode Remo township. It is about four kilometres to Ilisan, its eastern boundary. You cannot move a kilometre distance without reaching a human habitation among all the Iperu boundary mates. Iperu and its surrounding towns will come together as a unit town within a few years looking at the rate of extension and expansion of all the towns.
The population in 1990 was 195,800 but has now declined due migration of the natives to big cities, the 2010 estimates place it as low as 178,412.
Sagamu the new seat of the Akarigbo of Remo
Akarigbo of Remo
The Akarigbo of Remo or Lord of Remo is a title of Kingship attributed to the Obas or Lords of the Yoruba town of Sagamu . This town and its surrounding areas are part of a larger community known as the Ijebu Kingdom.-Background:...
("King" or "Lord" of Remo), the traditional ruler of the Remo
Ijebu
Ijebu was a Yoruba kingdom in pre-colonial Nigeria. It formed around the fifteenth century. According to legend, its ruling dynasty was founded by Obanta of Ile-Ife...
Kingdom is a neighboring town to Iperu. The EYO festival, that is now popular in Lagos, Lagos State
Lagos State
Lagos State is an administrative division of Nigeria, located in the southwestern part of the country. The smallest in area of Nigeria's states, Lagos State is the most populous state in Nigeria and arguably the most economically important state of the country and west Africa, containing Lagos, the...
originated from Iperu. There are several assertions as to the founding of Iperu. All the assertions have their merits and demerits. From the various assertions one can determine the one which is near accurate. However the common thread among the various assertions is the name of the founder: Princess Akesan. The founder of Iperu was a Princess named Akesan who migrated from Ile Ife with her husband Ajagbe. Both the founder and her husband migrated out of Oyo Alafin (Ile Ife to settle in Iperu.
Economy
The town of Iperu in Remo region is underlain by major deposits of limestoneLimestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
, which is used in the area's major industry, the production of cement
Cement
In the most general sense of the word, a cement is a binder, a substance that sets and hardens independently, and can bind other materials together. The word "cement" traces to the Romans, who used the term opus caementicium to describe masonry resembling modern concrete that was made from crushed...
. Agricultural products of the region include cocoa and kola nuts. Iperu is one of the largest kola nut collecting centers in the country. The kola nut industry supports several secondary industries such as basket
Basket
A basket is a container which is traditionally constructed from stiff fibres, which can be made from a range of materials, including wood splints, runners, and cane. While most baskets are made from plant materials, other materials such as horsehair, baleen, or metal wire can be used. Baskets are...
and rope
Rope
A rope is a length of fibres, twisted or braided together to improve strength for pulling and connecting. It has tensile strength but is too flexible to provide compressive strength...
manufacturing, which are used to store the kola nuts.