Imota
| Imota | |
|---|---|
 Imota
|
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| Coordinates: 6°39′50″N 3°40′12″E / 6.66389°N 3.67000°E | |
| Country |
 Nigeria
|
| State | Lagos State |
| Time zone | WAT (UTC+1) |
Imota is a town in Lagos State in Nigeria. Their leaders are called Oba Ranodu of Imota. They are Ijebu-speaking people.
The name Imota is coined from "UMU-OTA" meaning "Near the Ota tree".
The geographical location known as "Imota" derive it name from a contraction "Imu-Ota" meaning "Near the Ota tree". This as a result of the migration of Ranodu and his people from Ijebu-Ode in search of separate kingdom and they settle near the Ota tree which today's regarded as Imota. Since then, it is forbidden for all inhabitants of Imota to make fire with Ota tree.
The history of Imota shows that the first Ranodu was one of the sons of Obaruwa or Obaruwamoda or Arunwa or Ekewa-olu of Ijebu-ode. His Royal Highness Obaruwa was the tenth Awujale on the throne, at Ijebu- Ode. Other sons of Obaruwa presently reigning as important Obas in their respective domains are Alaiye-ode of Ode-Remo and Ewusi of makun both in Remo division of Ogun State and Osobia of makun-omi in Ijebu waterside local government of Ogun State.
Obaruwa was the first Awujale to introduce royal drum called ‘Gbedu’ which they beat not only during the annual "Osi" festival but also to herald the installation of a new Oba or High chief or during any royal ceremony. Also, it is forbidden during "Osi" festival at Ijebu-ode to sound the royal drum, Gbedu unless it is first beaten at the Obaruwa shrine. Obaruwa also has a distinct characteristic; it is only at his shrine that two rams are sacrificed during Osi festival.
Ranodu, an Oro priest with his friend Senlu Olupe-oku, an Eluku and Agemo chief, his cousin Adebusenjo Orederu, an Ifa priest, slaves Osugbo, Oro Liworu, Oro Logunmogbo, Agemo Jamuse, Agemo Esuwele and Eluku Meden-Meden with Obaship paraphernalia, all left Ijebu-Ode together and started the journey in search of separate kingdom. They firstly settled down at Aiyepe and later directed by the Ifa oracle to move onward.
During the historical journey, Ranodu passed through Oko Mayon where he left Royal signs, they briefly settled at Idado near sagamu, Idado is known today as ‘Agbala Imota’. At Idado, Ranodu paid homage to Oba Akarigbo of Sagamu and seek for his permission to stay, the king checked his loads and saw beaded crown and other royal insignias, he advised ranodu to cross a river called ‘Eruwuru’ and stay there.
Ranodu named Eruwuru as Ajura which is now called Sabo in Sagamu. After their settlement, Ranodu and his people decided to celebrate Agemo festival in which Oba Akarigbo got angry of not been informed about their action and sent two his guards to stop the occasion, the guards were killed and the aftermath results into directive from Ifa Oracle for them to leave the place to Isopo where he and his people had another brief rest, he left behind some members of his entourage migrating southwards.
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Wikipedia