Owo
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Owo Ogho Imade |
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|---|---|
| LGA | |
 Owo
|
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| Coordinates: 7°11′N 5°35′E / 7.183°N 5.583°ECoordinates: 7°11′N 5°35′E / 7.183°N 5.583°E | |
| Country | Nigeria |
| State | Ondo State |
| Time zone | WAT (UTC+1) |
| Climate | Aw |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| ~ 425,700 (2011) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
|
Ondo State - 425,700 · Owo Local Government: 258,230 · Osse Local Government: 167,470 |
|
| Religion | |
| Christianity · Yoruba religion · Islam |
Owo is a city in Ondo State of Nigeria. Between 1400 and 1600 AD, it was the capital of a Yoruba city-state. The local government has a population of 222,262, based on 2006 population census.
In their oral tradition, Owo traces its origins back to the ancient city of Ile-Ife, the cradle of Yoruba culture. Oral tradition also claims that the founders were the sons of the Yoruba deity Odudua, who was the first ruler of Ile-Ife. The early art-historical and archaeological records reinforce these strong affiliations with Ife culture. Owo was able to maintain virtual independence from the neighboring kingdom of Benin, but was on occasion required to give tribute. The transmission of courtly culture flowed in both directions between the Benin and the Owo kingdoms. The skill of Owo's ivory carvers was also appreciated at the court of Benin. During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, Benin's rulers increasingly utilized insignia made from ivory, and imported Owo's art objects and recruited its artisans for their own royal workshops. There were other notable artworks that can be evidently supported.
Owo came under British rule in 1893. After Nigeria declared independence in 1960, it was part of the Western Region until 1967 when it became part of the Western State. Owo and its indIgenes played significant roles in the politics of the first Republic in Nigeria. In 1976, it became part of the newly created Ondo State.
The present-day city is an agricultural center involved in the growing and trade of yams, cassava, maize, okra, peppers, cocoa, and cotton. There are however other meaningful commercial activities in the town including but not limited to, timber and sawmilling, Soya beans processing plant and blockmaking industries. The town is dotted with branches of some of the foremost banks like, First Bank Plc,Wema Bank Plc, Skye Bank Plc, Enterprise Bank Ltd. (former Omega Bank Plc) etc. The city is now witnessing a dramatic change due to expansion of its road network, particularly dualization of the main road beginning from Emure junction up to Iyere exit. A new Ultra-modern market is now open in Owo.
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Wikipedia