Ile-Ogbo: ‘We’re The Rightful Owners Of Odofin Chieftaincy Title’- Olujogun Family

The Olujogun family of Ile-Ogbo in Ayedire local government area of Osun State has refuted claims that it unlawfully took over the Odofin chieftaincy title of Ileogbo, insisting that the position rightfully belongs to its lineage.

It would be recalled that the Ladunwo family has in the recent times been at loggerheads with the Olu of Ileogbo, Oba Abeeb Adetoyese Agbaje over the selection of new Odofin from Olujogun family.

Speaking with journalists on Tuesday, the heads of the Olujogun family lineage, Pa Noah Ajibola Ogidele and Pa Titiloye Oyebamiji Michael, who spoke on behalf of the family said they are the rightful owners of the title.

According to them, their ascendancy of the position “is backed by history and confirmed by traditional authorities”.

Ogidele expressed appreciation to Oba Habeeb Adetoy Agbaje, the Olu of Ile-Ogbo, for his role in restoring the title to its rightful owners.

Ogidele emphasized that the family did not “steal” the position, but merely reclaimed a hereditary title passed down from their forefathers.

According to him, records dating back to the time of Adoke-Wajoye confirm that the Olujogun family originally held the Odofin title before migrating to Ile-Ogbo, where the tradition continued. He explained that temporary changes in the past were made for some social reasons, but that the rightful ownership had now been reaffirmed.

“Our father were the ones have been getting the title since time immemorial. It started before we moved to this present Ileogbo. The last man to occupy the title is called Odofin Ajayi and he when I was 14 year-old. The people from Ladunwo occupied it immediately after him and since then, they have refused to allow us hold it. They have held it three times consecutively. We did protest at each time it was meant for us but no tangible rewards.

The octogenarian continued, “During a time when our father (Ajayi) died, Oba Aderibigbe crowned the family of Ladunwo ODOFIN title due to some reasons. They have been crowned like three times and at each time, we protested but nothing for us. So this last one, Oba Agbaje investigated and saw that it was out turn. So, We got the chieftaincy rightly.”

Another family elder, Mr. Titiloye Oyebamiji Michael, narrated that previous kings of Ileogbo, including Oba Aderibigbe, had at different times recognized members of the Ladunwo family as Odofin only to maintain peace, not as a transfer of lineage rights. He added that the new monarch, after a thorough investigation, confirmed the Olujogun family’s historical ownership of the title.

He said the love for peaceful co-existence among all compounds in Ileogbo was the reason the title has been eluding Olujogun family for years.

He revealed that they two families have been called to the Palace to develop a gazette that will ensure rotation of the title but the other family boycotted the move.

“We have been called to the palace and were at the verge of signing a gazette when they (Ladunwo family) said they don’t want. The gazette was to ensure the position is rotational but they said they don’t want. They said it was an instruction from one of them living abroad.

Also speaking, Mr. Adeagbo Sabitu, another member of the Olujogun family, said power struggles over the Odofin title had lingered for years, but that justice had finally prevailed. He thanked Oba Agbaje for handling the matter with fairness and integrity, saying the monarch neither collected bribes nor showed favoritism throughout the process.

Sabitu stressed that the Olujogun family had chosen the path of peace despite provocation, believing that truth and history would vindicate them. He urged the Ladunwo family and other stakeholders to respect the king’s ruling and support harmony in the community.

The family reaffirmed its commitment to upholding peace, unity, and the cultural heritage of Ile-Ogbo, urging all residents to put the dispute behind them and work together for the town’s progress.