Iyah-Gbede

Iyáh-Gbẹdẹ is a town located off Km 20 of the Kabba-Ilorin federal highway, and along the Ayegunle-Abuji Road.[1] It is in Ijumu local government area of Kogi State, central Nigeria. It is 300 kilometers away from Abuja, the country's capital, 430 kilometers from Lagos, and 23 kilometers from Kabba town. It has the GPS coordinates 7.85674 / 5.94916 and Postcode 261103.


It is in Kogi West senatorial district and Kabba/Ijumu federal constituency, and is one of the seven “Gbede” towns that consist of Ayegunle, Ayetoro , Araromi, Ayeh, Iyáh, Odokoro, and Okoro. Inhabitants of Iyáh-Gbẹdẹ speak a local variant of Okun and Gbede, which are dialects of the Yoruba language.


Iyáh shares boundaries with Ayegunle Gbede and Ayetoro Gbede. The boundary between Iyáh and Ayetoro is delineated by Jemibewon International Academy, while the boundary with Ayegunle is at a stream called “Omi Oso”.[2] The town is well-known for its high quality palm wine; people from the surrounding villages and towns in Okunland visit Iyáh weekly, to enjoy palm wine drinking.[3] The town is also famous for its "Egungun Epa" annual masquerade festival, which is one of the tourist attractions in Kogi State.[4]


Some of the prominent families in the town include The Ayinmodes, The Jemibewons, The Mowaiyes, The Ologes, The Ayenis, The Omoles, The Fagbemis, The Jeminiwas etc. Some of the schools in Iyáh-Gbẹdẹ are Calvary Academy Nursery and Primary School,[5] Baptist LGEA School,[6][7] Rehoboth Faith Academy,[8][9] De-International Success Academy Nursery and Primary School,[10] UBE Junior Secondary School,[11] Baptist Secondary Commercial School,[12] and Jemibewon International Academy.[13]

History

The name of the original village was derived from the term "Iyáh ni" which means "fast to reach", due to its strategic central location amongst the neighbouring towns and villages. The original Iyáh settlement is believed to have been founded by Owa from Ile-Ife. The people of Iyáh-Gbẹdẹ have been renowned as great warriors from ancient times, particularly during the Nupe wars of the 19th century.[14]


The history of Iyáh-Gbẹdẹ began at the village's old site called “Iyáh lókè”, situated approximately 4 kilometers up the hill from the present settlement. “Iyáh lókè” grew into a big village with three main suburbs called “Oke meta”. These are Okeya, Ganran and Okekiti. The present settlement started with movement from “Iyáh lókè” circa 1965/66 and was completed in 1985 - a total period of about 20 years.[15]


On 9 January 2017, fifty-five year old Chief Ayeni Olusegun Williams, who hails from Iyáh-Gbẹdẹ, was elected as the 4th Olujumu of Ijumu Kingdom, sequel the demise of the previous Olujumu, late Oba Jerome Sumonu in 2014.[16] The current Olu (king) of Iyáh-Gbẹdẹ, His Royal Highness Oba David Ibitayo Faleke, was crowned in July 2017.[17]


As part of efforts to document the history of the town, a book titled "The Story of Iyah Gbẹdẹ" has been written by Chief Sam Adejuwon Ayinmode.[18][19] The town is also mentioned in the book "The Okun People of Nigeria" authored by John Otitoju.[20]

Notable people

David Medaiyese Jemibewon, born 20 July 1940, is a retired Nigerian Army Major-General who served as military governor of the now defunct Western State (August 1975 – March 1976) during the military regime of General Murtala Muhammed, and as governor of Oyo State after it had been created from part of the old Western State (March 1976 -July 1978) during the military regime of General Olusegun Obasanjo; and later as Minister of Police Affairs in the cabinet of President Olusegun Obasanjo after the return to democracy (1999 to 2000).

John Olatunde Ayeni (born April 4, 1967) is a Nigerian lawyer, investor, business magnate and philanthropist. He holds board positions in various companies throughout Nigeria.

References
  1. Rehoboth Faith Academy (January 15, 2021). "Rehoboth". Rehoboth Faith Academy Website. Retrieved 2021-01-15.
  2. Admin (September 9, 2014). "HISTORY OF IYAH GBEDE". African Heritage Magazine. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  3. Admin (September 9, 2014). "HISTORY OF IYAH GBEDE". African Heritage Magazine. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  4. Belladmin (Not shown). "Kogi State Tourist Sites". Bellafricana. Retrieved 2021-01-25. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. Rehoboth Faith Academy (January 15, 2021). "Rehoboth". Rehoboth Faith Academy Website. Retrieved 2021-01-15.
  6. Jannah News (January 15, 2021). "Nigeria | BAPTIST ILGEA IYAH GBEDE | 104 in IYAH GBEDE FEES, Registration, Contacts". Jannah News. Retrieved 2021-01-15.
  7. My School Arena (January 16, 2021). "Baptist Lgea School Iyah Gbede". MySchoolArena.com. Retrieved 2021-01-16.
  8. NAPPS (January 15, 2021). "REHOBOTH FAITH ACADEMY, IYAH-GBEDE". NAPPS (National Association of Proprietors of Primary Schools). Retrieved 2021-01-15.
  9. Rehoboth Faith Academy (January 15, 2021). "Rehoboth". Rehoboth Faith Academy Website. Retrieved 2021-01-15.
  10. Facebook User (April 15, 2018). "National Youth Service Corps, NYSC (May 23rd 2017 to April 23rd 2018). De-International Success Academy Nursery and Primary School, Iyah Gbede, Ijumu Local Government Area, Kogi State". Facebook. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  11. My Spot Finder (November 14, 2018). "UBE Junior Secondary School Iyah Gbede". My Spot Finder. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  12. Facebook User (December 5, 2009). "Baptist Secondary Commercial school Iyah-Gbede Kogi State - Home". Facebook. Retrieved 2021-01-15.
  13. Itodo Daniel Sule (August 5, 2018). [www.https://dailytrust.com/jemibewon-international-academy-graduates-pioneer-students-264264 "Jemibewon International Academy graduates pioneer students"]. Daily Trust. Retrieved 2021-01-09.
  14. Otitoju, John (2002). The Okun People of Nigeria. WEPCOM Publishers. p. 127. ISBN 978307332X.
  15. Admin (September 9, 2014). "HISTORY OF IYAH GBEDE". African Heritage Magazine. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
  16. Kogi Reports (Apr 23, 2017). "Ayeni Olusegun Williams Installed as Olujumu-Elect". Kogi Reports. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  17. Facebook Group: Samuel Adegboyega University, Dip Two Mass Communications (July 24, 2017). "KOGI ALGON CHAIRMAN CONGRATULATES NEW MONARCHS". Facebook. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  18. Chief Sam Adejuwon Ayinmode (2004). "The story of Iyah Gbẹdẹ". Stafford University Libraries / Catalog Search. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  19. Chief Sam Adejuwon Ayinmode (2004). "The story of Iyah Gbẹdẹ". Google Books. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  20. Otitoju, John (2002). The Okun People of Nigeria. WEPCOM Publishers. p. 127. ISBN 978307332X.

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