Random Article Summary #117

The Dagburewe of Idowa is an important royal title in southern Nigeria. It has lasted for more than 300 years. The title has continued to exist over a very long time. This makes it one of the major royal titles that still survives in the region. The Ijebu Native Administration was organized into six districts led by district chiefs. Four major crowned chiefs included the Akarigbo, Dagburewe, Olowu, and Ajalorun, while the other two were the Bale of Ijebu Igbo and the Olisa, a key chief next to the Awujale in Ijebu Ode. In Ijebu Ode, the Olisa (beginning with Pa Senko in 1850 and followed by his descendants) played an important role in decision-making, but over time its power decreased as political and provincial structures changed. Today, the Olisa’s role is much smaller, similar to that of a modern mayor, and Dr. Badejo Oluremi Adebonojo Sr. helped document these historical facts. The Awujale led the administration as the Native Authority with executive and legislative powers, supported by a Judicial Council made up of district heads. The council also acted as a superior court over Native Courts led by town rulers, while British local officials supervised the entire system. The Adebonojo family comes from the Dagburewe Royal family of Ijebu Idowa in Ijebu province, Ogun State, and is Yoruba. There is one Adebonojo family descended from Oba Dagburewe Adebonojo, the Dagburewe of Ijebu Idowa. Oba Dagburewe Adebonojo of Ijebu Idowa was a well-educated sanitary inspector in the early 1920s who lived in Ijebu Ode on Bonojo Street, and was chosen as king because people valued education and knowledge of the colonial governors. When he ascended the throne, he added “Ade” to his name, becoming Oba Dagburewe Adebonojo I with wide powers, regularly presiding over court and sometimes acting for the Awujale; he died in the mid-1950s, survived by four wives and 13 children. The title Dagburewe still exists today, though with reduced responsibilities, and the current Dagburewe is Oba Yunusa Adekoya, who has two wives, children, and grandchildren.