I found the piece below presented by Osilaja Tholulopeh Oluwabunmy and thought it a responsibility to record and re-present for evaluation and re-evaluation.
True or fable? Our comments may be important…
1. Ijebus were the first people to have contact with Europeans in 14th century.
2. Ijebus were the first to be educated by western education.
3. Ijebu is the largest Ethnic group in Nigeria.
4. First people to manufacture gears of wars in history of Nigeria.
5. First people to contend the slavery extortion in the region.
6. The first people to invent money made from cowry shell, later made Coin called “PANDORA”, which acceptable through Africa and Europe.
7. Ijebus were first settlement in Lagos and Ibadan.
8. Ijebu is the only tribe in nigeria that has its origin from bible days.
9. According to the Biblical account, The Jebusites were a Canaanite tribe who inhabited and built Jerusalem prior to its conquest by King David
10. Ijebu was the first indigenious CLERK to European missionaries.
11. The Europeans Observers found them more intelligent than the other groups in Nigeria.
12. When Oduduwa was blind, Ijebu King (fifth Awujale) was the one to provide remedy to restore the sight.
13. Ijebu known for sociality, integrity, and Hardwork.
14. Ijebu was the one to raise agitation for emancipation from colonialism.
15. Ijebu King(Orimolusi) was second Oba appointed by colonial master for London conference in 1957 to negotiate Independence.
16. Chief Obafemi Awolowo was the first individual in the modern era to be named Leader of the Yorubas (Asiwaju Omo Oodua)
17. The richest black woman in the world, Mrs Folorunsho Alakija, is an Ijebu woman from Ikorodu Lagos(waterside Ijebu)
18. Ijebu man was first Nigerian to play in English premier league in early 60.
18. Ijebu famous with Egungun festival, Agemo festival, Ileya festival etc.
19. Mike Adenuga, an Ijebu man was first nigerian to singlehandedly own Oil Mining and Telecomunicatio n (GLO)
20. Ijebu man was first musician to perform outside the shore of Nigeria.
What a great National!
The Regional capital is Ijebu Ode.
The Commercial capital is Sagamu
The Spiritual capital is Ijebu Igbo
These facts are very interesting and I’m not disputing any of them. But, unfortunately, no references to many of them. Also, many “firsts” claimed, the individuals are not named, eg. points #2, 10, 14, 18 & 20. then some “facts” are contestable, eg claims #1, 2, 3, 4, 7, and 20. Also, what’s the proof that the Jebusites in the Bible were the ancestors of modern day Ijebus?
One last point: how do you reconcile the current Awujale’s claim of Ijebu’s descent from Wadai and this claim of Biblical (Jebusite) descent? And by the way, are Ijebus descendants of Oduduwa, and if is yes, don’t you see conflicts in the claims of either Wadai and/or Jebusites descent?
Again, I’m not disputing any of the claims, just asking for clarifications.
Many thanks