Imota
Imota | |
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Nickname(s): OMO IMOTA AYAYO | |
Motto: IMOTA AYAYO | |
![]() ![]() Imota Location in Nigeria | |
Coordinates: 6°39′50″N 3°40′12″E / 6.66389°N 3.67000°E | |
Country |
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State | Lagos State |
Government | |
• Type | IMOTA IS A LCDA UNDER IKORODU LG |
Time zone | WAT (UTC+1) |
IMOTA is a town in Lagos State in Nigeria. Their leaders are called OBA RANODU OF IMOTA. They are Ijebu-speaking people.
Ancient existence of IMOTA
Etymology The name Imota is coined from “UMU-OTA” meaning “Near the Ota tree”.
History
The ancient town is situated along the popular ikorodu-ijebu ode highway that is a gateway to eastern part of Nigeria and lies North-east of Lagos. Imota is the headquarters of imota local council development area of Lagos state. RANODU is the title of the oba of imota. The first ranodu, was one of the sons of obaruwa or baruwamoda of Arunwa or Ekewa-olu of ijebu-ode. The other known sons of obaruwa presently reigning as important Obas in their respective domains are the Alaiye-ode of Ode-Remo, and the Ewusi of makun, sagamu, both in REMO Division of Ogun state and osobia of makun-omi in ijebu waterside local government of Ogun state. Obaruwa was the first Awujale to introduce Royal Drum called “Gbedu” which has been used not only during the annual “Osi” festival but also to herald the installation of a new OBA, High chief or during any royal ceremony. Since then, it is forbidden during “OSI” festival at ijebu-ode to sound the Royal drum (Gbedu) unless it is first beaten at the obaruwa shrine. Obaruwa also has a distinct characteristic, it is only at his shrine that two rams are sacrificed during “Osi” festival. However, the first Ranodu and his people migrated from ijebu-ode and passed through Oko Mayon where he left Royal signs. Ranodu briefly settled at Idado near sagamu. Idado is known today as “Agbala imota” near sagamu. In obedience to Ifa Oracle, Ranodu left Idado for Isopo where he and his people had brief rest where he also left behind some members of his entourage migrate migrated southwards, Ranodu and his entourage also stopped at Odo-Onosa, from where he finally left for his permanent place of settlement. He also left behind some of his people and Oro Liworu (which is begin worshipped till today) by the people of Odo-Onosa. Ranodu and his people finally settled near an “ota” tree. The town derived her present name “IMOTA” from the phrase, IMU-OTA. This is why it is forbidden for the inhabitants of imota to make fire with Ota tree. Throughout his journey to the point of his final settlement at “IMU-OTA”. Ranodu was fully accompanied by the Osugbo, Oro Liworu, Agemo Jamuse, Agemo Esuwele, Ifa oracle, Eluku Meden-Meden, amongst others. The pristine of eminence of the Ranodu of imota has never been in doubt. In the days of the western regional Government; the Ranodu was always a member of the house of chiefs. And when Lagos state was created in 1967, the Ranodu has been and still a member of the state Council of Obas and chiefs.
Names of hotels and Guest house in Imota
- Jummybabs Guest House
- Uptown hotel
- Golden super Hotel
- Antorence hotel
- Seamayes Hotel
- Embassy Hotel
Past and Present Leaders of Imota
- Oba Seniu olupe-oku Oba Senlu Olope-Oku-1610-1616
- Oba Aladesuwasi-through lfa oracle prediction 2nd Senlu-1640-1665.
- Oba Lasademo-through lfa oracle prediction-1669-1687.
- Oba Orewaiye Olugayan-the first indigenous Oba from the lineage of Oba Obaruwa 10th Awujale of ljebu-ode-1690-1731
- Oba Ore Oye 3rd Senlu-1734-1770
- Oba lgara 4th Senlu-1772-1793.
- Oba Ademokun from 1796-1817- 2nd Lasademo
- Oba Arowuyo from 1820-1854-2nd Olugayan,
- Oba Oyemade 1st- through lfa prediction 1856-1881.......the Eggs inter-tribal war between 1881-1893 attacked lmota and no reigning Oba then.
- Oba Okumona Olufoworesete 1st through the influence of his first wife Princess lge Mayandenu Olugayan from 1894-1917.
- Oba Akindehin.......popularly called Oba Onisuru from 1917- 1920 3rd Lasademo
- Oba lge Okuseti.......from lineage of Oba Rowuyo from 1921-1935 3rd Olugayan.
- Oba Shaibu Awotungase.......popularly called Oba Daranoye from 1936-1949 4th Olugayan
- Oba Albert Adesanya Adejo.......Biz Oyemade 2nd popularly called (Kiniun Iga) from 1951-1981
- Oba Lawrence Adebola Oredoyin.......Senlu d 5th 1981-1993.
- Oba Mudasiru Ajibade Bakare Agoro.......Olufoweresete 2nd 1993 to date.