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| Deji of Akure, Oba Adesida in white apparel |
The area has long been populated. Skeletons of homo sapiens dating to the tenth millennium BC have been found in a burial site at Iwo Eleru near to Akure. Rock engravings dating back to the Mesolithic period, have been discovered on the outskirts of Akure at Igbara-Oke, declared a national monument on 13 March 1963.
History
Akure's King is known as the Deji of Akure and is supported by six high chiefs or Iwarefa in his or her domain. The totem of Akure is the Leopard and the father of Omoremi Omoluabi was himself called Ekun (this was his regnal name). It is for this reason that every descendant of the Akure clan has been addressed by outsiders as Omo Ekun during the recitation of his or her praise poetry or, alternatively, as 'Omo Akure Oloyemekun', since Omoremi was said to have stayed for a while at Igbo Ooye before coming to the Akure region.
There are several Ruling and Royal houses of Akure, including the Osupa Ruling House which includes the Odudun Royal House and the Ojijigogun Ruling House which includes the Faturoti, Adesida and Arosoye royal houses. After the death or removal of an Oba, a princess regent is appointed, who is expected to oversee the day-to-day administration of the kingdom while the kingmakers select the next Oba from one of the royal houses.
Although the Oba has relocated to a more modern palace, the old building from 1150 AD is still used for all ceremonies.[5] The place has over 15 courtyards, with each having its unique purpose. Ua nla, Ua Ibura, Ua jemifohun, Ua Ikomo are some of the names of the courtyards. For example, in the Ua ubura courtyard, oaths are taken, and the ua Ikomo is used for naming ceremonies.
There are two other autonomous communities with their separate obas and traditions within the modern Akure kingdom. The most prominent is Isikan while the second of these is Isolo. The Oba of Isikan is known as Iralepo while the Oba of Isolo is known as the Osolo of Isolo. In the olden days, these were separate towns that were brought together as a result of wars. Nearby towns include Ilara, Igbaraoke, Iju, Itaogbolu, Idanre, Owo, Ikere and Ondo.
The Oba's Palace in the centre of the town was built in 1150 AD. During its long history, the city-state of Akure was at times independent, at times subject to other states. There is a sizable population of Bini origin. Akure was the main base for Benin's trade in the area, and at times seems to have been considered within the western frontier of Benin. The Benin historian Egharevba refers to suppression of resistance by "rebellious Akure" during the reign of Oba Ewuare of Benin (1440–1473), although the king was allowed to remain as nominal ruler. Another rebellion is recorded a century later during the reign of Oba Ehengbuda of Benin.
Akure had regained independence by the early 19th century, but around 1818 it was recaptured by Benin forces and the Deji was executed. After 1854, Akure and other Ekiti towns came under the rule of Ibadan, which lasted until a rebellion in 1876 followed by a prolonged war between the Yoruba states.
Towards the end of the 19th century the British based on their Lagos Colony had established a protectorate over the area, although they ruled through "native" administrations. The British sought to combine the Ekiti kingdoms of the region into a single administrative unit, against resistance by the Ekiti people who preferred local autonomy. In 1899 Ekiti and Ilesha formed the northeastern division of the protectorate. In 1915, Ekiti, Owo and Ondo were combined to form the Ondo Province with headquarters at Akure. Ondo Province later became part of Western State. In 1976 the old Ondo State was formed, and in 1996 Ekiti State was split off from the modern Ondo State, which has Akure as its capital.
The death in October 1999 of Oba Ataiyese Adebobajo Adesida IV led to a prolonged dispute over the succession, eventually resolved with the appointment of Oba Oluwadamilare Adesina in 2005. Oba Oluwadamilare was dethroned on 10 June 2010 for sacrilegious misdeeds (wife beating) and Adebiyi Adegboye Adesida Afunbiowo II was chosen as the new Deji of Akure on 13 August 2010.
The City
The city has tertiary institutions which include: the Federal University of Technology Akure, Federal College of Agriculture, School of Nursing and Midwifery and School of Health Technology. It also has famous secondary schools like St. Thomas Aquinas College, Oyemekun Grammar School, St. Louis Grammar School, and Fiwasaye Girls' Grammar School. The first two are for boys while the latter two are for girls in the tradition of early schools in Nigeria. The town is also host to Federal Government Girls' College and St. Peter's Unity Secondary School, amongst many others.
Within the modern Akure kingdom are two other autonomous communities with their separate obas and traditions. The most prominent is Isikan while the second of these is Isolo. The Oba of Isikan is known as Iralepo while the Oba of Isolo is known as the Osolo of Isolo. In the olden days, these were separate towns that were brought together as a result of wars. Nearby towns include Ilara, Igbaraoke, Iju, Itaogbolu, Idanre, Owo, Ikere and Ondo. The most influential Deji in recent history was Oba Adesida I who was known as Afunbiowo. Several Dejis after him were his direct descendants.
It also serves as the birthplace of notable Nigerians like Chief Olu Falae (one time presidential candidate of a mega political party who currently reigns as a titled aristocrat of the realm), Chief Reuben Fasoranti (leader of the pan-Yoruba group: Afenifere) and several personalities in the academia Philip Emeagwali, industry, the military, judiciary and the civil service. Philip Emeagwali the Gordon Bell Prize winner was born in Akure while the mother of King Sunny Adé is a native of Akure. Akure is also the hometown of Engr. Julius Alabi, former Chief Executive Officer of Cadbury, and Kole Omotosho. The notable lawyer, Kayode Ajulo is also one of the city's proud products, he attended St. Thomas Aquinas College.
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