HISTORY OF IJAMIDO STATUE, OTA

 IJAMIDO STATUE

This river is located in Ota local government, Ogun state. It was first discovered as a pond by the second person to settle in Ota known as Odejobi who later became the first Onikosi of Osi Quarters around 14th century.

Odejobi discovered this pond that later became a river unexpectedly. He had earlier sent his younger brother by the name Ajibowu to go and fetch water from Iloldimu River that they had crossed earlier before settling at Osi in Ota to prepare the game (a ferocious Buffalo) he had just killed. But Ajibowu went reluctantly to fetch the water and he took a longer time in returning, as a result of this, Odejobi decided to go and fetch the water himself.

On his way, he stumbled on a marshy ground; this made him to pause for a while digging the ground to see what was responsible for his stumbling. To his surprise water started to spring up from the spot and again he discovered many cowries and a water pot.

Odejobi took the water pot and used it to fetch enough water.

Later, he consulted his oracle who instructed him to enshrine both the cowries and the water pot he dug from the marshy spot in his hut, as the pond would become a river that would be useful to himself, his family and the settlements. This he did, revealing his discovery to his people and named the pond/river “Ija mi nibudo” later shortened to “Ijamido” meaning “my quarrel grounded or ends here.” The river was thus named by Odejobi because of his quarrel between him and his brother Ajibowu, who was forced to fetch water.

Further consultation by Odejobi concerning the Ijamido shrine, he was instructed to propitiate the goddess of the river for free flow and everlasting stay of the river.

History also had it that once upon a time, there was a serious outbreak of small pox epidemic on the people of Ota and when the Oracle was consulted, it was said that Ijamido water be fetched to cure all that were afflicted and it was so. Since then, the Ijamido River became very popular and sacred amongst the four quarters of Ota people namely: Otun, Osi, Ijana and Oruba.