Being an integral part of the Oyo extraction of the Yoruba race, the present day Ago-Are was founded by the first monarch, Aare Olaniya in 1868.
Which local government is Ago Are?
Situated in Atisbo Local Government, Oke-Ogun, Northern part of Oyo State in Western Nigeria; Ago-Are was coined from the Aare chieftaincy title. Linguistically, and according to customary usages, “AGO” means a settlement or a town while “AARE” on the other hand is the shortened form of “Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba nation and it translates to mean the Supreme War Chief/Commander or the Generalissimo of Yorubaland. Hence, Ago-Are implies the town of the supreme war commander.
History has it that the Aare forebears bore the monarchical title of “Ekeje” and not “Aare” until when the last bearer of the title, Ekeje Akinoso Oluwonde Alao Sao; a warrior of note and gallant combatant, rescued the Old Oyo Empire when it was literarily brought to its knee by the Prime Minister of the empire at that time, Bashorun Olapeto nicknamed Bashorun Gaa, who infamously usurped the power and authority of Alaafin Abiodun Adegoolu.
How was the name Ago Are was formed?
In the fierce and heroic military campaign, Ekeje Oluwonde Alao Sao (son of Ajibesin Adensile, an Ikole-Ekiti Prince who had earlier migrated to Onko province of the old Oyo Empire) ousted the Bashorun Gaa and the host of his rebel forces across the empire. As a result of the military accomplishment, Alaafin Abiodun Adegoolu rewarded the heroic exploits, popularity, courage and carriage of Ekeje Akinoso Oluwonde Alao Sao and installed him as the Third Aare Onakakanfo in the history of Yoruba land.
With that, the monarchical title of Ekeje gave way for the more popular, distinguished and superior Aare, the shortened form of Aare Onakakanfo. Hence, the name of the town, Ago-Aare (Settlement of the Aare Onakakanfo).
What is Ago Are known for?
Ago Are is known for its core values which are based on integrity, loyalty and hospitality. The natives exhibit good respect and care for the strangers. They also cherish the reputation of their progenitors. This accounts for the choice of Ago Are as site for the residence and operating headquarters of the officials of British American Tobacco Company as far back as 1940 among other reputable organisations. The basic norms within the community revolve around respect: respect for the constituted authorities, leadership, the elders, one another as well as self. Arrogance is abhorred to a great extent.
Who is the king of Ago Are?
Oba Dr Abodunrin Kofoworola with other traditional rulers
The current King of Ago Are is Oba Dr Abodunrin Kofoworola. He became the Aare of Ago-Are on January 13, 2016 and was officially coronated by the Late Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi on Thursday, March 24, 2016.
What is the major occupation of the people of Ago Are?
The pre-dominant occupation in the town is agriculture particularly of perennial crop (Cashew, Shear butter, Tobacco), cash crops (Yam, Cassava, Maize, Guinea corn, etc.) as well as animal husbandry and poultry farming. The town is surrounded by a vast terrain of savanna vegetation with favorable climate for all sorts of perennial cropping and livestock breeding. Agro-processing, Agro-allied trading activities as well as transportation, craftsmanship and artisanship are common ventures with the Ago-Aare youths, male and female.
Is there a connection between Christianity and evolution of Western education in Ago Are community?
It has been said that there is a connection between Christianity and evolution of Western education in Ago-Are community. The First Baptist Church in Ago-Are was undoubtedly the harbinger of Western education in the community. As the founder and proprietor of the foremost primary school, First Baptist Day School, Ago-Are instituted in 15th February, 1937 now First Baptist Primary School, Ago-Are and the defunct Baptist Modern Secondary School established in 1963, currently Baptist Secondary Grammar School, Ago-Are (BASEGA); the church closed the gate of ignorance and opened the heart of the residents in the community to awareness and knowledge of Western learning. Without a doubt, the church laid a formidable foundation for education to be well-grounded in the community and by that, it is unlikely to find a house unit without at least a graduate in Ago-Are community.
What are the traditional symbols of the people of Ago Are?
Remember that Ago Are was the settlement of warlords.These warlords earned these traditional symbols as marks of distinction:
i. Onduro- the traditional ancient Field Marshal’s baton given to the Paramount Yoruba Supreme War Chief (Aare Onakakanfo)
ii. Ade Olori Ogun- an embroidered crown called ‘Ade Amijigi’ (Swingling Crown)
iii. Awo-Ekun- apparel made of Tiger skin.
Are there Public institutions in Ago Are?
Today, Ago Are has grown to become the abode of a good number of public institutions which include: the headquarters, ATISBO South Local Council Development Area, Chief Magistrate Court, Oyo State Ministry of Health (General Hospital, Ago-Are), Oyo State Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources and Rural Development (Cattle Control Post and Kraal Market), The Nigeria Police Force, Mobile Police Squadron 72, Emmanuel Alayande College of Education (Distance Learning Centre), to mention but a few.
Are there notable people from Ago Are?
Below are some of the sons and daughters from Ago Are town.
i. Aare Oluwonde Alao Sao (the third Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba nation who was erroneously addressed as Oyabi in Jonhson’s account of History of Yoruba. He is the first ruler of the town to be addressed as an Aare.
ii. His Royal Majesty, Aare Alawo-Ekun, Oba Abodunrin Oyetunji Kofoworola Olakanla Ph. D, fcai, The Aare and Paramount Ruler of Ago-Are & Chairman, Atisbo Local Government Traditional Council of Obas and Chiefs; Director (rtd) of Human Resource, National Education Research Development Council, NERDC, Sheda, Abuja.
iii. Dr. Zacheous Olusegun Ajuwon, Ex-Personal Physician to the Former President Olusegun Obasanjo; Chief Medical Director (rtd), National Hospital, Abuja; The Chairman, Oke-Ogun Development Consultative Forum (ODCF).
iv. Mr. Timothy Ade Ojeleye, Former Managing Director, Steyr Nigeria Ltd, Lagos; Chief Executive Officer, Pericom.
v. Mr. Caleb A. Olaayan, Former Managing Director, Union Bank.
vi. Mrs. Titilayo Salami Adebisi, Founder, Onik Clinical Nursing Workshop; Advanced Nurse Educator, USA. The Administrator, Ago-Are Indigenes Forum (AAI)
vii. Dr. Deborah Nike Abiola, Doctor of Nursing Practice, United State
viii. Hon. Ayobami Ojo, Former House of Assembly Member (Atisbo/Saki East State Constituency), The Proprietor/CEO Joybam Hotels and Event Centre, New Garage, Challenge, Ibadan.
ix. Hon. Jacob Funmi Ogunmola, The Proprietor/CEO, Glass House Hotels and Event Centre, Abule-Egba, Lagos.
x. Alh. Akeem A. Adesina Managing Director, Bank of Industry, Marina, Lagos.
xi. Engnr. Gbenga Adegbiji GMD, MainOne, Victoria Island, Lagos.
xii. Mr. Kehinde Olatunde, Chief Executive Officer, Nikentolad, Ikeja, Lagos.
xiii. Dr. Seidu Bello, National Hospital, Abuja.
xiv. Prof. Adesoji E. Awoyemi, Department of Guidance and Counselling, Faculty of Education, University of Ibadan.
xv. Prof. Kola Adekunle, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
xvi. Prof. Olalekan E. Ojedokun, Institute of Education, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
xvii. (xiii) Prof. John Olukunle, Faculty of Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure.
xviii. Prof. Ademola Ajuwon, Formers Provost, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan.
xix. Hon. Kehinde Adesiyan, Former Honourable Member Representing Saki East/Saki West/Atisbo Federal Constituency, House of Representative, Abuja.
xx. Hon. Makanjuola Ayoola, Former Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Oyo State
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