WEST AFRICAN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY,

IPAJA, LAGOS.

SUBMITTED TO:

DR. OLANIYI A. OYEKANMI

FOR THE COURSE

EDUCATION, CULTURE, AND SOCIETY (ED 602)

SOCIETY GROUP ASSIGNMENT

BY:

SOCIETY GROUP MEMBERS

AGBOOLA SAMUEL
HABILA JAMES
AKANJI RICHARD
OJO ISRAEL
OGABI OLATUNJI
ABBAH SUNDAY
ALI JULIUS

JUNE, 2019
QUESTION: Walk through Olukunle Akinola, Ipaja, observe and document the
following:

1. Identify 3 major ethnic groups and how they relate with one another

2. How they respond to issues in the community?

3. Is the community educative, conducive and peaceful?

4. How many institutions are there in the community

Introduction:

On the 19th June, 2019, three members of our team (Samuel Agboola, Richard Akanji
and Habila James) representing Group D set out to undertake the assignment. The street
Olukunle Akinola in Ipaja was fully combed and series of activities observed. Our trip
took us to encounter one of the first settlers in Olukunle Akinola as far back as 1974. (45
years back).

Olukunle Akinola, Ipaja: A Brief Historical Background

According to the findings made by the team on the historical heritage of Olukunle
Akinola, the present day Ipaja was originally owned by the Aworis before the Egbados
took steps of legal invasion by quietly and gradually by buying the land in bits from the
Aworis, and as they were buying they were careful to obtain undeniable evidences of
purchase and in such manner the Egbados took over the erstwhile inheritance of the
Aworis in exchange with some negotiated values. Worthy to note according to first hand
narrator is the fact that the Egbados were predominantly Christians as elites and as such
they took over the land in a missionary approach establishing schools via the Anglican
Communion. A good example is one of the oldest Secondary school in Ipaja named
AWORI College, a school established by the Anglican Communion but named in
honour of the initial Awori land. This later became controversial as Aworis laid claim on
it during the legal battle for the land

After many years it became expedient to have a king installed in the society now
predominantly ruled and governed by the Egbados who were educated elites and
connected in government, the Aworis objected the Egbados in nominating a King
claiming that they are the original owners of the land while the Egbados insisted that the
entire area to be governed as now Ipaja Kingdom had been sold and no longer belong to
them. Rather than instigating another Agbekoya war, they resorted to legal system the
cased was judged with relevant evidences in favour of the Egbados. According to Pa
Samuel Dada, the court demanded if the Aworis who claimed to be original owners can
locate or show the court evidences of any sacred place where they worshiped the deities
of their forefathers separated as sacred but the unfortunately the entire place has been
sold for peanuts. So the Aworis lost the case and the Egbados became king over them
save for the Aboru axis where they still have the shrine for the river.

Our principal respondent, Pa Samuel Abiodun Dada was born on the 25 th December,
1928, shared this story to buttress the fact that communal clash was and is a rare thing in
this community. This is a predominantly elites society. The Present day Olukunle
Akinola community was previously known as Osoba road, named after the Egbado man
that bought this area and developments started here in the early 70’s when people started
buying land here. Pa Samuel bought his plot in 1974 alongside others and moved into
the residence in 1984. The community is self governed by the Community Development
Association now known as Idi-Oparun CDA. The executives of this association are from
among the residents and elected by them. This CDA is recognized by government as
legal institution.
Addressing the questions on our observations:

In Olukunle Akinola area, the predominant residents are the Yorubas from different
ethnics and dialects, Osun, Oyo, Ekiti, Ogun in their diversities followed by the Ibos also
in their diversities and very few Northerners. All of them live together in relative peace
and harmony. Small scale businesses are observable in shops and kiosks while majority
elites moves out every morning and returning in the evening or late nights for private or
public civil service or for personal businesses.

As earlier mentioned in the background story, communal issues are resolved mostly
through the established judicial system, while the CDA handles some minor/area
domestic issues and also fosters development.

The community comprised of educated elites and even the 91years Old man we
interviewed speaks very good English with sharp memory. He worked with CFAO
Motors and Guinness Nigeria before retiring. He is still strong and agile confirming the
peaceful co-existence of the community members.

There exist also in the Community, several Churches of varying denominations are
visibly on ground with fewer mosques but with more schools Nursery/Primary &
Secondary. The only higher institution is our own WATS. The peaceful and progressive
existence of WATS in Olukunle Akinola further confirmed the serenity of this
environment making it ready, conducive and friendly for learning.

In conclusion, Akinola Olukunle society is governed and driven by educated elites, hosts
a university seminary of international repute, rich in mixed ethnic culture and language,
the people addresses themselves with respect and observable love. The environmental
layout is serene with clear road networks connecting each other. This society and her
people evidently hospitable and are lovers of development.