HISTORY OF MADOGA

HISTORY OF MADOGA

About Madoga: MADOGA is a town founded by the settlers in early Eighteenth (18) Century and situated in in the present day Ipokia Local Government of Ogun State. It is a border town that shared common boundary with Benin Republic. It drives its name from River Modogan located at Modogan Agbaje village in Benin Republic that was the only source of water to the town then. The then government effort to solve this water problem led to the digging of a local well at Madoga market square in 1910 (date boldly written on the wall of the well and visible till 1976 based on the oral interview granted by Elder Joseph Kolawole Ojuolape from Lederun family) to reduce the suffering and provide water to the people. The population of the town is put at about Seven Thousand (7,000).

History of Madoga: History have it that the people of Madoga migrated from Old Oyo Empire to Igbosumo, Isakete, Ifonyin, Itako, Igolo, Ikotun, Ijaka etc. before the struggle and partition for Africa that gave birth to Republic of Nigeria and Benin. The people later left their various places to the present location that is Madoga town for settlement. The British government in 1892 after the struggle and partition for Africa erected a Pillar in Madoga to demarcate the boundary between Nigeria and Benin Republic.

“According to Professor Anthony I. Asiwaju (the Dean of Partitioned Africans) of Imeko in Yewaland of Ogun State that  The Demarcation of the French and Nigeria boundaries was carried out in 1892” From a legal point of view the boundary is clearly defined by two Anglo-French agreements of 1906 and 1914.

After the erection of British Pillar, people from other communities around, begins to refer to Madoga as “Biriti” which is the Anago dialect of calling British. The people speaks Yoruba language in Anago Ifonyin dialect.

Land in Madoga: Madoga town is a town with very nice landscape as it has no mountains nor canals. The land is very good for farming, housing and industrial projects. It is also one of the few towns without land dispute issues, any misunderstanding between the families on land issues are quickly been resolved by heads of the families and traditional chiefs

Madoga Route Map: Madoga is located at a junction town where route from Ilashe, Alaari, Ifonyintedo, Ita-Ege terminated before crossing the border to Benin Republic. Also, route from Oja-Odan, Imule, Iropo, Ilagbe also terminated at Madoga before crossing the border to Benin Republic. It is therefore one of the border communities in Ogun State.

Madoga Market: The town has a Madoga Market founded in 1974 that spread across the Border of Nigeria into Benin Republic and creates a mutual and inter border relationship between the towns and communities on both sides. This Madoga Market is a major hub for sales of Maize, Cassava and Waterleaf, as major buyers comes from cities around Abeokuta and Lagos. It is also meeting point for farmers from other towns and villages around like Ita-Ege, Ajilende, Iledu, Ilagbe, Iropo etc. in Nigeria and across the border to bring their farm products for sale and buy in exchange food for ingredients and other items brought by traders from Ifonyintedo, Oke-Odan, Owode Yewa and Lagos. Madoga, despite being a border town has only Immigration Check Point while the Post is located at Ifonyintedo which is Six (6) Kilometres away and Custom Post at Ita-Ege another Five (5) Kilometres distance to Madoga.

Educational Institutions in Madoga: The search for education in Madoga is very expensive and rigorous, as the only School in the town is Baptist Day Primary School, Madoga founded in 1946 which serves other towns and villages around. The children of Madoga do trek twelve (12) kilometres every day to and from Community Commercial Academy, Ifonyintedo in search of Secondary School Education.

The efforts of Community Development Association (CDA), financial and moral contributions of children of the town within and outside Nigeria towards having a Secondary School of their own to reduce the stress of trekking twelve (12) kilometres daily to the only Secondary School located at Ifonyintedo. This efforts led to the establishment of Community High School, Madoga for the benefits of the town and other communities around like Ajelende, Iledu, Ilagbe, Iropo etc.

However, children of the town have commenced classes in Church buildings while the buildings of the Community High School, Madoga are still under construction for the past Four (4) years due to the financial handicap of the people.

The efforts of Late Mr. Anthony Falolu and Late Mr. Solomon Adebisi Folalu that are the first educationist in teaching profession from the town. They both rose to the position of Head Teacher and contributed to the educational development of the town by becoming a Head teacher of Baptist Day Primary School, Madoga before their retirement. Late Mr. Anthony Falolu also helped many indigene of the town to gain admission into Secondary Schools. Among those he helped were; Late Daniel Fayomi to Baptist High School Ilaro, Ogun State and Chief Fayomi Solomon Adebayo to Community Secondary Modern School Ipokia, Ogun State in 1976/77 session.

Hospital in Madoga: It is unfortunate that Madoga town has no functional Hospital. The people of Madoga town have been leaving at the expense of Quack Doctors in private clinics as there is no single presence of government Health Care structure. The town through community efforts started process of building the Community Health Centre in 1988 and eventually commissioned the building for use in year 2005. However, the building has becomes dilapidated as no help is forth coming from the governments towards the renovation.

The unfortunate aspect of it all, is that sick people from Madoga do cross the border to Benin Republic for medical treatment as the town Medical facility is not functioning.

Efforts are still on to ensure that the children of the town become Medical Doctors. However, one Mr. Victor Falolu has qualified as a Nurse.

Volunteers NGO in Madoga: In a mass campaign synchronized between eight West African countries that has aimed to reach more than 50 million children with the polio vaccine. On 30th March 2009 a team of health workers under UNICEF led by one Chris Morgan was at Madoga, where trained community health workers from Nigeria and Benin Republic work together to reach all the children in the community, as Nigeria was identified as one of the four countries in the world with endemic polio.

Town crier Shoe Wasino urges families to bring their children to be immunized in Nigeria’s national polio vaccination campaign.

Business in Madoga: The major occupations of people of Madoga are subsistence farming and petty trading. Their farming is characterized with the use of local tools such as; Hoes and Cutlasses for their farming. They majorly cultivate Maize, Cassava and Vegetables. Madoga is a major hub for sales of Maize, Cassava and Waterleaf, as buyers comes from major cities like Abeokuta, Idumota and Mile 12 in Lagos. They are also travelers, as they do travels out in search of handwork/trades and western education. Most children of the town are in major towns of Nigeria. Madogans could be found in countries such as; Gabon, Togo, Cameroon, Ghana, Benin Republic etc.

One of the business that has promoted the growth and survival of Madoga is transportation. This transportation business was brought to the town by Late Alhaji Hassan Giwa – Alias “Oba bi Olorun Ko Si” This business helps in transporting Agricultural products produced by the farmers in the town and communities around to major towns and cities like Owode-Yewa, Lagos, Abeokuta and Ibadan.

Late Alhaji Hassan Giwa – Alias “Oba bi Olorun Ko Si” business idea of transportation influenced many indigenes of the town and communities around, among them were  Late Joseph Fayomi, Late Isaac Fayomi and Late Sunday Fayomi that jointly purchased a commercial lorry with the inscriptions “SIBE SIBE OLUWA NBE PELU MI’ driven by one Mr. Aliu Alagere Alias “Atela Baba Semiu” written by the front doors of the lorry. He is a native of Ifonyintedo and uses the lorry for the transportation of Agricultural products to the major towns and cities for sale like their mentor (Late Alhaji Hassan Giwa – Alias “Oba bi Olorun Ko Si”)

Festivals in Madoga: The people of Madoga like other towns in Yewaland are known for Traditional worship. They do celebrates Egungun (Masquerade), Gelede, Oro Cult, Ifa and Sango (God of Thunder) festivals. Despite the celebrations of these traditional gods, they still maintains cordial relationship with the Christians and Muslims in the community.

Church in Madoga: Madoga is Christians dominated community and as of today, it has many Churches. Among the Churches in Madoga are; Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church, Madoga established in 1933 and located at Market Square and still standing till today. First Baptist Church Madoga founded in 1949, The Apostolic Church, Madoga in 1962 and many other Pentecostals Churches. The most important aspect of Madoga is her peaceful co-existence that have been existing between the religion bodies, indigenes and non-indigenes and neighbouring communities since they settled on the land in early 18^th century.

Mosque in Madoga: There is only one Mosque in Madoga and it is located at the Market square of the town. Muslim communities in Madoga has produced the followings as Imam since the inception of Islam in the town; (1) Imam Bello Mallam (2) Imam Abdul Raman Adebimpe (3) Imam Amusa and (4) Imam Mustapha Adebimpe.

Traditional Worship: Before the arrival of the Missionaries in Madoga the people have been practicing traditional religion through the worship of Oro Cult, Masquerade (Egungun), God of Iron (Ogun), God of Thunder (Sango), Ifa etc. Many of these traditional worshipers are now converting to Christianity and Islam. However, they still relates with each other without any problem in the town e.g. Late Esun Kehinde was the ALAPINI EGUNGUN (the African Cultic Masquerade in Nigeria) of Madoga and the environs during his life time and Chief Oluwakamisi Koselu – “THE AARE ISEGUN OF IPOKIA KINGDOM”.

Royal Institution: Madoga is one of the oldest town in Anago Ifonyin land, but has not been ruled by a King. Madogans are majorly of Ifonyin extraction that understands and believes in their common heritage and relationship. They have been, for many years organised and ruled by heads of the families that do meet and allowed the oldest family head to preside over issues in the community.

The appearance of government in the affairs of Madoga witnessed the installation of Chief Kumolu Alemu as the first Baale of Madoga. Subsequently, Chief Falola Agbadamu, Chief Akinyemi Sanya and current Chief Solomon Adewunmi Fatorisa has presided over the affairs of the town as Baales.

However, after the demise of each Baale there use to be vacuum that always allows for an acting Baale that are been referred to as “ADELE BAALE”, these vacuums many times have lasted for many years, and made it possible for Chief Alemu Adam to rule after the demise of Chief Kumolu Alemu and Chief Falola Agbadamu. Chief Adenle, Chief Julius Dopemu and Chief Alabi Olaifa also ruled after the demise of Baale Falola and Akinyemi Sanya respectively.

Ruling Houses in Madoga: In other to maintain the inherited peaceful co-existence among the people and families of the village. The heads of the families met at Ikotun family house discussed and agreed on the division of the village into FOUR (4) RULING HOUSES which co-incidentally agreed with the Four (4) areas that has previously produced Baales e.g. (1) Chief Kumolu Alemu from Kumolu Ruling House, (2) Chief Falola Agbadamu from Falola Ruling House, (3) Chief Akinyemi Sanya from Ijaka Ruling House, and (4) Chief Solomon Adewunmi Fatorisa from Isale-Imedu Ruling House.

Each of the Ruling Houses are comprised of the following families:

1. Kumolu Ruling House has; ((i) Kumolu family, (ii) Lederun family, (iii) Eewumi (Folalu) family, (iv) Alemu (Adam) family, (v) Oke – Ijere family, and (vi) Ajibade family).
2. Falola Ruling House has; ( (i) Falola family, (ii) Igbado Kekere (Adewunmi) family, (iii) Igbado Lila (Bamigbade) family, and (iv) Dopemu family).
3. Ijaka Ruling House has; ((i) Sanya (Igesu) family, (ii) Ikotun (Esubiyi) family, (iii) Akinosi (Igolo) family).
4. Isale – Imedu Ruling House has; ((i) Fatorisa Family, (ii) Akinola family, (iii) Olorunto (Oloko-Oje) family, (iv) Mapapa (Baba) family, (v) Adimu (Igboku) family.

Town Hall in Madoga: The foundation laid ceremony of Madoga Town Hall was conducted in year 2011 and was witnessed by Honourable Isiaq Akinlade a member of House of Representatives and Political leaders in Anago Ifonyin Land. The project is still at about seventy percent (70%) completion. This big project is the sole efforts of the Community Development Association (CDA) of the town.

Telephone in Madoga: The Airtel Service Provider makes history in Madoga on 31^st May, 2021 as the Mars constructed to enable the town and other villages around enjoy the service of smartphones which has eluded the communities since arrival of the service in Nigeria. The whole border communities breath sign of relieve as the people can now dropped SIM cards of Benin Republic Service Providers for Nigeria own and also be able to communicate with their children, relations, friends and business partners in Lagos and other cities of the world.

Politics and Madoga: Indigenes of Madoga town have been involved in Politics since 1956 especially during the period of Actions Group and other political parties. They play active role during Chief Obafemi Awolowo tenure as the Premier of the Western Region. Late Chief Emmanuel Alade Fayomi JP was sworn in Ibadan the Western Region Capital as a member of Customary Court of Ifonyintedo in 1958 and served for many years before his death.

The town produced Honourable Emmanuel Busayo Folalu as the first Councillor for “Madoga Ward” under the umbrella of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2016 to 2019 Political dispensation when Governor Ibikunle Amosun was the Executive Governor of Ogun State.

Electricity in Madoga: Chief Olusegun Osoba the Executive Governor of Ogun State between 1999 and 2003 ordered the extension of Electricity light from Ifonyintedo through Ita-Ege, Ajelende and Iledu communities to the town on 12^th October, 2001. The communities will remains grateful to His Excellency for this great gesture.

Law Enforcement Agencies in Madoga: The Nigeria Law Enforcement Agencies of the Nigeria Police Force and Nigerian Custom Service do patrol the town and sometimes carried out stop and search along the roads within the community. It is only the Nigerian Immigration Service that has an outpost at the border where citizens going in and out of Nigeria are been routinely checked.

The activities of law enforcement agencies in the town is not strange as many of the children of the town are in various agencies. Among them are; Mr. Gabriel Olaibi a retired Nigerian Custom Officer, Mr. Solomon Adewunmi Fatorisa a retired Nigerian Army (NA) officer (Baale of Madoga), Mr. Nicholas Falolu a retired Nigerian Army Officer, CSP Fayomi Solomon Adebayo rtd a retired Chief Superintendents of Police, Late Mr. Daniel Fayomi of the Nigeria Police Force, DSP Mufutau Abubakar rtd a retired Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mr. Abraham Fayomi an Assistant Superintendent of Police, Late Joshua Adewunmi an Assistant Superintendent of Police, Mr. Ebenezer Aremu Fayomi an Inspector of Police,  Mr. Benjamin Tetede an Inspector of Police, Mr. Clement Falolu a Nigerian Immigration Service Officer and Mr. Esun Moses a Health and Environment Enforcement Officer.

Your Experience about Madoga: Madoga town has been a peaceful, quiet and easy growing community with a very low level of crime rate. The people of Madoga are known to be hospitable, friendly and hardworking. They are petty traders and farmers.

References

1. https://nces.ed.gov>edge>docs.
2. https://www.designningbuildings.co.uk
3. https://www.city-data.com>forum.
4. © UNICEF Nigeria/2009/Morgan; Nigeria’s national polio vaccination campaign.
5. https://en.m.wikipedia.org.
6. https://www.curriculumvisions.com.
7. Anthony I. Asiwaju, 2019; Bridging Boundaries, My History of Upliftment from the Margins; University Press Plc, Three Crowns Building Jericho, P.M.B. 5095, Ibadan, Nigeria.
8. yewafocusmagazine.com