Idoani

Idoani is a quiet small town in Ondo State of Nigeria where the Federal Government College, Idoani, is located. It is the seat of the Idoani Confederacy, a Nigerian traditional state.

Idoani is under the Ose local government in Ondo state. The people of Idoani whose major occupation used to be farming, are peace-loving. The people speak Bini languages, some of which are different from the major Yoruba language of the south-western Nigeria. Quite a number of people still ride their bicycles to farm (a growing culture in the western world today). Idoani comprises six major quarters of Isure, Okedo, Amusigbo, Iyayu, Isure and Ako. There is also Owani (Idosale, a few kilometres away). The different quarters are contiguous (with the exception of Owani which is a few kilometres away) and are not separated with any walls or boundaries, making intermarriage between very common. The difference between the six quarters is noticeable in the difference between Iyayu language and that of other five quarters. Iyayu language has been described as non-Yoruba, while others' have all Yoruba linguistic affinity. As a matter of historical fact, the Isure, Iyayus, Amusigbos, Owanis and the rest have different historical background.

Notable People from Idoani

Today there are many Idoani sons and daughters in different walks of life both at home and abroad; some of these are Olorunfemi Ogunleye-Jacobs (acclaimed to be among the first people to put on a tie in Idoani, when he was a secretary in the local government); Professor 'Banji Aje (Professor of French Language), late Chief Salaja D.K. Oshati (Magistrate), late Chief Obe Richard A. Akinyemi SAN (defense lawyer), Chief Robert A. Agbayewa -founder Lagos College of Academy, Ogunleye M. Biodun - Administrator of a construction company and late Mr. Akinyemi Stephen Aro - Business Tycoon (Retailing, Banking & Petroleum – first to own a gas station in the district). Late Chief Odofin - Bello (western Region of Nigeria, first Police Commissioner), Major-General O. Olutoye (Rtd.)- former Sports Minister for the Nigerian Government,Major-General Saidu Ayodele Balogun (Rtd) the first Military Administrator of Ogun State, Osarodion Ogbemudia and Dr. Oluwafemi M. Agbayewa a clinical professor in Canada also formal Chairman of Canadian Association Psychiatrist,High Chief Hon. Sir, Timothy O. Akinbode, one time member of House of Rep.,the current Asiwaju of Idoani. Major-general AC Olukolade(rtd),the DIRECTOR DEFENSE INFORMATION (military spokesman).. from (DEC 2010- sep 2015),he is also an ECOMOG veteran and the first and only army officer to become a 2 star general having started as a public relations officer in the army. history of Idoani can not be complete without the mention of the late Basorun (Dr.) Samuel Oyewole Asabia who was the first indigenous managing director of First Bank of Nigeria, a man who was chosen as the number one banker for many years in Nigeria, a man who became a Federal Permanent Secretary at the age of 27 and was once a Deputy Governor of the Nigerian Central Bank.

Western influence

The influence of colonization in Idoani culture is minimal. There are Anglican,Christ Apostolic Church, Methodist and Roman Catholic churches in Idoani. The two notable high schools are: Federal government college and Irekari Grammar school. There are now some private primary and secondary schools. They still speak their local languages, there are no major fast food outlet in the town, like those found in the major cities in Nigeria. The people eat Bini traditional food such as "Iyan" (pounded yam) with egusi or any of the vegetable soup and "Agidi"/igidi, made from maize flour (the two types are: Agidi a furere and Tepotiyo).

Idoani is a peaceful holiday destination in Nigeria, there is an important annual masquerade festival, around August, during which a lot of its indigenes come home from all over the world. Notable masquerades (Jejeliki), known for great dancing, and Igweztan, known for tormenting the stubborn children with canes (whips). These are other masquerades like Egunle, Ela, and Eruerue, Aloro, Okeripe(Isure quqrters),.

Follow the link below to see the location of Idoani on the world map. http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en-GB&q=Idoani,+Nigeria&ie=UTF8&cd=1&geocode=FVVlbwAdYClZAA&split=0&sll=53.800651,-4.064941&sspn=6.881357,14.941406&ll=7.363829,5.473938&spn=0.612881,1.231842&t=h&z=10

See also

Coordinates: 7°17′N 5°52′E / 7.283°N 5.867°E / 7.283; 5.867

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