(Day 3): Countdown To #IdirokoDay Ado - Ekiti And Udiroko Part 1 - An Account of HRM Oba Daniel Anirare-kesiloni Aladesanmi II

When the several children of Oduduwa were leaving Ile-Ife to found their own territories, the Oba Ado, or Elewi as he was called then was not left out of the Princely adventure. Ancient Yoruba history tells us that the Oba of Benin and Oba Ado (Ewi) were brothers born of the same mother to Oduduwa. The two of them were reported to have left Ile-Ife for a place known today as Benin City and its vicinity to settle. But the Ewi and his people pitched their camp at a place called ORUNMODI meaning 'God-fortified round wall.'

 The place was said to have been a fairly level ground surrounded by low hills and was situated near the present Benin City. Once settled, the smooth cordiality that existed between the two brothers began to turn sour. Frequent clashes and bloody encounters featured prominently between the people of both brothers.

 When the situation became intolerable, the Ewi summoned courage and led his people out of Orunmodi and Journeyed with them towards the northwest direction in search of a fertile land where to settle. Legend has it that Ewi and his people wandered for a long time before the came to settle at the present site if Ado Ekiti - a distance of 140miles from the ancient city of Benin City or Orunmodi.

 The first Oba Ado or Ewi is called Awamaro or Elewi. He conquered many villages, towns and hamlets during his wandering. Awamaro and his people first stopped at Oke-Papa Utamodi. Later he settled for some time respectively at Idoani and Agbado - the later being a town Ise and Ikole Ekiti. Because they were fed up with the constant movement of the Elewi, the elders of his people decided not to follow him any longer if the Oba's urge to resume his wandering gripped him again. And true to their anticipation, Awamaro called his people and informed them that they had to leave Agbado.

The elders made their decision known to him and there was nothing he could do to make them rescind it. While he moved on the elders remains behind. That settlement was later nike-named 'Ile Agba Ado' (the homestead of Ado Elders). The elders too retained their identity as 'Agba Ado' (Elders of Ado). The town derived its name of Agbado from these two reference names, and it is still in existence at about 25miles from present Ado - Ekiti. 

Advancing westwards, the Elewi arrived at a hilly place. He moved to the top of one of the hills and settled his people there once more. He named the hill as Oke-Ewi (Ewi's hill) The migrants met an aboriginal race there called the Ilesun people. Their leader played the dual role of a priest and king. They could not resist the military onslaught of the invaders and so had to surrender to a superior authority of the Elewi. However, one thing is significant. The Ilesun people retained their cultural identity till today and they have to play an important traditional marketing role during the installation of an Ewi of Ado-Ekiti.

 On settling down finally, Awamaro named the people who accompanied him as Ado-the encampers. From this Ado-Ekiti got its name. Therefore literally, 'Ado' means 'WE SETTLE.' The word 'Ekiti' which makes it become compound refers to its hilly area earlier mentioned. In early era the town was called Ado-Ewi-Ekiti. The word Ewi is a title used to distinguish the Ado-Ekiti ruler from others bearing Ado e.g. Ado Ibenin or Ado-Odo etc.. To be continued......