My Days in Irawo Owode: A Forgotten Town with Unyielding Spirit

It was late November 2024 when the call came, a request for field data collection in Irawo Owode, one of the ancient towns in the Oyo North region. The mission? To harvest critical data that would help design development programs for the town. At first, I hesitated. Stories of insecurity in border communities swirled in my mind, and conversations with my colleagues only amplified my scepticism.

But after securing contacts with key town figures, Mr Azeez Wasiu, Chair of the Development Association, and Yekeen Yusuf, a young graduate—I pushed forward. Despite their reluctance to share information for “security reasons” without meeting physically, I knew the mission was worth the risk. And so, I decided: the trip must go on.

Day One: Skepticism and a Royal Reality

Accompanied by Abdulmujeeb Ballo, my research assistant, I set out on December 13, 2024. By 7:00 AM, we left Ojoo Bus Terminus in Ibadan, weaving through the rural beauty of Iseyin, Ipapo, Okaka, Baasi, Agunrege, Sabe, and Ago-Are. Each community we passed felt like chapters in a forgotten story of development, scenic yet struggling.

Arriving in Irawo Owode, we first met the Secretary of the Town Association, who instructed us to visit the palace of Oba Jubril Adetunji Adeleke, Daoud I. The king welcomed us warmly but expressed guarded scepticism about “outsiders” collecting data. I realized quickly that my mission would require not just fieldwork but winning trust.

In a group picture with Oba Jubril Adetunji Adeleke, Chair of the Development Association (standing, in white Jalamia) and Abdulmujeeb Ballo (in blue shirt)

After an engaging dialogue explaining how data could drive growth, Oba Jubril agreed to support us but only after handing us over to the town’s Development Association. Unfortunately, the consensus came late in the evening. Our data collection would begin the next day, but already, I sensed that Irawo Owode’s story was one worth telling.

Day Two: The Pulse of the Town

We started our morning early—at 6:10 AM—observing the town unaccompanied to test the waters of “insecurity.” To my surprise, Irawo Owode was calm. The streets were alive with farmers heading to the outskirts, tools strapped to motorcycles. Here, farming is life, and dawn means work.

At the heart of the town lies its essence: the palace, a central mosque, a nearby market, and a town hall under construction. A uniquely built structure at the centre roundabout, designed by the youth association, proudly points to neighbouring towns like Saki.

By 8:00 AM, we briefed our enumerators and launched the data collection process. Irawo Owode consists of five districts—Oke-Modakeke, Oke-Oba, Isale Agbede, Isale Ofiki, and Oke Iyeni. Residents welcomed us with open arms and answered our questions candidly.

On the tour of the town

Their responses unveiled hidden challenges. One farmer lamented the high cost of equipment, “Some government-provided tractors have been bought and resold commercially, so we can’t afford them.” Another participant highlighted a sobering reality for their children, “Our children excel in school, but during computer-based exams, they fail because they’ve never used a computer.”

By noon, we had gathered significant data. Yet the most emotional moment came during a conversation with local youths who served as enumerators. Their mixed feelings—hope and despair—echoed a town in limbo. I found myself urging them to leverage technology and distance learning opportunities to break barriers. Many were unaware of state and federal youth programmes designed to support them.

Day Three: Walking the Forgotten Roads

Day three began with an early morning observation, this time with Mr Azeez Wasiu. “Let’s take my car,” he suggested. “Why a car?” I asked. “Why not trek?” Reluctantly, he agreed, and so we walked. From the Palace to the famous Ofiki River, a natural boundary between Irawo Owode and Irawo Ile—Irawo Owode revealed its quiet beauty.

Our trek also led us to the home of Chief Ikolaba, a prominent figure hosting a naming ceremony. It was here we tasted our first meal of the day, blending cultural hospitality with fieldwork insights.

Mr Azeez Wasiu, Chairman of the Development Association, showed us the Ofiki River.

By noon, we met Oba Jubril for a final review. Ever the visionary, the king appealed for a higher institution focused on information and communication technology. “Irawo Owode needs modern tools for its youth,” he emphasized, sharing tales of his struggles and scholarships during his University of Ibadan days in the 1970s. His life lessons became a blueprint for what the town could become with proper support.

Before leaving, we visited the yam market, where we bought yam flour—a symbolic nod to the lifeblood of Irawo Owode’s economy.

A Town Waiting for Change

As I left Irawo Owode, I carried more than just data; I carried stories of resilience, hope, and a cry for change. The people have done their part; farm, build, and persist—but need help. The government must prioritize this forgotten town—better roads, modern education facilities, youth empowerment programmes, and affordable farming tools. Irawo Owode is not just another rural town; it is a resilient community brimming with untapped potential.

One of our field data collectors with a respondent.

To the government and stakeholders: Irawo Owode has spoken. Will you listen?