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Brief History of Islam in Otan-Ile

This said founding father of Islamic Religion in Otan-Ile fought tooth and nail and thrived very hard to see to the propagation of the religion around the nooks and crannies of Otan-Ile. Alfa Sheu Amad Tijani was the first to establish Quaranic School where people learnt the recitation of Holy Quran. Among those that benefitted from such school include Abdul Salam Ajayi from Alawusa’s Compound, Mallam Bello Abogunde, Malam Gbadamosi from Agbo’s compound, Aliyu Olawale and host of others.

In 1935, Tijani started an evening class where he taught the Koran in Arabic. This retarded the growth of western education in Otan-Ile. Pupils of his school include Alfas Bello, Aliu Lawale, Alokan, Aasani, Arilewo, Gbadamosi and Yisa, the first Missioner of N.U.D In 1938 Mallam Salawu was employed as a teacher in the school and he left in 1941 due to poor pay. Despite, Alfa Tijani Junior continued his teachings and islam was being accepted by many in Otan-Ile.

In 1942, Alfa Tijanio started the Egbe Alasalatu under its first Chairman, Alfa Lasisi Fesogun. Alfa Fesogun got the Egbe Alasalatu registered as Nawair-Ud-deen (N.U.D.) Society in 1946. The NUD later employed Alfa Ojikutu as a teacher in the Mokaranta School and so revived the school. The NUD later established its own primary school, the Nawair-Ud-deen Primary School in 1950. This is a major achievement as all moslems were enjoined to send their children to school.

It was when the Islamic religion has been well forstered that the first ever mosque foundation was laid at Idiayan precisely in the year 1902 with the co-operation and support of their religious leaders. Among when we had Busari Awe (first Balogun Adinni), Hazzan Eko, Sunmonu from Ewi’s Compound, Mr. Amodu from Fakoroe’s compound the 1st Bada, Malam Sanusi from Agbo’s compound, Mr Sule Aluko, Hazzan Oni from Odo-Oroki compound.

After some years of Islamic propagation, people (believers) all the way from Odo-Oroki used to come to Imojigbon – Idiayan to observe five daily prayers. When these people are becoming many, compromise was reached and decision was taken to build another mosque; the second of its kind for Odo-Oroki congregation in the year 1920.

Having erected two mosques, the rate at which unbeliever turned and converted into Islamic religion was at its peak hence, the idea to have a central mosque for all Muslim came into being the foundation of the Central Mosque was laid in the year 1924.

In 1938, the entire Muslim Community of the town founded an Arabic school called “Mogaranta” using the Central Mosque as the venue. This development came through Alfa Yakubu Imam from Ikirun while Alfa Salawudeen also Ikirun was the only Arabic Teacher.

In 1948, the Islamic Religion in Otan-Ile witnessed yet another transformation with the establishment of Nawar-Ru-Deen Society of Nigeria, Otan-Ile Branch. It was shouldered by Abdul Azeez Fesogun with the support and contribution from some eminent religious leaders. Among whom we have Messrs Hazzan Ode from Alawusa’s Compound, Jinadu Oriola, Bello Idowu, Ramonu Atiya and so forth. The idea to have Nawair-ru-Deen Society of Nigeria branch in Otan Ile was initiated from Abeokuta.

It was in 1950, that Muslim Primary School where student learnt both Arabic and Western Education came into being. The Arabic section of Arabic section of the school was handled by Mallam Uthuman; Son of Chief Imam of Offa. It was that particular year precisely on 23-3-2950 that Chief Imam Sheu Ahmed Tijani that brought Islam to Otan-Ile died.

Also in the year 1973, Ansar-ur-Deen Society of Nigeria, Otan-Ile Chapter came into being through Alfa Yunus Fatomide Alhaji Nasiru Komolafe, Subair Yusuf, Badiru oni and host of others. Ansar-ur-Deen Society also started Arabic School under the tutelage of Alfa Sodiq Afolayan from Omu-Aran.

Islamic Religion in Otan-Ile witnessed another development with the establishment of Muslim Community Nursery and Primary School in 1993. To be sincere, the religion has witnessed tremendous progress and it has been widely spread around the nook and crannies of the town, and as at today, there are ten mosques widely located at each street with the central mosque as the eleventh.

May Almighty Allah reward every soul that has fought tooth and nail to ensuring the propagation of Islamic Religion in Otan-Ile. May Allah continue to foster the religion in Otan-Ile and prosper all Muslims in the universe (Amin.)

Today, apart from the Central Mosque, there are 8 others mosques in Otan-Ile. They are located at Idi Ayan, Odoroki, Ile Osolo, Idofin, Araromi, Anaye, Inigbo, Erekete. The first chief Imam and the Islamic Chief Missioner in Otan-Ile, Alfa Tijani died in 1950. The second Chief Imam. Alfa Salami Alawusa, who was not popular, died in 1957. The third chief Imam, Alfa Gbadamosi Ale was appointed in 1957 and he died in 1981. The present Chief Imam, Alhaji Ganiyu Aladeokin was appointed in 1982, and died in 2001 while Alh. Fatomide Saka became Imam in 2002 to 2010, Imam Sanusi Jimoh in 2011-till date.

One notable thing in islam as is practiced in Otan-Ile is that the cooperation between Christians and moslems. Whatever organization proposes the establishment of any project that will benefit the entire people. The people of boths religion cooperated. On moslem festival days, Christians worship with moslems at praying grounds. The moslem reliogion in Otan-Ile is dynamic, forward looking and education conscious.

Brief History of Christianity in Otan – Ile

Christianity was introduced to Otan-Ile from Imesi about 1902. The early Christians worshipped at Imesi between 1902-1903 but the Methodist Church was started in Otan-Ile in 1904. The early Christians included Pa John Fasesin Emmanuel Oyebanji, josua Adelola, Madam Lea Ige. Mary Adepeju. Madam Grace Adeleye and Abram Fapojuwo, the first Bbab Ijo. The first church was buit but it was burnt by thos who oppose the church. In 1912, another one was built but it was demolished and the present church was built between 1926-29. The church was always in conflict with the Egungun worshipers and the Oba and Chiefs. The early Methodists were strict, prayerful, devout and spent time learning Yoruba Alphabets to be able to read the Bible and sing Christian hymns. Support for Otan Methodists came also from the Minister at Ilesa especially Rev. Ludlow. In 1926, Inigbo Methodist church was founded. Its first Baba Ijo was joseph Fatomi, co-founders included joseph Arapate, Samuel Oyerinde, Isaac Oyinlola, Madam Hana Odudeji, Debora Oyerinda, Comfort Ojo.

The Apostolic Church was started in 1929 by Mattew Faribido, Daniel Okanlawon, etc. The Cherubim and Seraphim Church was started on 1958 by Apostle Philip Adediran. In 1960, the Catholic Church was started by Pa Michael Ajayi.In 1975 the Christ Apostolic Church was started.

However, the story of Christianity in Otan-Ile remains essentially, the story of the Methodist Church because of its dominance. The first Baba Ijo was Pa Abram Ajayi (1912-1932) followed by john Fasesin (1932-1942), Abram Ajayi (1945-52), Fafiyebi (1952-65) and Simeon Osunro (1965-date). In 1914 the first Methodist Primary School was built. It is noteworthy that the moslems also contributed money towards the building. Mr. peter Ajayi was appointed to be the Catechist of the church and he was also the teacher in the school of the early pupils, only Philip Ajayi, Samuel Fasanya, G. Adeniyi, Joseph adeosun, Okanlawon went up to standard 6. In 1924, Mr Faseun became Cathechist and Headmaster of the school. In 1935, Evangelists Fatilewa arrived and was assisted by Mr. moses Ogungbemi. The school taught up to standard 2. Later, the school was upgraded to a central School by Rev.Ludlow serving Otan, Ilare and Ipetu. Pupils were taught up to standard 4 and pupils would then finish at imesi. In 1947, Otan-Ile Methodist School was upgraded to teach up to standard 6. The present building of the school was built by the entire community – Methodist, Moslems, Apostolics and especially Egbe Atunlude led by Pa Olaomi (A moslem), Pa Gabriel Ogunfeitmi, Pa Simeon Adediran, Pa Bakare Fatomide etc.

Inigbo Methodist primary school was started in 1956 under Chief Awolowo free education scheme. In 1959 the entire community- Christians, moslems, Chiefs started the Methodist Modern School. It had to be Methodist because only the Methodist had the manpower and the organisation to run a school. The effort of chief Bayo Otegbayo in seeing that the building of the school must be noted. People soon felt the need for a secondary school and the Methodist again led the way. The sole effort of Mr. Alabi Ogun who was permanent Secretary in the Civil Service led to the upgrading of the Methodist Modern School to a secondary School in 1976. Again the whole community – Christian, moslems, chiefs, etc supported the school. The Methodist soon started a Methodist Maternity and Dispensary which he as run under the supervision of Wesley Guild the health of the people. Diseases of all shades were bought under control and ignorance started finding its way out of the life of the people. The Apostolic Church however opposed the building of the Clinic while the Moslems supported it. The Apostolics do not use western medicine and they continue to lose unnecessarily even up till today.

Many people who left the primary School went to Wesley College- a famous Teacher Traning College of the Methodist. Later many went to the university. The first set of graduates in Otan-Ille was produced in 1960 viz. Messers Alabi Ogun, John Fagbeja and Cornlius Fagbelagun.

Thus it can be seen that the early developmental projects of Otan-Ile are those initiated by the Methodist. It is very much so even today that the Methodists lead in every sphere because of their early education. The early history of Otan-Ile cannot be divorced from the history of the Methodist Church in Otan-Ile.

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