Kunle Adelabu
The Jaiyesimi Descendants Royal Family of Ikorodu will this year hold the maiden day to celebrate and further immortalise the legendary war General, Omoba Balogun Mabadaje Jayesimi (1801 – 1901), the heroic figure in the war against the Egba known as the Wompari.
Friday, October 10th to Sunday, October 12th, 2025, have been scheduled for the celebration.
This was disclosed on the Facebook handle of Ikorodu -Oga Development Association (IKODASS).
Balogun Jaiyesimi was a powerful and strategic leader in Ikorodu who was the Balogun of Ikorodu (1855–1901), and known for commanding the Ikorodu forces to victory in the Wompari War (1863–65) against the Egba.
In this regard, the family has fully rehabilitated its ancient compound which has his palace, colonial district office quarters, his Ogun (god of iron) shrine and others.
The legendary figure played important roles during the colonial rule, becoming the first chairman of the Ikorodu Local Council in 1894 and signing for Ikorodu to become part of the Lagos Colony under Governor Carter. He was instrumental in the decision to cede Ikorodu to the British Crown, with the signing of the agreement which was a pivotal moment in the town’s history.
His military and political influence in those eras in Ikorodu and environs was so much so that a visiting colonial governor once described him as the “Absolute Master in Ikorodu”.
His military achievements earned him a place in local songs and lore and highlighted his strategic prowess.
He was a devoted follower of the Yoruba deity Ogun (god of iron), but Jaiyesimi later embraced Islam after a spiritual prophecy that one of his children would be an Alfa (Islamic scholar), and built the first mosque in Ikorodu. He also became an important patron of the nascent Muslim community.
