The President of Ahun Community Development Association International, Lagos branch, Chief Ayodele Elekofehinti has said it is wrong to say Efon people in Ekiti State are not part of Ile-Ife.
Addressing reporters at a conference in Lagos, he said it was erroneous to detach Efon from the Ooni Ilare Royal House, Ile-Ife, even as he noted that those making the allusion were out to mislead the public.
He said Oloja Ahun was the first settler in Efon Kingdom who came with royal insignia from Ile-Ife, insisting that the king’s wizardry helped to subdue the land previously occupied by buffalos.
Elekofehinti said: “The land at that time was virgin, but full of animals mainly buffalos. So, Alahun Mokamoye, been the first settler in Efon, had to contend with animals. Later, Ogboni Aganji, who is now known as Obaloja and several other traditional rulers came to Efon.
“The threat of the wild animals prompted the duo of Oluji Oba and Oisinkin Aaye to meet with Alahun Mokamoye to find a lasting solution to the animals’ threat.
“Mokamoye, a very powerful and resourceful native leader gathered the buffalos at a place called Itamesi and later marched them to Oke Ahun where people came to view the scene.”
He added that the jubilation over the displacement of the buffalos led to the naming of the community Efon (buffalo) town.
He stressed that many years after, people from Ipole Iraye, Ile-Ife came to the town which was already in existence.
“When they arrived, Ijiemigun sent one of his followers called Agada to trace the smoke he saw in the low land and to know the people living there. On his arrival, the person he saw was Oluji, who took him to Ogboni Aganju at his court yard and they later went to Oke Ahun to meet Alahun Apakorowonuado, who reigned in the place of Mokamoye, who had joined his ancestors.
“In principle, Alahun Apakorowonuado refused Ijiemigun’s request because Alahun had foreseen what is happening today. But after several contacts and appeals, Ijiemigun promised to make covenant with Alahun and all items to be used were listed for Ijiemigun.”