Apakeji Epe
HISTORY OF AMOYINBO
Amoyinbo was a brave and wealthy man. His real name is Prince Oonoo Ajila-Oorun. He was an Ife prince.
In some years back, around the 17th century, he left Ile-Ife with two of his siblings following directive by Ifa oracle which he consulted over his wives’ inability to give birth to a child. The oracle revealed to him that before he could have any child, he must emigrate from Ile-Ife to a place where there is river. He listened and obeyed the instruction given to him by the oracle.
He embarked on the journey with his two siblings, Ogunboye and Papanjo and it lasted for several years. He is a very light complexioned man and during the course of his journey the color of his skin was likened to that of a white man by merchants he met on the way who had had contact with white men. He was nick named Amoyinbo ( amo bi oyinbo) meaning light skinned like a white man. From there on he became known as Amoyinbo.
Amoyinbo eventually got to Epe, a place that fulfilled the Ifa divinity for him. He met a great man named Lafayo and settled and built houses at Apakeji known as Amoyinbo quarters. The Lugbasa family was the first family to settle in Apakeji. Lafayo later joined Lugbasa followed by Amoyinbo. Idogun and other families later settled and together they constitute Apakeji which is half of Epe historical heritage. The other half being Aleke.
Amoyinbo married several wives and had several children. He established a fishing post and farm in the riverine area of Epe which he named Ereeshe ( Eree-ishe) meaning reward for hard work. The produce of the farm and the fish were brought to the mainland where they were sold. Ogunboye, one of Amoyinbo’s sibling that accompanied him established a place named after him “Luboye village”. The second sibling Papanjo migrated to a place called Okun-Oshoroko. He did not give birth to any child.
Amoyinbo died in the early 18th century. He was buried in his quarters. Two shrines were dedicated to him both called Oju Oshi Amoyinbo ( Amoyinbo’s shrine), one in Amoyinbo quarter, the other in Ereeshe.
The Amoyinbo family has being occupying Amoyinbo’s quarter from the 17th century till now and has been a strong pillar of development in Epe. In the year 1848, Amoyinbo’s grandson Onadipe Amoyinbo, was among the warriors that fought for Epe when there was war between Epe and Makun-Omi. The war lasted for 3 years before Epe could defeat Makun-Omi.
In the year 1851, Kosoko sought for asylum in Epe after obtaining clearance and permission from his royal highness, Awujale Anikilaya. He came along with entourage among which was Disu Ikujenya. Being a refugee, Disu Ikujenya was housed by Amoyinbo. He was a drummer and was known as onilu amoyinbo meaning Amoyinbo’s drummer.