Ode Aye, also known as Aye, is a northern Ikale speaking community under Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The original ancestor of the Aye people was named Daniken Lapoki and history relates that he migrated from Ife town to Benin in the time of Oba Ozoluwa, father of Oba Esigie of Benin and grandfather of the first Abodi of the Ikales.
Soon after Lapoki arrived at Benin, he helped Oba Ozoluwa with an array of armies to conquer the people of Iyodo who were causing trouble at that time and the expedition was successful. Hence, Oba Ozoluwa rewarded Daniken Lapoki by making him an important Chief and he was sent to reside in Jekri as the Oba thought that the people of Iyodo were likely to rebel and Lapoki Daniken would be able to subdue them if they do.
Oba Esigie succeeded his Father Oba Ozoluwa after defeating his brother Aguanran in a war with the help of Daniken Lapoki and his army. Aguanran committed suicide during the war and his people were driven as far as Idanre in Ondo State. Part of them however escaped to Ilaje in the Mahin Kingdom and took refuge with a chief called Alawe. Oba Esigie didn’t rest, he later pursued them and Alawe was driven towards Epe till they were killed. Daniken Lapoki was in command of part of Esigie’s army during the war.
When the first Abodi of the Ikales, Jabodo, was leaving Benin, Daniken Lapoki accompanied him and he was given land at Ipoke (between Gbekebe and Ojuala) where he became an Oloja. He stayed there for many years and later travelled with all his people up the Oluwa and Ominla Rivers as far as Imobi where he made a town. Imobi in the Yoruba Language means (Ibi mo mo Obi) i.e where I know kola trees.
Not very long, Daniken Lapoki’s son, Logbemuwa who had remained in Jekri came with many Jekri followers to look for his father. He travelled with many canoes laden with salt, European clothes, cowries, beads, and other valuables. When Daniken Lapoki heard of his son’s arrival at Igbaje which is on the Oluwa rivers not far from Imobi, he started to walk down the east bank of the river to meet his son.
On arrival at Epewe, however, his strength failed him because Daniken was a very old man at that time. When he saw that he was about to die, he took his Abenran, the Benin Ceremonial Sword, and drove it into the ground. Lapoki Daniken then fell and died on that spot. His sword was seen buried in the roots of kola trees and to date, his people are still using the place as an ancestral shrine for sacrifices.
Logbemuwa was made Oloja after the death of his father, Daniken, and he assumed the title of Lapoki. He built a town at Igbaje and established the first Ikale Market there Igbaje and people came from a distance to buy articles brought by him and his Jekri followers.
It is also on record that Logbemuwa Lapoki introduced cowries to the Ikales for trading. Igbaje town, now a village in Ode Aye, hosted the first Ikale market established by Oloja Logbemuwa Lapoki.
He called the town Igbaje because it was a place of trade and wealth. Igbaje means “Igba Aje” in the Yoruba Language i e, a calabash of trade and wealth. After many years of prosperity, Oloja Logbemuwa died there at Igbaje. Many years back, his juju can still be seen on the bank of the rivers.
History relates that Logbemuwa gave back to Jaraamuwa. Jaraamuwa gave back to Olagbokun who relocated to a place called Ode Ojido. Olagbokun gave back to Ajiborodo who in turn gave back to Olaroye. Olaroye gave back to Akinjokun and Akinjokun left Ode Ojido and settled at the present town of Ode Aye (also known as Aye.
Oloja Akinjokun had two sons, Akinluwa and Ehinmonoren who are the progenitors of Ode Aye community till date.
Credit: B.J.A. Mathews 1932, (Report On Ikale District)
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