A Brief Historical Origin Of Ibillo Community In Edo State

Historical Origin (Circa 1700 AD)

The International African Institute London has,
since 1945, been engaged in the preparation and publication of an Ethnographic Survey of Africa, the objective being to present information on the various peoples of Africa in terms of location, natural environment, economy, crafts, social structure, political organization, religious beliefs and cults. A Committee of the Institute set up under the Chairmanship of Professor Radcliffe
Brown under took the editing of the survey with the generous collaboration of Research Institutions, Anthropologists, the British Colonial Development
and Welfare Funds and the Belgian authorities through the Commission d’Ethnologie of the Institute Royal Colonial Belge. The Book titled
Ethnographical Survey of Africa, The Benin Kingdom and The Edo-Speaking Peoples of South Western Nigeria was co-published by R.E. Bradbury and P.C. Lloyd in 1957.
In that publication Ibillo was classified as number 5 of the 28 autonomous or semi autonomous Edo speaking communities in the northern part of Kukuruku Division with the population of 4,180 people including stranger element and Leper
Settlement vide the 1952 Census Bulletin with 8 families and 4 wards. The ancestors of most of these communities were said to have migrated from Benin or from the Yoruba country on the west
while Ibillo was stated to have originated from Ife.
This historical origin of Ibillo substantiated the earlier report titled: An Intelligence Report on 34 Independent Villages of the Kukuruku Division,
Benin Province by R.L.V. Wilkes D.O. (District Officer) published in 1940. Also by this Report Ibillo was said to be founded by a man called Ibillo who was stated to have come direct from Ife. Ibillo
was administered since 1890 from Ikare, Kabba, Okene, Ido, Fugar and Auchi and in 1920 became part of Imeri District under the Onimeri. This historic fact was confirmed by the Mid Western
State of Nigeria Administrative Research and Support Division Report on the Investigations into the Role of Chiefs in the Mid Western State 1970.
Ibillo population as at 1940 was 615 people and under a native administration comprised of Elders Council and Age Grade System at both the quarters
and village levels.

Ezanafe. O.

FACTORS THAT HAMPER DEVELOPMENT OF IBILLO

Endemic Disunity:
Prevalent disunity both within the quarters and the town levels is rife which diffuses collective spirit at attainment of communal goals. Covering or supporting of wrong and selfish interests leaning along quarters affinity or line is rampart which breeds more disunity. The general or communal interest should be elevated above sectional, selfish or private interest for the common good.

Intra and Inter Quarters and Community Disputes:
Intra and inter quarters disputes cut across almost every quarters in Ibillo stemming from rivalries arising from claims, right, interests, etc founded on the proper or improper observance or enforcement of the observance of native law, custom, cultures, tradition and so on and so forth such as quarters headship, distribution formula, masquerades and burial rites. Some led to boycott of Elders Council and/or running of parallel Elders Council, abandoning or limiting burial dance and masquerade parades points, etc. This trend applies to the town level.
This is unhealthy to the development of Ibillo.

Lack of Interest in Education and ‘Get Rich Quick’ Syndrome:
It is sad that so many youths in Ibillo detest education for pleasure and comfort today. This epicurean attitude of get rich-quick, luxury, pleasure, comfort, etc without work has no good signal for posterity. This luxurious tendencies to attain wealth without sweat lures scores of youths to Motor bike service/employment (popularly called Okada) rendering them vulnerable to unwholesome vices and menaces.

Security Challenges:
The vulnerability of Ibillo to the scourge of armed robbers and hoodlums particularly along Ibillo-Imoga, Ibillo-Okene, Ibillo-Ikare, Ibillo-Igarra and Ibillo-Ikiran Ile routes calls for concern. The high indices of casualties to attacks by the elements of the underworld leaves Ibillo vulnerable. Clamour for a permanent Army Barrack at Ibillo as well as bringing pressure to bear on the Local and State Governments to equip and service our local Vigilante Outfit, constant an effective Community Policing will check the menace.

Unemployment:
A teething problem that goes to the root of the entire social fabric is unemployment. Graduates of tertiary institutions at different levels still roam about the streets helpless for decades without prospects for job opportunities. The level of employment will determine the beauty of Ibillo. Unemployment accounts for the prevailing Okada ridding, cultism, drug abuse, smoking, alcoholism, etc which should not be allowed to take over and render our Community unsafe. We therefore appeal to those in government to come to aid. The illustrious sons and daughters of Ibillo who are positioned should also endeavor to see to this area.