Ifon Orolu, also known as Ifon-Osun, in Osun State, Nigeria, is one of the most ancient towns in the history and culture of the Yoruba people. The town was founded in the 12 th Century by Oba Olaosa Aladikun Akogun Erujeje Adugbo, who migrated with his people from Ile-Ife, following the direction of the Ifa Oracle. .
He was the first son of Obatala, the diety of piety. Other towns and villages also known as Ifon, (such as Ifon Omimo in Ondo State, and Ifon Sepeteri in Oyo State), all owe their ancestry to Ifon-Orolu. The main town is also the headquarters for many villages and hamlets inhabited by its people and their visitors. Such places include Osun-Eesa, Kajola, Isangbe, Bashorun, Oloode, Alaiko, Ikimo, Oloso, Opapa, and Odofin,
to name but a few.
Hence, Ifon-Orolu is indeed a kingdom, headed by the Olufon, with village heads (Baale) appointed by His Royal Majesty to oversee the affairs of various towns and villages and provide good governance.
His Royal Majesty, Oba Peter Oluwole Ipadeola Ilufemiloye Akinyooye III, who ascended the throne in February 2024, is the 35 th Olufon of Ifon Orolu Kingdom. He is a first class traditional Oba, a beaded-crown monarch, and the Deputy Chairman of the Osun State Council of Obas. The Olufon is also known as the Aremo Obatala of the Universe, being the a direct descendant of Obatala.
Historical records show that it was one of the beaded crowns of Olufon that the 9th Olufon gave to the Alaafin of Oyo 1 . Hence, the Olufon is the only Yoruba king traditionally allowed to wear his own crown in the palace of the Alaafin of Oyo.
Orolu Anthem
Ilu mi, Ilu mi, Ilu mi)
Ilu Ifon n ‘lu tabi mi)
Bimo r’okun bímo r’osa) 2ce
Ilu Ifon nìkan nílé o)
*Interlude*
Awa Omo Orolu!
Awa Omo Olaosa Aladikun o)
Ẹrujẹjẹ Àdúgbò Aremo-Obatala
Ní Ife-Ooni, Awa Omo Aládé
Ṣẹṣẹ-Efun, E yo, E jo, Eyan
Ilu Ifon tati bi biwa o,
Ilu ‘moluabi ni
Ilu alabukun ni
*Interlude*
Ilu mi, Ilu mi, Ilu mi)
Bimo r’okun bímo r’osa)
Ilu Ifon nìkan nílé o)
Ilu mi, Ilu mi, Ilu mi)
Bimo r’okun bímo r’osa)
Ilu Ifon nìkan nílé o)
Ilu mi, Ilu mi, Ilu mi)
Bimo r’okun bímo r’osa)
Ilu Ifon nìkan nílé o)
ODUN ADE OROLU FESTIVAL
The festival brings together all sons and daughters of Ifon-Orolu, at home and in diaspora, particularly the descendants of Obatala, to Ifon-Orolu their ancestral home for the purpose of celebrating, educating and supplication to their progenitor
Visit Ifon Orolu Today
Olufon’s Palace: Afin Olufon, Ifon Osun
Office email: admin@ifonorolu.org or info@ifonorolu.org
Telephone contact: (+234) 813 606 6433
Olufon’s personal email : olufon@ifonorolu.org (for highly confidential messages only)