Ipokia

Ipokia (Listen^ⓘ) is the metropolitan headquarters of Anago Kingdom. It is an ancient kingdom in the old Oyo Empire. Unlike the other kingdoms, which had at one time or the other engaged in the internecine wars that ravaged Yorubaland in the nineteenth century, Ipokia stood out as an unconquered sanctuary city-state throughout the period. The year it was founded is not known but can be traced to 13th to 14th century when some princes and princesses of Ọranmiyan, the 6th Ooni of Ife and founder of the Oyo and Benin kingdoms migrated from Oyo-Ile and settled in Ajasse Ipo in present-day Kwara State due to a misunderstanding among the princes, then moved downward toward West Lagos with the ancient crown gotten from their forebearer, Oduduwa. They settled briefly in Lagos shores, Isale Eko before coming to Badagry axis and finally settled down and formed a small town named Ipokia ("Opo ko ara e sile", i.e "Opo rejected its people") supposedly with the help and guidance of Ifá divination. Ipokia came to be a Local Government in 1996 carved from formally known as "Egbado South local government" but now "Yewa South local government" in the west of Ogun State, Nigeria bordering the Republic of Benin. Its capital is in Ipokia town. It is an exit route from Nigeria to the outside world through road and water. It is also regarded as the main entry to the Gateway State due to its proximity and the boundary between Nigeria and Benin Republic. There are other towns like Idiroko, Oniro, Ita Egbe, Tongeji Island, Aretedo, Ihunbo, Agosasa, Aseko, Maun, Koko, Ropo, Alaari, Tube, Ilashe, Ifonyintedo, Madoga, Idosemo, Ijofin and Tongeji Island in the town of Ipokia at 6°32′00″N 2°51′00″E / 6.53333°N 2.85000°E / 6.53333; 2.85000.

It has an area of 629 km² and a population of 150,426 at the 2006 census. It the capital of Ipokia Local Government. The current traditional ruler (King) is Ọba Yisa 'Sola Adeniyi Adelakun Olaniyan (JP), the 46th Onipokia of Ipokia kingdom. First-class Obas who are in the same category with Alake of Egbaland, Awujale of Ijebuland and some other few first-class Obas in Ogun State.