Offa is a city in the

Kwara State Kwara State ( yo, Ìpínlẹ̀ Kwárà), is a state in Western Nigeria, bordered to the east by Kogi State, to the north by Niger state, and to the south by Ekiti, Osun, and Oyo states, while its western border makes up part of the internation ...

of Nigeria, with a population of about 120,100 inhabitants. The town is noted for its

weaving Weaving is a method of textile production in which two distinct sets of yarns or threads are interlaced at right angles to form a fabric or cloth. Other methods are knitting, crocheting, felting, and braiding or plaiting. The longitudinal th ...

and

dyeing Dyeing is the application of dyes or pigments on textile materials such as fibers, yarns, and fabrics with the goal of achieving color with desired color fastness. Dyeing is normally done in a special solution containing dyes and particular ...

trade, using vegetable dyes made from locally grown

indigo Indigo is a deep color close to the color wheel blue (a primary color in the RGB color space), as well as to some variants of ultramarine, based on the ancient dye of the same name. The word "indigo" comes from the Latin word ''indicum'', m ...

and other plants. Offa is well known for cultivation of

sweet potato The sweet potato or sweetpotato (''Ipomoea batatas'') is a dicotyledonous plant that belongs to the Convolvulus, bindweed or morning glory family (biology), family, Convolvulaceae. Its large, starchy, sweet-tasting tuberous roots are used as a r ...

es and

maize Maize ( ; ''Zea mays'' subsp. ''mays'', from es, maíz after tnq, mahiz), also known as corn (North American and Australian English), is a cereal grain first domesticated by indigenous peoples in southern Mexico about 10,000 years ago. Th ...

which also formed part of the favourite

staple food A staple food, food staple, or simply a staple, is a food that is eaten often and in such quantities that it constitutes a dominant portion of a standard diet for a given person or group of people, supplying a large fraction of energy needs and ...

s of the indigenes in the town.

Cattle Cattle (''Bos taurus'') are large, domesticated, cloven-hooved, herbivores. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae and the most widespread species of the genus ''Bos''. Adult females are referred to as cows and adult mal ...

goat The goat or domestic goat (''Capra hircus'') is a domesticated species of goat-antelope typically kept as livestock. It was domesticated from the wild goat (''C. aegagrus'') of Southwest Asia and Eastern Europe. The goat is a member of the a ...

s and

sheep Sheep or domestic sheep (''Ovis aries'') are domesticated, ruminant mammals typically kept as livestock. Although the term ''sheep'' can apply to other species in the genus ''Ovis'', in everyday usage it almost always refers to domesticated s ...

are also raised in the environs. The main religions practised in the town are

Islam Islam (; ar, ۘالِإسلَام, , ) is an Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic Monotheism#Islam, monotheistic religion centred primarily around the Quran, a religious text considered by Muslims to be the direct word of God in Islam, God (or ...

Christianity Christianity is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. It is the world's largest and most widespread religion with roughly 2.38 billion followers representing one-third of the global pop ...

and traditional religions. The ancient tradition for which the town is known is

wrestling Wrestling is a series of combat sports involving grappling-type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. Wrestling techniques have been incorporated into martial arts, combat ...

. Offa's rich history is comprehensively documented in a book written by

James Bukoye Olafimihan James is a common English language surname and given name: *James (name), the typically masculine first name James * James (surname), various people with the last name James James or James City may also refer to: People * King James (disambiguat ...

education Education is a purposeful activity directed at achieving certain aims, such as transmitting knowledge or fostering skills and character traits. These aims may include the development of understanding, rationality, kindness, and honesty. Va ...

ist and

clergy Clergy are formal leaders within established religions. Their roles and functions vary in different religious traditions, but usually involve presiding over specific rituals and teaching their religion's doctrines and practices. Some of the ter ...

man titled 'Iwe Itan Offa', literally translated ''The Book of the History of Offa''. Peacock - Sapphire Blue

Offa is on the

railway line Rail terminology is a form of technical terminology. The difference between the American term ''railroad'' and the international term ''railway'' (used by the International Union of Railways and English-speaking countries outside the United Sta ...

from

Lagos Lagos (Nigerian English: ; ) is the largest city in Nigeria and the List of cities in Africa by population, second most populous city in Africa, with a population of 15.4 million as of 2015 within the city proper. Lagos was the national ca ...

, the former capital of Nigeria, and Offa served as the

railway Rail transport (also known as train transport) is a means of transport that transfers passengers and goods on wheeled vehicles running on rails, which are incorporated in tracks. In contrast to road transport, where the vehicles run on a pre ...

terminus before the line was extended north to

Kano Kano may refer to: Places *Kano State, a state in Northern Nigeria * Kano (city), a city in Nigeria, and the capital of Kano State **Kingdom of Kano, a Hausa kingdom between the 10th and 14th centuries **Sultanate of Kano, a Hausa kingdom between ...

and

Nguru Nguru may refer to: * Pila Nguru, an aboriginal people of Australia * Nguru (flute), a small Māori nose flute from New Zealand * Nguru, Nigeria, a town and LGA in Yobe State * Hadejia-Nguru wetlands, northern Nigeria * Nguru Lake, a lake whic ...

Offa Offa (died 29 July 796 AD) was King of Mercia, a kingdom of Anglo-Saxon England, from 757 until his death. The son of Thingfrith and a descendant of Eowa, Offa came to the throne after a period of civil war following the assassination of Æt ...

is the second largest town in

Kwara state Kwara State ( yo, Ìpínlẹ̀ Kwárà), is a state in Western Nigeria, bordered to the east by Kogi State, to the north by Niger state, and to the south by Ekiti, Osun, and Oyo states, while its western border makes up part of the internation ...

, located in central Nigeria with geographic coordinates o itf 8’9N 4’43E. Offa was founded towards the end of the 14th century by a

Yoruba The Yoruba people (, , ) are a West African ethnic group that mainly inhabit parts of Nigeria, Benin, and Togo. The areas of these countries primarily inhabited by Yoruba are often collectively referred to as Yorubaland. The Yoruba constitute ...

prince from Oyo. Offatedo in

Osun Ọṣun, is an orisha, a spirit, a deity, or a goddess that reflects one of the manifestations of the Yorùbá Supreme Being in the Ifá oral tradition and Yoruba-based religions of West Africa. She is one of the most popular and venerated ...

state, Iyana Offa in

Oyo State Oyo State is an inland state in southwestern Nigeria. Its capital is Ibadan, the third most populous city in the country and formerly the second most populous city in Africa. Oyo State is bordered to the north by Kwara State, to the east by Osun ...

, Offa in

Côte d'Ivoire Ivory Coast, also known as Côte d'Ivoire, officially the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, is a country on the southern coast of West Africa. Its capital is Yamoussoukro, in the centre of the country, while its largest city and economic centre is ...

are peopled from Offa. The traditional head is the Olofa, who is assisted by prominent knighted chiefs including Essa, Ojomu, Balogun Shawo and Asalofa. The praise name of Offa is "Ijakadi Loro Offa", a Yoruba phrase meaning "wrestling is our game". The city's mascot is the

peacock Peafowl is a common name for three bird species in the genera ''Pavo (genus), Pavo'' and ''Afropavo'' within the tribe Pavonini of the family Phasianidae, the pheasants and their allies. Male peafowl are referred to as peacocks, and female pea ...

bird which is one of the most prominent exotic avian species in the region and also because the town is a beautiful place. Offa has more recently become well known in Nigeria for being home to Adesoye College, one of the most prominent private schools in Nigeria. Offa is centrally located in the midst and middle of many neighboring towns like Erin Ile in the south, Ijagbo in the north, Igosun and Ipee in the east and Ilemona, Irra, Ikotun and Ojoku in the west. There is a big market located within the city centre, known as " Owode market". The market which is the only major market in the Offa Local Government has existed for nearly 40 years. The "Owode" market serve both the members of the community and its neighboring towns.

Traditional institutions

The supreme traditional ruler (king) of the town is the Olofa who is assisted by five High Chiefs namely Asalofa, Essa, Ojomu, Sawo, and Balogun. There are two hundred and five thousand traditional households. Since the founding of the town in late 14th century, twenty four Kings, (Olofas) have ruled as follows:

List of Olofas in Order of Succession

1. Olalomi Olafagangan – the founder of Offa who came from Oyo through Ile-Ife (1392–1442) 2. Olutide – 1442 -1491 3. Olugesinde – 1491-1526 4. Oluwole – 1526-1567 5. Okunmolu – 1567-1624 6. Olusanle – 1624-1679 7. Olusanmi – 1679-1726 8. Olugbense – 1726-1786 9. Bamgbola Arojojoye – 1786-1800 10. Amodu Agaka – 1800-1803 11. Olumorin Anilelerin – 1803-1832 12. Alade Alebiosu – 1832-1844 13. Ariyibi Omolaoye – 1844-1850 14. Morounfolu Okunoye – 1850-1882 15. Adegboye Atoloyetele – 1882–1887, and 1901–1906 16. Arokan Otaogbaye – 1887-1901 17. Oyediran Ariwajoye I – 1906-1917 18. Adeyeye Arojojoye – 1917-1920 19. Abioye – 1921-1926 20. Esuwoye I – 1926-1936 21. Wuraola Isioye – 1936-1957 22. Mustapa Keji – 1957-1969 23. Mustapha Olanipekun Ariwajoye II – 1970–2010 24. Mufutau Gbadamosi Esuwoye II – 2010–present

Educational institutions

Offa indigenes are well educated and the town has over one hundred professors in varied academic fields. There are several secondary schools, three polytechnics, and a university. The first primary school, St. Mark's (Anglican) Primary School was established in 1912 by the Church Missionary Society, and Offa Grammar School which is the first community secondary school in defunct Northern Nigeria was established in 1943. The Federal Polytechnic was established in Offa in 1992. The Kwara State College of Health Technology was also established earlier in 1976. Other tertiary institutions include the Navy School of Health Sciences, Pan Africa College of Education Graceland Polytechnic, Lens Polytechnic and Summit University, Offa (the University of Ansarudeen Society of Nigeria).

Summit University Clarks Summit University is a private Baptist Bible college in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania. It offers on-campus and online degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels. These include a high-school dual enrollment option, as well as associa ...

was established in 2015 and commenced academic activities in 2017. In 2020, it obtained full accreditation from the

National Universities Commission The National Universities Commission (NUC) is a government commission for promoting quality higher education in Nigeria. Situated in Abuja, it was established in 1962 as an advisory agency in the cabinet office. In 1974, it became a statutory b ...

for all its academic Courses. Sign post of Lens Polytechnic Offa

Socio-cultural organizations

The umbrella socio-cultural organisation in Offa i
Offa Descendants Union
which was founded in Lagos, Nigeria by Offa indigenes on 13 October 1935. All other socio-cultural groups in the town are affiliates of ODU. The union has branches in all states of Nigeria and abroad. It has been involved in development efforts like the establishment of secondary schools, encouragement of investors, medical outreaches, supporting artisans, and other professional bodies.

Cultural ceremonies

"Offa" means arrow in the Yoruba language, and the founder of the town was known as Olofagangan-the warrior with a sharp arrow. Offa is the cultural headquarters of the Ibolo people, which was regarded as an integral part of the old Oyo Empire. The Ibolos are also found in the present Osun State. The major traditional ceremony is 'Onimoka', which is an annual event to celebrate the memory of Queen Moremi an Offa indigene who saved the Ile-Ife kingdom from invaders. During the ceremony, wrestling contests are held in which the traditional Chiefs including the Olofa will engage in mock wrestling contests (Ijakadi). According to the Olofa, during the eight editions of the festival in December 2019, the festival demonstrates Offa people's “love for equity, justice, and fairness as well as the resilience and unity of the community (th
Sun news online
. Offa is also well known for the Owode market, the foremost market and pivot of economic activities not only for Offa and its environment but also for Kwara and neighbouring states.

Bibliography

*Olafimihan, James Bukoye: ''Iwe Itan Offa'' (''The Book of the History of Offa'').

References

{{LGAs and communities of Kwara State

External links

* http://www.lenspolytechnic.edu.ng/ * https://www.britannica.com/place/Offa-Nigeria Local Government Areas in Kwara State Towns in Yorubaland