Ipetumodu is a city in Osun State, in the southwestern part of Nigeria. It is the headquarters of the Ife Northlocal government. The city is under the leadership of traditional ruler with the title of Apetumodu, which means "the great king of Ipetumodu".
History
Ipetumodu was founded by the warriorsObatala and Orunmila. They came from Ile-Ife to settle near River Isasa. Obatala was named "Oseremaigbo" while Orunmila was named "Barapetu". Orunmila and Obatala left Ipetumodu for Ile-Ife, but left Akalako the son of Obatala in the city. Akalako then became the first king of the city.
During the Owu War, Isope and Iwaro, two Ipetumodu villages, were attacked thereby causing the Exodus of many people. It was after the war that the two villages were rebuilt. Ipetumodu witnessed the arrival of large number of war refugees from Apomu during the Ganamu war. The refugees deserted their town in order to escape the impending invasion by the Ibadan army. The people of Ipetumodu repelled most of the military advances of the Ibadan into their territory.
The 1886 peace treaty initiated by the British to put an end to the Yoruba civil strife also had some traumatic effects on Ipetumodu. The treaty had stipulated that Modakeke, who had been at constant wars with their fellow Ife host, would be resettled temporarily in Ipetumodu, Moro and Edunabon and other Origbo towns before their final resettlement by the Osun-Odo Oba confluence between Iwo and Ibadan. The British authorities however, failed to implement the treaty to the letter early enough and on the 27th of March, 1909, some Modakeke refugees settled in Owu Ipole, Gbongan, Edunabon, Ede, Lasole and Akanle while many others led by the reigning Ogunsua settled in Ode Omu. On Sunday, 18th of July 1909, the Modakekes suddenly and surreptitiously displaced the Ipetumodu farmers who had gone to celebrate the annual "Egungun festival" from their farms. The British authorities later endorsed the permanent settlement of Modakeke refugees on Ipetumodu land without any compensation.
Geography
Ipetumodu is located o the western uplands of Yoruba land in western Nigeria, this area lies between 300 and 600 meters above sea level. It is located in the high forest also called rain forest. The annual rainfall is estimated to be between 130 and 150 centimeters annually, and humidity of over 80%. This high humidity and long raining season support the cultivation of perennial cash crops such as cocoa and kolanut tree. Although the town is now fairly urbanized the hinterland west and east of the town centre is home to cocoa, oil palm and kolanut plantation which are usually own by private individual from the town. Ipetumodu is the headquarters of the Ife North local government of Osun State Nigeria. The city is about 218 kilometers from Lagos, the commercial capital of Nigeria. It shares a boundary with Ile-Ife, the spiritual headquarters of the Yoruba Kingdom, Yakooyo, Asipa, Akinlalu, Gbongan and Ode-omu.
Ipetumodu has two markets. Obada market is held every fifth day and is located at the city center. Akinola market is held every Friday. It was strategically located near Ife-Ibadan expressway, which makes it one of the popular markets in Osun state.
