Kisi is a large town in Oyo State, Nigeria. It is the headquarters of the IrepoLocal Government Area. Kisi is located at the northern part of Oyo state and is the headquarters of Irepo local government. Kisi is an extension of old Katunga which was collapsed in the 18th century as a result of Jihad activity by the Hausa/Fulani of Ilorin, Kwara state. Kisi is about 250km from Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo state, and about 150km from Oyo Alafin. The town has an official post office.
History
Historically, different tribes such as the Baruba, Yoruba, Nupe had been in existence in Kisi since the 13th century. According to some oral traditions, the first inhabitant in a place called "Igbo-Ifa" was Kilisi Yeruma, a Baruba man. Subsequently, two Yorubas joined Kilisi Yeruma and ardently supported him in the formation of the town. Later, the place was named "Kilisi", the name of the first inhabitant. After the omission of the letters "l" and "i", it remains Kisi. This is the origin of the town's name. However, the corrupt version of the town's name, Kishi, is still revolving round the original name. Today the name is either written as Kisi or Kishi.
Economics
The progress and development of a particular village, town, city, state or nation depends on the total amount of commitment to economic expansion and development. Rahim Sulayman found that the main occupation of Kisi people is farming. The economic progress is determined by the farm produce. The major farm produce includes yam, maize, and guinea-corn. The blacksmiths also play a key role because they produce hoes, cutlass and other farm equipment. The produce are exported to other cities like Lagos, Ilorin, the capital city of Kwara State, and Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo state. Today, the town has s strong commitment to economic advancement of Oyo state. It is known as the "food basket of Oyo state". Meanwhile, Kishi community is known for public participation often called ‘Build and Transfer’ to the government. Few amongst these ‘Build and Transfer’ are the first Secondary School in Kishi baptized as “Kishi Community Grammar School established in 1976, Kishi Police Station 1969, Kishi Post Office, Kishi Muslim Hospital established in 2009, Kishi School of Nursing established in 2016, Kishi Fire Service Office in 1980 among others. All these establishments were later transferred to either the state or federal government in the name of public participation.
Religion
In research conducted by Ahmad Tijani Surajudeen and Muhammad Zahiri, it was shown that in Kisi, as in any other part of Yoruba land specifically and Nigeria generally, there are three predominant religions: traditional, Christianity and Islam. The traditional religion from Oyo-Ile reached the town in 1820. The traditionalists celebrate various festivals such as Egungun, Sango, and Iyemaja. Through Joseph Ladipo in 1910, Christianity reached the town. The first place of worship was First Baptist Church, located at Ajegunle Area, Kisi. The second place of worship was constructed in 1950. Islam reached Kisi through a popular Oloyoyo family in 1868. Later, Teefa's family was influenced by Oloyoyo's family. Both families propagated Islam in the town and its environs. The area where Oloyoyo's family resides is called Isale-Imole, a name which has two meanings. The first meaning is an area where the religion of Mali came from. The reason for this meaning is because of direct link of West African Islam with Timbuktu, Mali. The second meaning is that, Imole is from Imo-lile i.e. difficult knowledge. Islamic knowledge is considered difficult because of its Arabic inscription in understanding the Qur'an. More so, the arrival of an Islamic scholar, Abdullah bn al-Malik, in 1894, was significant in the historicity of Islam in Kisi. This scholar influenced the conversation of the then king, Adewale Ariwajoye, to Islam which has positive influence on the citizens' acceptance to Islam. Islam has been well grounded in the town today and the Muslims are the majority in the town.
Names of the Past Ibas:
1. Kilisi Yerumo 2. Iba Adetoye 3. Oluwaye Opadijo 4. Asala Lagogodo 5. Akangbe Ologini Igbe 6. Lagbulu Arojojoye 7. Ayinla Janta Folawiyo 8. Abubakare Adewale Folawiyo Ariwajoye I 9. Bello Atoyebi Egunjobi Arowoduye 10. Oderinde Gbadembi Adebimpe 11. Adesina Afolabi Lawan 12. Alhaji Yusuf Owoade Ariwajoye II 13. Alh. Engr. Masoud A. O.L. Arowoduye ll
