Offa, Kwara

Offa Olalomi
City
Offa Location in Nigeria
Coordinates:
Country	Nigeria
State	Kwara State
LGA(s)	Offa
Population (2006)
• Total	88,975 Federal Republic of Nigeria, Population Distribution: 2,006 Census Priority Tables Vol.3 (page 38)
Time zone	WAT (UTC+1)

Offa is a city located in Kwara State, central Nigeria with a population of about 90,000 inhabitants. The vegetation in Offa is savanna vegetation and the town is noted for its weaving and dyeing trade, using vegetable dyes made from locally grown indigo and other plants. Offa is well known for cultivation of Sweet potatoes and maize which also formed part of the favourite staple foods of the indigenes in the town. Offa in one of her eulogy is being address as the home of sweet potatoes. Cattle, goats and sheep are also raised in the environs. The key religions practised in the town are:- Islam, Christianity and Traditional religions.

The ancient tradition for which the town is known is wrestling. Offa's rich history is comprehensively documented in a book written by James Bukoye Olafimihan an educationist and clergyman titled 'Iwe Itan Offa', literally translated The Book of the History of Offa.

Offa is on the railway line from Lagos, the former capital of Nigeria, and Offa served as the railway terminus before the line was extended north to Kano and Nguru.

Tertiary institutions in the town include the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, established in 1992, the Kwara State College of Health Technology (established 1976 [1]), and the Nigeria Navy School of Health Sciences. Summit University, Offa which has just been approved by the Nigerian Universities Commission. There is also one private University and a polytechnic whose construction are near completion.

The two Royal families in the city of Offa are the Anilelerin and Olugbense. They are well known in Offa's history. Some prominent families who are well known are the Ijaiyas, the Olatinwos, the Giwas and the Adekeyes. Prominent individuals who are known nationwide includes, Fadilat Maolana Sheikh Jamiu Shamsudeen (Bulala), Fadilat Maolana Sheikh Mohammed Raji (Afelele),Aremo (Prof) Mosbalaje Olaloye Oyawoye (CON), Group Captain Salaudeen Latinwo (rtd), Chief Sunday Olawoyin (The late Asiwaju of Offa), Chief Olatunji Emmanuel Adesoye (OON), Dr Tunji Olagunju, Dr AWA Ibrahim, Alhaji Kunle Ajeigbe, Alhaji Leke Shitu, Justice Adegbite,Chief Ayo Raji and Dr Ismaila Bello who has actively helped in illuminating lives of offa locals with various outreach programs.

Offa was first settled around AD 1000 by Yoruba. The Offatedo of osun state, Iyana Offa in Oyo State, Offa in Cote devoire, are all emanated from Offa. Presently the stool of Olofa is in contention. The prominent knighted chiefs of Offa include Esa, Ojomu, Sawo, Ola and Balogun. The praise name of Offa is "Ijakadi Loro Offa", a Yoruba phrase meaning "wrestling is our game". The city's mascot is the peacock bird which is one of the most prominent exotic avian species in the region and also because the town is a beautiful place.

Offa Grammar School [2] is the first community grammar school in northern Nigeria.

Offa has more recently become well known in Nigeria for being home to Adesoye College, one of the most prominent private schools in Nigeria. The school's proprietor, Chief Adesoye is also the founder of Okin Biscuits. Both institutions have brought him and Offa fame throughout Nigeria.

Bibliography

• Barber, Karin: I Could Speak Until Tomorrow, London 1991.
• Olafimihan, James Bukoye: Iwe Itan Offa (The Book of the History of Offa).

References

http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/177526-nigeria-approves-9-new-private-universities.html