Igede was founded by a man named Ake, who migrated from Ile-Ife with his wife, Erindo. They had 16 children, including Ogbese, Elemi, and Osun. After their father’s death, the children fought fiercely over leadership, using powerful incantations (Ogede). The battle was so intense that some siblings transformed into natural elements like rivers and trees, while others vanished or were swallowed by the earth. Witnesses described the location as the place where siblings fought with “Ogede” (incantations), which eventually evolved into the name Igede.
- Royal Birth and Early Life
Oba James Aladesuru was born in 1933 to Oba Aladesuru I and Johanna Ogunkolade Aladesuru. - He was crowned Onigede of Igede-Ekiti on June 26, 1959, making him one of the longest-serving traditional rulers in Yorubaland.
- Educational Journey
He attended Baptist Central School, Igede-Ekiti, and completed his primary education in 1954. Due to financial constraints after losing his father at age 8, he could not attend secondary school. - Talents and Hobbies
As a child, he was known as a talented artist and a great footballer, defeating top school teams in Ado-Ekiti during his primary school years. - Early Work Experience
Before ascending the throne, he worked as a photography apprentice in Iseyin (now in Oyo State) and later served as a pupil teacher at Baptist primary schools. - Lifestyle and Discipline
He leads a highly disciplined life, eating only home-grown food and drinking juice made from fruits on his farm. Despite carrying palm wine in his youth, he never tasted alcohol. - Legacy of Progress
When he became king, there was only one secondary school and one university graduate in Igede. Today, the town has over seven secondary schools, a school of health technology, and countless university graduates.
