Owo is a town in the Ondo

Ondo State

Ondo State, Nigeria was created on 3 February 1976 from the former Western State. It originally included what is now Ekiti State, which was split off in 1996. Akure is the state capital.-Government and society:...

 state of Nigeria

Nigeria

Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...

. Between the years 1400 and 1600 AD it was the capital of a Yoruba

Yoruba people

The Yoruba people are one of the largest ethnic groups in West Africa. The majority of the Yoruba speak the Yoruba language...

 city-state

City-state

A city-state is an independent or autonomous entity whose territory consists of a city which is not administered as a part of another local government.-Historical city-states:...

.

Etymology

According to Owo historian Chief Ashara, the name Owo derives from the first ruler, or Olowo, named Ojugbelu. His pleasant manner earned him the name Owo, meaning respectful, and the name was passed on to his descendants and followers.

History

In their oral tradition, Owo traces its origins to the ancient city of Ile-Ife, the cradle of Yoruba culture. Oral tradition also claims that the founders were the sons of the Yoruba deity Odudua, who was the first ruler of Ile-Ife. The early art-historical and archaeological records reinforce these strong affiliations with Ife culture. Owo was able to maintain virtual independence from the neighboring kingdom of Benin

Benin

Benin , officially the Republic of Benin, is a country in West Africa. It borders Togo to the west, Nigeria to the east and Burkina Faso and Niger to the north. Its small southern coastline on the Bight of Benin is where a majority of the population is located...

, but was on occasion required to give tribute. The transmission of courtly culture flowed in both directions between the Benin and the Owo kingdoms. The skill of Owo's ivory carvers was also appreciated at the court of Benin. During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, Benin's rulers increasingly utilized insignia made from ivory, and imported Owo's art objects and recruited its artisans for their own royal workshops.
there were othe notable artworks that can be evidently supported

Owo came under British

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...

 rule in 1893. After Nigeria declared independence in 1960, it was part of the Western Region

Western Region, Nigeria

The Western Region was a subdivision of the federation of Nigeria until 1967. Its capital was at Ibadan.It was established in the 1930s under British rule as a subdivision of the Southern Nigeria colony...

 until 1967 when it became part of the Western State

Western State (Nigeria)

The former Western State of Nigeria was formed in 1967 when the Western Region was subdivided into the states of Lagos and Western State. Its capital was Ibadan, which was the capital of the old region....

.Owo and its indegenes played significant roles in the politics of the first Republic, in Nigeria. In 1976, it became part of the newly created Ondo State.

The present-day town is an agricultural center involved in the growing and trade of yam

Yam (vegetable)

Yam is the common name for some species in the genus Dioscorea . These are perennial herbaceous vines cultivated for the consumption of their starchy tubers in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Oceania...

s, cassava

Cassava

Cassava , also called yuca or manioc, a woody shrub of the Euphorbiaceae native to South America, is extensively cultivated as an annual crop in tropical and subtropical regions for its edible starchy tuberous root, a major source of carbohydrates...

, maize

Maize

Maize known in many English-speaking countries as corn or mielie/mealie, is a grain domesticated by indigenous peoples in Mesoamerica in prehistoric times. The leafy stalk produces ears which contain seeds called kernels. Though technically a grain, maize kernels are used in cooking as a vegetable...

, okra

Okra

Okra is a flowering plant in the mallow family. It is valued for its edible green seed pods. The geographical origin of okra is disputed, with supporters of South Asian, Ethiopian and West African origins...

, peppers

Capsicum

Capsicum is a genus of flowering plants in the nightshade family, Solanaceae. Its species are native to the Americas where they have been cultivated for thousands of years, but they are now also cultivated worldwide, used as spices, vegetables, and medicines - and have become are a key element in...

, cocoa, and cotton

Cotton

Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective capsule, around the seeds of cotton plants of the genus Gossypium. The fiber is almost pure cellulose. The botanical purpose of cotton fiber is to aid in seed dispersal....

.
There are however other meaningful commercial activities in the town including but not limited to, timber

Timber

Timber may refer to:* Timber, a term common in the United Kingdom and Australia for wood materials * Timber, Oregon, an unincorporated community in the U.S...

 and sawmilling, Soya beans procesing plant and blockmaking industries.
The town is ditted with branches of some of the foremost banks like,First Bank Plc,Skye Bank Plc,(former Omega Bank Plc) etc.
The city is now witnessing a dramatic change and beautification due to expansion of its road network,particularly dualization of the main road beginning from Emure junction up to Iyere exit.A new Ultra-modern market is now opened in Owo.http://www.tribune.com.ng/index.php/community-news/20449-owo-gets-ultra-modern-market

Governance

The town is consitutionally administered by a Local Government headed by an Executive Chairman and supported by other responsible personnel as prescribed by the Constitution,However their exist a traditional ruler the Olowo of Owo at the apex of authority,he is supported by quarter head Chiefs and Village or Community Chiefs,they are the link between the King and the respective subject.

This arrangement facilitates rapid dissemination of information from the Government to the citizenry and runs without conflicting with the white-collar arrangement under the constitution.

Prominent among these Chiefs are
The Ojumu of Ugboroko.
The Ojomo of Ijebu,Owo.
The Sasere.
The Ajana of Uloro.
The Alale of Idasen.
The Ulupele of Upele.
the Oliyire of Iyere.
The Elegba of Amurin,Elegba.
The Ajegunma of Ijegunma.
The Olijogun of Isijogun. etc

Notable People

• Michael Adekunle Ajasin
  Michael Adekunle Ajasin
  Michael Adekunle Ajasin is a Nigerian politician who was elected Governor of Ondo State on the Unity Party of Nigeria platform during the Nigerian Second Republic.-Background:...
  
   First Executive Governor of Ondo State
• Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu
  Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu
  Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, or Rotimi Akeredolu, is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria who became president of the Nigerian Bar Association in 2008.-Birth and education:Akeredolu was born on 21 July 1956 in Owo, Ondo State....
  
   Past President of Nigerian Bar Association
• Jumoke Anifowoshe  Barrister,Former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Ondo State.
• Orlando Owoh
  Orlando Owoh
  Orlando Owoh was a highlife musician and band leader. He was a member of the Yoruba ethnic grOwoh was born Oladipupo Owomoyela in Osogbo, Nigeria, but he later became known to his fans as Chief Dr. Orlando Owoh...
  
   Ethnomusicologist
• Chief Meschack Otokiti Feyide Former Secretary General of (OPEC)
• Owaduge Steve Bamidele Microsoft Certified Professional
• Chief FAMA (Faroumbi Aina Mosunmola Adewale-Somadhi)
• Akinola Lasekan (1916-1974)
• Chief M. B. Asharaan Owo Historian
• Rowland Biodun Professor. Department of Black Studies; Art and Art Studies Amherst College
  Amherst College
  Amherst College is a private liberal arts college located in Amherst, Massachusetts, United States. Amherst is an exclusively undergraduate four-year institution and enrolled 1,744 students in the fall of 2009...
  
  . Chair, African Scholars Program Executive Committee
• Simeon Moronfolu Olusola Olakunri (SAN)
• Benjamin ‘Kokoro’ Aderounmu The Owo Born tambourine-playing blind minstrel(1925 – 2009)
• High chief (Mrs) Winifred Adefolahan Awosika  Founder of Crisland Schools, an educationist
• Isaac Sunday Tapere Founder and owner of The Tisco Group of Companies
• Johnson.O.O.OLUATA Professional Accountant & Former General Manager, Mitsui & Co Ltd, Nigeria
  Nigeria
  Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
  
   Office
• Prof. Samuel Aje Director General, Nigeria French Language Village, Badagry and President NITI Lagos Branch
• Kasali D. Obanoyen Former Chairman of the Ondo State owned club, Sunshine Stars
• Professor Daniel Folorunso Adeneprofessor of Veterinary Medicine and The Fulbright Alumni Association member
• Jibola Dabor
• Babatunde Onibode

Religions and Festivals

There are three main religions in Owo: Christianity, Islam, and the local religion The main festival in Owo is the Igogo Festival and Ogun. Other festivals in Owo, now diminishing in importance, are Egungun,Agwe by the Ulale community and Ogbe celebrated by the Amurin-Elegba community.

Medicare

The people of Owo had medical facilities prior to independence, this was made available by the Catholic

Catholic

The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...

 Church ,The Saint Louis Hospital Owo,while the Arajulu bone stting Center provided othopaedic facuilities to augment that, Today there are a number of medical institutions in the town prominent among them are, The Federal Medical Centre (FMC),Owo,and the newly establised State General Hospital Owo

Geography

Owo is in southwestern Nigeria, at the southern edge of the Yoruba Hills, and at the intersection of roads from Akure

Akure

Akure is a city in the southwestern region of Nigeria, and is the largest city and capital of Ondo State. The city has a population of approximately 387,087...

, Kabba

Kabba

Kabba is a town in Kogi State in northern Nigeria. It lies near the Osse River, at the intersection of roads from Lokoja, Okene, Ogidi, Ado-Ekiti, and Egbe. The town is near Abuja.-Description:...

, Benin City

Benin City

Benin City, is a city and the capital of Edo State in southern Nigeria. It is a city approximately twenty-five miles north of the Benin River. It is situated 200 miles by road east of Lagos...

, and Siluko. Owo is situated halfway between the towns of Ile Ife and Benin City

Benin City

Benin City, is a city and the capital of Edo State in southern Nigeria. It is a city approximately twenty-five miles north of the Benin River. It is situated 200 miles by road east of Lagos...

.

Archaeology

The Owo site was first excavated in 1969-1971 by Ekpo Eyo under the auspices of the Department of Antiquities of the Government of Nigeria. Due to Owo's location between the two famous art centers of Ife and Benin, the site reflects both artistic traditions. Important discoveries include terracotta sculptures dating from the 15th century. The Owo Museum, founded in 1968, houses many of these artifacts.

Culture

Owo has the largest palace in Africa which was declared a national monument by the federal government. The Olowo Palace had as many as 100 courtyards. Each courtyard had a specific function and was dedicated to a particular deity. The largest, said to have been twice the size of an American football field, was used for public assemblies and festivals. Some courtyards were paved with quartz pebbles or broken pottery. Pillars supporting the veranda roofs were carved with statues of the king mounted on a horse or shown with his senior wife. The present Olowo is King Folagbade Olateru Olagbegi111

Higher Institutions

A private university in Ondo state is Achievers University

Achievers University

Achievers University is in Owo, Ondo State NigeriaThe University is a private sector initiative, established in 2007 and duly accredited by the National Universities Commission....

.

The city is the home of the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic

Rufus Giwa Polytechnic

Rufus Giwa Polytechnic is a tertiary learning institution in Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria. The National Board for Technical Education has approved it as a state-owned polytechnic.It is also accredited by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria....

, with over 4,000 students.

The town is also known to have feeder institutions and schools some of which are listed below

Government Technical College

Adeyeri Grammar School,Owo

Ahmadiyya Secondary School, Owo

Amunye C.A.C High School, Owo

Imade College, Owo

Methodist High School, Owo

Owo High School, Owo

St Catherines Secondary School,Owo

St Johns, Unity School,Owo

St. Louis Girls Grammar School, Owo