THE GROWTH OF ISANLU-ISIN
Isanlu-Isin belongs to the area that was later proclaimed the protectorate of Northern Nigeria. For the area that became the protectorate of Northern Nigeria, Colonial rule could be said to have started in 1900. This was the year that British rule over the area was declared at Lokoja. For this reason, Isanlu-Isin before colonial rule shall end at this year. The period of commencement is not specific, but it shall start from the early migrations that resulted in the founding of the town. This can be got from ‘the origin of Isanlu-Isin’ which I have posted earlier.
The peaceful nature of Olusin’s domain led in no small measure to the growth of isanlu-isin. For its site as a refuge city attracted displaced refugee to the area, after wards it also encouraged a continuous trickle of people into the town. I have explained in my earlier posts, how Olusin retained the first position and the second position was transcended to the Asanlu while Ologba occupied the third place. Though, the position of a chief is engender by the fact that the grading and thus seniority of Chiefs and sharing of amenities is done according to when a particular chief arrive the town.
Progressive the next chief to arrive was the Alagemo family from Oluyi. The Alagemo occupied the forth position, he moved into Odo-Ona and settled with the Ologba. It is held that before the coming of Alagemo, Odo-Ona used to be known as Ile-Ologba. But with the arrival of Alagemo and create a sence of unity the name was changed to Odo-Ona.
Subsequent arrivals included Asaba. Who was a brother of Aina from Ife. He settled very close to Aina at Okose. Odee came next from Iloo his original homeland. The last to arrive was the isolo group, with Aro heading a section and Alaa heading another. They had earlier settled at Oke-Ara, Odo-Dosin and koto-Otun. These settlements were plundered by external forces,this made them to flee into Isanlu-Isin land, where they settled till this day.
This was the scattered settlement pattern of what later became Isanlu-Isin. They were circumstantially fused together as a result of many factors including lately the incessant raid of the Nupes at one time and Ibadan at another. To forge a united front against these foes, they, one after another moved into what became Isanlu-Isin.
The various settlements thus became wards in Isanlu-Isin. In all, these settlements are Oke-Agbon, Igbaa, Odo-Ona, Iloo, Ose and Isolo, making the six wards of Isanlu-Isin during the era before Colonial rule and up till this day.
