Ota Traditional Chiefs - Olorogun Chiefs

Olorogun Chiefs

The four Olorogun chiefs are also known as quarter chiefs. Each quarter is a section of the town of Ota that each chief is responsible for overseeing. These chiefs can judge minor disputes between the people in his quarter and also represent the minor chieftains in their quarter to the Olota and the Kingmakers council.

The group of Kingmakers that select the Olorogun chiefs are different for each of the four titles. Each Kingmaker group consists of a combination of minor chiefs from the quarter as well as some higher ranking chiefs that sit on the Olota Kingmaker committee.

• The Ajana of Ijana quarter

Ajana means "One who fights on the road" in the Yoruba language. He is the most senior chief in the Ijana quarter of Ota. Traditionally, the Ajana led the residents of his quarter to fight any potential threats to Ota, as Ijana quarter is the gateway to the town of Ota. He was also responsible for imprisoning and punishing criminals. Because of this, he is considered the first among equals among the Olorogun chiefs.

There are two ruling houses that produce Ajanas: the Ijitsu and the Aribiti. Each alternates in choosing the next Ajana. The candidates are presented by the family head to the nine Kingmakers: the Balogun, the Seriki, the Bada of Ijana, the Olori of Ijana, the Oluwo of Osugbo Itoki, the Lisa, the Eletu of Ijana, the Oganla of Ijana, and the Oloregan of Osugbo Itoki.

• The Onikotun of Otun quarter

The title Onikotun comes from Oniko-Otun, meaning "The representative of Otun" in the Yoruba language. The Onikotun ranks second to the Ajana. He is the head chief of the Otun quarter of Ota, and advises the Olota on issues affecting his community. There is only one ruling house that produces the Onikotun: the Ijagba family. The family head presents candidates to six Kingmakers: the Odota, the Odofin, the Aro, the Olori of Otun, the Oluwo, and the Balogun of Otu.

• The Onikosi of Osi quarter

The title Onikosi is a shortened form of Oniko-Osi, which means "Representative of Osi" in the Yoruba language. He is the head chief of the Osi quarter, and advises the Olota on issues affecting his community. There are three ruling houses that produce candidates for the Onikosi: the Iloti, the Isiki, and the Ikin. The three houses rotate to allow each a chance to produce an Onikosi. The head of the family presents candidates to ten Kingmakers: the Ekerin, the Bada of Osi, the Balogun of Osi, the Olori of Iwaiye, the Akeja Oniyanru of Osi, the Odogun, the Olori of Osi, the Seriki of Osi, the Asalu, and the Odofin of Osugbo Itoki.

• The Akogun of Oruba quarter

The Akogun is equal in rank to the Onikosi, and is the head chief of the Oruba quarter of Ota. He is a member of the Ikogun/Igebe family, who presents potential candidates to seven Kingmakers: the Seriki of Oruba, the Asiwaju of Oruba, the Olori of Oruba, the Balogun of Oruba, the Oloregan, the Ojumo, and the Eleru of Oruba.