Prominent Towns in Ogun

Papalanto  
Latitude: 6.6887 Lat (DMS) 6° 41' 19N
Longitude: 3.2320 Long (DMS)3° 13' 55E
Elevation (Feet): 167
Population Est.(2006): 352360
Zip Code: 112212

History
Papalanto is a major town situated along the Lagos – Abeokuta Road at its intersection with the Sagamu – Ilaro Road in the Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State. It commands a vantage point for trade, transportation and communication, and falls under the sovereignty of the Olowu of Owu Abeokuta, who installed its Oba, the Onipapa of Papalanto.
In The Beginning:
Papalanto as presently constituted both geographically and ethnically was founded by a brave hunter called Adeitan, an Owu man in the 18th century. Adeitan according to history left Owu in Abeokuta as divined by Ifa Oracle that he should go and find a town where the road leads to the four cardinal point. Apparently, when he got to where today is calleel Papalanto, he consulted Ifa oracle and he was told to stay there.
For a few years, Adeitan and his wife, Olaito, resided in this town without any siblings nor relatives. The first person to join them then was known as Famuyiwa Adegoyinbo who came from Amororo Compound, Totoro Abeokuta, one of the prominent ruling houses in Owu Kingdom. After some years of Famuyiwa’s stay with Adeitan and Olaito he was adopted as their son because of their childlessness and he inherited all their properties and Papalanto.
The Name Papalanto:
Olaito, wife of Adeitan was a food seller. Many hunters and travelers stopped by to have a taste of her delicious and tasty meals.
This went on for many years, and many of those who eat at Olaito’s canteen never had the opportunity of seeing her husband, Adeitan, physically because he was always on hunting spree from one forest to another. As a result of her popularity, the area was referenced as Papa Olaito (Olaito’s village) which was later corrupted to PAPALANTO, a name it has retained till today
Administrative System:
Papalanto was first established at a place called Oju-Oja, now Isale Alfa. As many people migrated to Papalanto and there is need for a leader, Adeitan the founder automatically became the first Baale of Papalanto; starting from its first day in the 18th century. It is noteworthy that Adeitan and Olaito loved themselves so much, but the most surprising thing was that they both disappeared at the same time, no single person knows where to till this day.
After their demise so to say, Famuyiwa Adegoyinbo their only adopted son became the second Baale for many years. Some of the earliest families that settled down at Papalanto after Famuyiwa are: Ajigbayin Akinola from Ago-Owu Memunu Compound; Sadiku Liasu Family from Oke-Ago Owu Compound Shoyinka Family from Ago-Owu Ala Compound all in Owu Kingdom, Abeokuta.
Traditionally, administrative system as it was then was; the Baale (community Head). As at the last count, a total of eleven Baales from the 18th century – 2005 have ruled in Papalanto. The last Baale was late Chief Musulumi Olatoye Jinadu who was also the first coronet Oba to be crowned by his royal majesty Oba Adegboyega Dosunmu, the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, in Papalanto and whose reign only lasted for a brief period of twelve months (January 2006 – December 2006).
Neighbouring Villages:
Initially, Papalanto has a total of twenty-five villages under its control. It was after the introduction of the new traditional ruling system of Coronet Obas that it was reduced to twelve. However, Papalanto shares her boundary with Gudugba village from the Lagos axis; Ajobiewe Iyana Egbado from the Abeokuta axis, Abule Ododo Wasinmi Alaafia from the New Ilaro Road axis, and Ishofin and Oke-Lemo from old Ilaro Road. All these viliages have in one way or the other enjoyed a lot of physical development through the vantage position of proximity to Papalanto town.

Ethnic Tribes:
In the 18th Century down to 19th Century, the only tribe in Papalanto are Yorubas most especially, the Owus, Gbaguras, Ijaiyes and others, the construction of New Lagos-Abeokuta express road led to the mass migration of many tribes to Papalanto which brought physical development to places like Ori-Ogbo, Araromi, Ajegunle, Fowowawo (now cailed Sawniill) and many other areas after places like Oju-Oja Isale Alfa, Alagbede compound, Ago-Ika and Ago-Ijaiye compound.
Today, other tribes like the Hausa, Igbos, Egun, Idoma, Igedes, and many other tribes now trade, reside and earn their living with ease in Papalanto. Up till today as it was then, Papalanto has remained a land of peace, love and unity.
Occupational Activities:
In the 18th century down to 19th century the major occupation was farming and hunting. Today, many occupational activities and businesses have sprung up. It’s noteworthy at this junction to say that the planting of sugarcane that had been in existence since the 18th century has never been relegated into the background, rather the patronage has steadily been on the increase to the extent that other tribes such as the Hausa, Igedes now earn their living through the sales of sugarcane.
Education:
Right from 19th century, the indigene of Papalanto and its environs took the issue of education seriously; little wonder that many indigenes of Papalanto and it neighbouring villages enrolled at United Anglican Primary School, which was founded in 1945 and arguably the first primary school within Papalanto and its environs.
However, it was during the tenure of Chief Safaru Shodehinde as Councilor for Papalanto Ward that Papalanto High School was founded in 1980. Similarly, the primary Health Centre was founded and commissioned during his tenure; this brought new lease of life to Papalanto and its environs.
Prominent Indigenes:
Today, Papalanto has a lot of indigenes spread across the length and breadth of Nigeria, but the story of Papalanto will be incomplete if the names of those who brought a lot of changes and development to Papalanto are not mentioned, most especially in the area of electricity. These inciude Late Chief Tomori Sholanke, Hon. (Alhaji) Afeez Olawoyin, and the then Mr Rasaq Ishola Jimoh (now the Onipapa of Papalanto). They all worked tirelessly for the success of electricity in Papalantb. Also, it was during the tenure of Hon. Adeolu Adekanmbi as Councilor for Papalanto Ward that the Papalanto Market was constructed and commissioned.
Similarly, there are many prominent families who voluntarily released large parcels of their family land for the construction of the Primary Health Centre, Papalanto High School, Papalanto Market and many other projects. Families like – Famuyiwa, Adeosun and Adekanmbi Families.

Past Baales:

• Chief Adeitan
• Chief Famuyiwa
• Chief Shoyinka Amodu
• Chief Ajigbayin
• Chief Sadiku Liasu
• Chief Olatoye Jinadu
• Chief Samuel Shoyinka
• Chief Amodu Ige 1966 – 1967
• Chief Sanmi Adekunle 1967 – 1975
• Chief Sikiru Olawoyin 1981 – 1992
• Chief Musulimi O. Jimadu 1994 – 2005

The Past Oba:

• H.R.M. Musulimi O. Jinadu Jan 2006 – Dec. 2006.

List of Baales/Villages under Papalanto:

• Chief Prince S.O. Kehinde Ishofin
• Chief Lamina Ibikunle Gudugba
• Chief Musiliu O. Akingbata Abule Odo
• Chief Samson Sokeye Ayepe Station
• Chief Alfred A.O. Jolaso Ayepe Ogunro
• Chief Augustus Akinola Oko-Lemo
• Chief Ebun Rashidi Akinbo
• Chief ]oshua Oniyitan Iyana Egbado
• Chief Ajobiewe Olukoya Ajobiewe
• Chief Elkanah A. Adesanya Wasinmi Alafia
• Chief Satari Lawal Ewekoro Iporo
• Chief Suraju Adebowale Ewekoro Land
• Chief Johnson Akinrinade Akirikan

Source:H.R.M. Oba Rasaki Jimoh Famuyiwa.
Onipapa of Papalanto.