Iseyin
Iseyin is a city located in the Nigerian state of Oyo. It is approximately 100 kilometers north of Ibadan. The city was estimated to have a population of 236,000, per a United Nations 2005 estimate, which increased to 302,990 in 2011[1], and has a total land mass of 1,419 km²[2]. Iseyin is centrally located and accessible via road networks from Ibadan, Oyo, Abeokuta, and Ogbomoso. There are expanses of land which can be used for industrial, agricultural and institutional purposes in and around the city. The title of the monarch of Iseyin is "The Aseyin of Iseyin".
Iseyin Iseyin-Okeogun | |
|---|---|
LGA and town | |
| Nickname(s): Iseyin oro, oro ọmọ ebedi mọkọ | |
  Iseyin | |
| Coordinates: 7°58′N 3°36′E | |
| Country |  |
| State | Oyo State |
| Government | |
| • Local Government Chairman and the Head of the Local Government Council | Abolade Yekinni Akanni |
| Area | |
| • Total | 548 sq mi (1,419 km2) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (WAT) |
| Climate | Aw |
Education
The city has a private Polytechnic named SAF Polytechnic,Iseyin, a Government Technical College and the Oyo state NYSC (National Youth Service Corps) permanent orientation camp. Iseyin also has an ultra modern private Digital Library named Raji Oke-Esa Memorial Library, the library was commissioned by the Nigeria former president, General (Rtd.) Olusegun Obasanjo .
Industry
The primary industry of the area is cotton-based textiles.[3] Iseyin is the fourth largest city in Oyo, after Ibadan, Ogbomoso and Oyo. Iseyin is also known as the home of Aso Òkè. Aso Òkè or Òfì is a popular traditional fabric mostly used for ceremonies amongst the Yoruba people of Nigeria.
Friesland Campina (Wamco) has a milk processing center in the city.
Agriculture
Tobacco is grown in Iseyin, amongst other food and cash crops,[3] it is as a result of this that a big tobacco company - British American Tobacco - has a "leave office" in the city. Iseyin is part of the Oke-Ogun towns referred to as the “food basket’’ of Nigeria.
Because of sustainable annual rainfall in the area, the major agricultural activities are farming, hunting, fishing, and food processing, among others. Iseyin produces virtually all farm produces such as yam, maize, cassava, plantain among many others
Ikere Gorge dam
Ikere Gorge dam is located in the city, it was said to be the second largest dam when it was discovered alongside Kanji dam, during President Obasanjo's regime (Military). Ikere gorge dam is a man made dam, It is a source of water for communities in Iseyin LGA. During rainy season, the dam do swells to full capacity.
Traditional weaving
The primary industry of Iseyin is cotton-based textiles, and Iseyin reputed as the home of Aso Ofi or Aso Oke, a popular traditional fabric worn on special occasions by the Yoruba usually for coronation, chieftaincy, wedding engagement, festivals, naming ceremony and other important events.
The maiden Aso-Ofi festival was observed on September 27, 2016, during the World Tourism Day. The festival was conceptualized to showcase and celebrate a locally made fabric in Oyo State.[4]
References
- National Population Commission of Nigeria (web)
- Adewuyi, Kehinde; Adeyemo; Adejumo (December 2018). "Use of GIS in production of soil series map in Oyo State, southwestern Nigeria" (PDF). International Research Journal of Earth Sciences. 6(12): 12–21. ISSN 2321-2527 – via www.isca.in.
- "The Columbia Encyclopedia". Retrieved 2007-04-06.
- "I-S-E-Y-I-N : Home of Yoruba's Aso-Ofi". Sun Newspaper.
