Lamodi: The Moses Of Egba People

Ajibola Olatoye

The name 'Lamodi' may not ring bell even among many indigenes of Abeokuta and Egbaland, the name 'Moses' does. What many people do not know however is that the former was to Egba people what the latter was to Israelites.

The bible make us believe that after many years of servitude in Egypt, time was rife for the Israeli test to not just free themselves but find a new 'home'. Moses' coming was godsent at that crucial time; he gave his people the leadership they needed by forging them together and eventually gained freedom from Egypt.

In the aftermath of the chaos that enveloped Yorubaland when Oyo Empire collapsed in 19th century, Egba city states (Orile Egbas) that were concentrated in and around modern day Ibadan became more or less refugee camps. These refugees who were mainly of Oyo stock joined forces with Ife and Ijebu in sacking Orile Owu in around 1826. They followed this up with sacking Egba City states one after the other.

With the sackings came confusion, the sacked inhabitants of these orlie Egbas started pouring into Ibadan where their traders had made their own base, for safety and security reasons. While in Ibadan living among their enemies, the Egbas lived perpetually in fear ad they were subjected to all forms of dehumanisation. This made them want out of their fatherland, so, they yearned for a leader, just like the Israelites, to take them to 'Canaan'.

Lamodi stepped out and led his people out of Ibadan towards the site of modern Abeokuta. Just as Egyptians did not want the Israelites to leave Egypt, the allied forces that had made Ibadan their home did not want Egba people to leave, so, they pursued them.

It is on record that Moses did not reach the Promised Land; he only heard of it. Lamodi also did not reach Egba's Promised Land; he only heard of it. The pursuing allied forces caught up with the fleeing Egbas at around modern Odeda Town. Lamodi detailed his protégé and lieutenant, Sodeke, to continue the journey while he led few of his other lieutenants to face the mighty and powerful allied forces. Of course, Lamodi knew he and his makeshift army had no chances against their opponents but he deliberately sacrificed his life to safe Egba people from perpetual servitude. He knew that if his people could get to their destination then it will be impossible for their enemies to overcome them. Intelligence report had it that the site of their destination was impregnable and would take extra efforts, resources and time to overcome its dwellers (this much was confirmed in future as many groups like Ibadan, Dahomey, Ijebu and others tried in futile to take Abeokuta). Now, his people needed time to get there and put up their defence, his sacrifice bought that time for them. Their new destination that his sacrifice bought for Egba people is what we know as Abeokuta today, it is the capital of Ogun State of Nigeria.

Olatoye Jibola G.

History Teacher

Command Day Secondary School 

Nyangoa Barracks, Lafenwa, Abeokuta 

07054043435.