WHO WAS BALOGUN BELLO KUKU?

Balogun Bello Odueyungbo KUKU was an enigma! Born in the year 1845 and passed on in 1907; Balogun Kuku lived a "forever life"! First in everything he put his hands to, Balogun Kuku set records in 19th century Ijebu-land that remained unbroken throughout his era! He was the Wealthiest Man. The Fearless Warrior. The Clever Diplomat. The Truce Maker. The Loyal Subject. The Noble Chief. The Patriotic Citizen. The Caring Father of the Largest Family. The Loving Husband of 38 wives. The Benevolent Master of over 200 Servant-staff. A puzzler who was nearly deified! He was the Balogun (Generalissimo) of Ijebu from 1890 till his demise in 1907. This period was a reign of the greatest events that have shaped the history of the modern day Ijebu land!

Balogun Bello Kuku makes the hall of fame of the greatest warlords that ruled the history of 19th century Yoruba land! The 19th century in the Yoruba nation of West Africa was perhaps the most eventful era in our all-time history. And alas! Balogun Kuku was in the thick of events that defined this segment of our history… The several wars, the conquest of kingdoms and territories, the show of wealth, the power play, our native technologies, astrology, science and finally the entry of the British colonialists into our lands and politics were all events that made the 19th century Yoruba history very interesting!

And when you talk about the men that made these things happen, Balogun Kuku was first mention in Ijebu and makes the hall of fame in the entire region known as Yoruba land! He was so great a warrior that the Ooni of Ife of his time found him worthy to call for his help. The Ijesha warriors were making incursions beyond their territory and they were moving in to conquer the revered Ile Ife; cradle of the Yoruba race! Balogun Kuku was called upon to come all the way from Ijebu Ode to defend Ile Ife. He went to fight, conquered and helped to successfully repel the Ijesha forces from Ile Ife!

Balogun Kuku led Ijebu-Ode to victory at the Ogunsegun War of 1890 (Ijebu Igbo vs Ijebu Ode). He consistently defended the throne of the Awujale and kept it supreme as he quelled every insurrection of other Ijebu communities against the Awujales that reigned during his term. He was the Truce Maker at the Imagbon War (Ogun Danasungbo) of 1892 when he did a perfect diplomatic job in the feud between the British Colonial Powers and Ijebu. The wealthiest Ijebu man of his time. Patriarch of the largest Ijebu Family. Champion of Islam in Ijebu land. He was the Originator of the Ojude Oba Festival, which has developed into one of the biggest cultural tourism events in Africa today!

THE HOME OF THE GREAT KUKU

"OLORUNSOGO" THE TIMELESS MASTERPIECE OF IJEBU

July 2024, The Government of Ogun State Nigeria was making a compilation of buildings with Special Architectural and Historical / Cultural Significance. They inventoried buildings and artefacts that will be of historical significance and receive special attention from the Government as heritage and tourism centres; and Balogun Kuku's house in Ijebu Ode was of priority choice!

SPECIAL FEATURES

First Brick House in Ijebu Ode. First Private House in Ijebu to be built by foreign expatriates. The Attic Room of 'OLORUNSOGO' was the Highest Point in Ijebu Ode in its time. You could take a bird's eye view of the entire city of Ijebu-Ode from the Attic Room. The compound floor of the 'OLORUNSOGO' was raised high above the road level; as high as lintel/roof level of neighbouring bungalows. This makes the house effectively the height of a 4-floor building! …as early as 1897 After his trophies in the several wars and during the reign of peace and prosperity that Ijebu land began to witness after the British-Ijebu peace accord brokered by Balogun Kuku, it was time to settle down to his dream home! Balogun Bello Kuku ventured into the construction of an edifice befitting of his status and large enough to accommodate his big family. He wanted not just a house; he wanted a "modern mansion" that even Europeans would be envious of! He wanted a never-before-seen edifice in Ijebu-Ode. He wanted a masterpiece!

THE CHILDREN OF BALOGUN BELLO ODUEYUNGBO KUKU

WATCH SHORT CLIP ABOUT THE GREAT BALOGUN KUKU FAMILY