The founders of Eruwa were from Oyo Eruwa Ojoko, a town surrounded by a range of hills, is the headquarters of the Ibarapa East Local Government Region. It is an ancient city that predates colonization and has a rich cultural heritage. According to history, in the pre-colonial years, the Alaafin of Oyo, who was the head of other rulers, recognized Eruwa as the capital of the eastern district of Ibarapa. And according to the history of Eruwa which is famous for its many hills including: Akolu, Adoko, Andoro, Apanpa, Eetaka, Ilewu, Ofere, Ogodo, Ojoko, Okele, Oluweri, Wee-wee-onigba-poro and Obaseeku, among many others.
The leader of the group was Obaseeku, a prince, a naked hunter and also a powerful shaman. Obaseeku married Oyinlola, the Princess of Oyo. This marriage resulted in two sons.The first son was named Akalakoyi (meaning the vultures rejected him) and the second son was Olaribikusi. The two children and their descendants still form the two ruling families of Eruva. The city is characterized by numerous hills. Perhaps the most important issue for the early settlers was the need for adequate security in times of frequent war.
Akolu Hill is the rock where the former Oba Eleruwa of Eruwa settled after migrating from Igboho and marrying Alaafin’s daughter. Every year they worship Black Cow Hill as a tribute to their great ancestors. If they refuse, the entire city will not experience peace, making it another attractive center for tourists.
Akolu is a rock that no king of the Yoruba land, from then until now, dared to look at or see when he passed near it. AKOLU ROCK is so powerful that a researcher nearly died at the hands of the gods while exploring a particular hill called Akolu. The Eruans in ancient times valued and believed in this rock so much that they defined it as a “safe paradise” against external aggression and in times of war. Like other Africans, the Eruwa people were historically polytheistic. They worshiped several famous gods and goddesses including Oro, Sango, Egungun, Orisa oko, Osanyin, Yemoja and Ifa. The first corrugated iron house in Eruwa was built in 1908. After the massive destruction of Eruwa by fire in 1922, most people began preparations for corrugated iron production. The Eruwa are ruled by a monarch whose recognized traditional title is Eleruwa, meaning owner/ruler of the Eruwa.
Rules the city with the help of its chiefs and district heads, who bear the traditional title of Baale. In 1979, the former military governor of Oyo State, Jemibewon, ranked Eleruwa fifth out of the 67 traditional rulers recognized by the state government. The eruvah is significant in many ways. It is the headquarters of ibarapa, which consisted of seven towns: Eruwa, Lanlate, Igboora, Idere, Ayete, Tapa and Igangan.
In pre-colonial times, Eruwa was recognized by the Alaafin of Oyo as the capital of Ibarapa District. Even during the colonial period, this leadership position was easily maintained through political, economic and social services, which culminated, among other things, in structural development. In 1915, administrative rest houses were built in Eruwa and a native villa was opened in Eruwa in the same year.
