![]() ![]() It is hoped that the Ondo State government and the government of Nigeria will help develop it into a world class tourist attraction. Ilajeland is only about 75 kilometers from Lagos and its aquatic environment present the area as a suitable environment for tourism. Igbokoda, the Ilaje local government headquarters is fast becoming an international trade center as its popular market attracts traders not only from other part of Nigeria, but, also from other African countries especially Togo, Benin, Ghana, Cameroon and Gabon. Thousands of migrant Ilaje fishermen can be found in many other coastal communities all over Nigeria in places like Epe, Escravos, Warri, Badagry, Brass and Nembe. Wherever the river current runs through, there you will find the Ilaje. Ilaje's fishing dexterity is underlined by a popular saying among the Ilaje that: This is underscored by the fact that the Ilaje's geographical sphere has one of the longest coastlines in Nigeria. Fishing however remains the major agricultural preoccupation of the Ilaje. The occupational activities of the Ilajes include fishing, canoe making, lumbering, net making, mat making, launch building, farming and trading. The natural environment of Ilajeland is particularly suitable for the development of large scale rice plantations and the salt industry. Agricultural products include: Fish, Poultry, piggery, Maize, Palm oil, Vegetables, Timber, Rafia, Poultry, Copra, cocoyam, Bananas and Cassava. Aiyetoro for example in its hey-days had the highest per capita income in the whole of Africa due to its early discovery of crude petroleum, and attracted visitors, tourists and researchers from all over the world.Īpart from petroleum found in the area, other mineral raw materials available in Ilajeland include glass sand, salt, Tar sand/ Bitumen, quartz and clay. Consequently, they were able to build large communities like Ugbonla, Aiyetoro, Zion PePe and Orioke. Their aquatic skill, coupled with their ability to adapt enabled them to conquer their harsh geographical environment and turn it to their advantage. The Ilajes are one of the most dynamic and enterprising people in Nigeria. ![]() The Ikale to the north bound the Mahins, the Itsekiri people who the Ilajes consider their cousins, share the eastern border with the Ugbos, the Yoruba speaking Apoi and Arogbo Ijaws are located to the north east in Ese Odo LGA, and the Atlantic Ocean is situated on the southern boundary. Towards the western reaches, the Aheri and Etikan share border with the Ijebus. Ilaje land has an area of 1,318 km 2 (509 sq mi) and a population of 290,615 at the 2006 census although the population can be said to have been under enumerated due to the riverine nature of the area, and lack of accessibility by road/land. The area they occupy today is Ondo State, an outlet to the sea. They mainly occupy the Atlantic coastline of Ondo State of Nigeria while a large population of them settles on land in the hinterland. Ilajes were said to have left Ile Ife, their original ancestral home in the 10th century. A short introductory expose of Itebu Kunmi village in Ùlàjẹ by a native speaker Origins ![]()
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