<p><br></p><p>The relationship between Akure and Ilesa began when Owa Atakumosa (1526-1546), the king of Ilesa, fled his domain due to internal conflicts and passed through Akure on his way to Benin. During his brief stay, he lodged with Asae in Usae before proceeding to Benin. Notably, he left his daughter Aye with Asae, who was later married to the then Akure king, Oba Ogunja (1533-1554).</p><p><br></p><p>On his journey to Akure, Atakumosa passed through a community called Umole, now known as Ulere, which was renowned for its bean (ewa) cultivation. When returning from Benin to Ilesa, Atakumosa instructed his people to follow the same route, saying "hin jia gba ti ule eree ni," which led to the origin of the name "Ulere" - the house of beans, as "eree" is the Ilesa term for beans.</p><p><br></p><p>Further insight into this historical connection can be found in the Oriki Deji, which mentions "Omo elesi Atakumosa ke ji han mu taba laofin Oba." This line refers to an incident where a sacrifice, including tobacco leaves, was made to appease Atakumosa. This incident later became significant when Adesoye, the son of Oba Ogunja and Olori Aye (Atakumosa's daughter), ascended to the throne in Akure. As the new Deji, Adesoye adopted Atakumosa as his title, likely to honor his maternal heritage, thereby establishing himself as "Omo Owa."</p><p><br></p><p>The visit also had a lasting impact on Akure's agriculture, as Atakumosa introduced the Ogoro plant (raphia palm) to the region, which Asae cultivated for commercial purposes. It is worth noting that Asae was reportedly a relative of Atakumosa.</p><p><br></p><p>This historical event marks the beginning of the relationship between Akure and Ilesa, highlighting the significance of their shared heritage and cultural exchange.</p>