Adesanya’s ‘A Handbook of Sagamu’ on its history, culture, development for launch Thursday

By Editor

A new book, A Handbook of Sagamu, written by Ọmọ’ba Adedeji Adesanya, will be unveiled on Thursday, 27 August 2026, with the publication offering an extensive account of the history, politics, economy, culture and development of Sagamu, an ancient community in Ogun State.

The book, which will be formally launched and presented to the public at the Centenary Hall, Ewusi Street, Sagamu, is described as a comprehensive documentation of the evolution of the ancient city, tracing its journey from its historical roots to its emergence as an important industrial and commercial centre.

Divided into sections, it examines different dimensions of the city’s socio-economic, political and cultural development, using significant dates and events to present its history in what the author describes as a simple and accessible manner.

The first section traces the migration of the people from the Iremọ quarters of Ile-Ife in the 15th century to the development of Sagamu in the 21st century. It also examines the historical background of the Ijebus and the people of Remo, including the account that they were never enslaved.

The book subsequently explores the evolution of government and politics in Sagamu, from the traditional system of administration to the adoption of Western-style democratic governance.

Another section focuses on Sagamu’s transformation from an early trade route linking the Ikorodu port to an important kolanut trading city. It also documents the discovery of limestone and its impact on the establishment of the West African Portland Cement Company (WAPCO), as well as the city’s subsequent emergence as an industrial hub.

Adesanya also examines the impact of colonisation and the arrival of Christian missionaries on education and healthcare in Sagamu. The book considers the environmental consequences of limestone exploration and cement production on the community.

Particular attention is given to the role of Rev. Mellor, described in the book as a priest, missionary, educationist, health worker and politician, in the spread of Christianity and the development of Sagamu.

The publication also documents the evolution of sports and security in the city. It recounts how Ode-Lẹmọ, one of Sagamu’s satellite communities, produced an Olympic champion, while also examining the emergence of the Vigilante security outfit in the 1990s as a community response to growing insecurity.

The justice system in Sagamu is another subject explored in the book, with Adesanya tracing the development of the city’s traditional system of justice through the colonial period and into the post-colonial era.

The city’s rich traditional and cultural heritage also receives significant attention. The book documents the importance of festivals and cultural institutions, including Oro, Ẹluku, Agẹmọ and Bàlùfọ̀n, while also tracing the history of the annual Sagamu Day celebration and its role as a unifying platform for the people of Sagamu.

In another section, the book examines the history of the Hausa and Fulani communities in Sagamu and the emergence of Sabo as a significant component of the wider Sagamu community.

The book further highlights the role of the Remo Growth Development Foundation (RGDF) in the development of Sagamu and Remo land, with contributions attributed to the Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remo Land, HRM Ọba (Dr.) Babatunde Ajayi.

Looking to the future, Adesanya devotes attention to the city’s younger generation, particularly Generation Z, and examines how young people can be moulded into future leaders capable of contributing to the sustained development of Sagamu.

The publication also celebrates prominent Sagamites through sections dedicated to “Outstanding Achievers” and “A Tale of Firsts,” documenting individuals who have distinguished themselves in various professions and fields of endeavour.

An extensive collection of profiles of selected sons and daughters of Sagamu, categorised according to their professions, further forms part of the book’s attempt to preserve the city’s institutional and human history.

The concluding section looks ahead, presenting perspectives on the future of Sagamu as the capital of Remo and a strategic city connecting the northern and southern parts of Nigeria.

The public presentation is expected to bring together traditional rulers, community leaders, professionals, academics, residents and other stakeholders interested in the history and development of Sagamu.

The royal father of the day is the Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remo Land, HRM Ọba (Dr.) Babatunde Ajayi, CFR, while Asiwaju S.K. Onafowokan, OON, Asiwaju of Remo Land and Chairman of Coleman Technical Industries Limited, is the father and chairman of the occasion.

With its broad coverage of Sagamu’s history, people, institutions, culture and development, the book presents itself as an attempt to preserve the collective memory of the ancient city while providing a historical foundation for understanding its present and contemplating its future.