Located in the northwestern part of Oyo State, Nigeria, is one of the most historically significant towns in Yorubaland. Known for its elevated terrain, agricultural prominence, and deep-rooted traditions, Saki remains a vital symbol of Yoruba identity, spiritual heritage, and resilience.
Geography and Location
Saki is situated approximately 184 kilometers northwest of Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.
Geographically, it lies on longitude 3.42° East and latitude 8.41° North, with an altitude of about 1,500 meters above sea level. The town is surrounded by rolling hills, including the famous Asabari Hill, which rises to over 2,000 meters.
Saki is bordered by the Ofiki River, a tributary of the Ogun River. Its savannah vegetation and rivers like Taba and Foofoo have historically provided water and supported agricultural activity. The Foofoo stream has since been dammed to serve as a modern water source for the town.
Founding and Historical Significance
Saki’s origin dates back to the late 12th or early 13th century when Ogun, the eldest son of Oduduwa, was sent to explore and administer distant lands within the Yoruba Kingdom. After Oduduwa lost his sight, Ogun temporarily ruled from Saki, issuing commands to other parts of the kingdom. For this reason, Saki once served as a central seat of Yoruba leadership.
The name “Saki” is believed to have originated from an exclamation by Oranmiyan, another son of Oduduwa, during a confrontation involving a local leader named Oke-Kesi. Oranmiyan reportedly said “N ṣakiri,” meaning “he is running about,” a phrase that eventually evolved into “Saki.”
Cultural Heritage and Traditions
Saki has strong spiritual connections, particularly with Ogun—the Yoruba god of iron and war. According to legend, Ogun lived and died in Saki, making the town a sacred place for his worshippers. Today, sacrifices and traditional rituals are still offered in his honor at Ogidigbo, a sacred site in Saki.
The town is also linked to other key Yoruba figures such as Oke-Kesi and Ekunsimi, the wife of the first Okere of Saki, whose spirit is believed to dwell in the Ogun River near Iseyin.
Leadership and Governance
The traditional ruler of Saki is known as the Okere of Saki. Following the death of Oba Kilani Olatoyese Ilufemiloye in 2013, the throne remained vacant for several years. After much consultation and legal review, Oba Khalid Olabisi Oyeniyi was officially appointed Okere of Saki on December 18, 2019.
Economic Importance and Agriculture
Saki is widely referred to as the food basket of Oyo State due to its agricultural productivity. Major crops cultivated in the area include yams, maize, cassava, beans, okra, rice, sorghum, tobacco, indigo, and cotton. The town also supports livestock farming and is home to a government livestock station.
Craftsmanship and Commerce
Saki is renowned for its aluminum pot production, a skill passed down through generations. Its thriving weekly market, the Sango Market, attracts traders and buyers from far and wide, contributing significantly to the town’s economy.
Infrastructure and Health
Saki has several health facilities, including both government and private hospitals. A major branch of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, is currently under construction in the town and is expected to improve healthcare access for residents.
Tourism and Landscape
One of the most striking natural features of Saki is its towering granite hill, an inselberg that rises over 1,600 feet. This site offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape and holds potential for eco-tourism and hiking activities.
Saki is not just a town—it is a vital chapter in the story of the Yoruba people. Its historical relevance, cultural depth, and economic strength make it a cornerstone of Yoruba civilization. From its early role in the leadership of the Yoruba kingdom to its current status as a thriving agricultural and commercial center, Saki continues to hold a unique and enduring place in Nigerian history.
Let the name Saki be remembered, not just as a location, but as a living testament to the heritage, strength, and vision of the Yoruba people.
Nollywood icon Genevieve Nnaji has fired off a sharp response after a man on X (formerly Twitter) advised Igbo men to stop marrying Igbo women and instead seek wives from other African countries.
The controversy began after a photo of a Rwandan woman said to be engaged to an Anambra man went viral.
Resharing the image, the user wrote, “Dear Igbo men, instead of marrying an Igbo woman who’ll falsely accuse you of r4ping your daughter, better look outside for a wife.
“Go to East Africa, especially Rwanda, and pick a damsel. They’re all over social media, and you can link up with them.”
Genevieve, who rarely comments on online drama, responded, “In other words, instead of checking yourself and taking accountability, go for the unsuspecting and carry on with your evil. Got it.”
Another user attempted to challenge her, claiming the original tweet was aimed at “false rape accusers” and that Genevieve was avoiding the real issue.
“His tweet was clearly against false rape accusers, but instead of holding the evil women accountable and demanding change, you chose to tweet this?”
But the actress hit back with equal clarity: “The same way a woman can’t tell an abusive man apart from a good one is the same way you shouldn’t say avoid all Igbo women. ‘Not all women’.”
Reality TV star Phyna has offered words of encouragement to fellow Big Brother Naija winner Imisi amid a family feud between the latter and her mother.
In an X post on Monday, Phyna wrote,”To Imisi, @imisiofficial and to anyone walking through the same fire… I’m praying for your strength.
“My own experience broke me, but I’m slowly rising.
“And I’m rooting for you with everything in me, don’t handle it like I did, build strong and focus on you baby girl.”
The post comes against the backdrop of a family dispute in which Imisi’s mother accused her daughter of hatred and revealed the poor condition of the home where she currently lives, despite Imisi winning N150 million after her Big Brother victory.
Imisi replied in Yoruba,”This is why Aunty Debola said you should not show your face to the world. I can’t be saying all that now, you are in the midst of people. Just overlook everything and leave social media.
“Don’t worry, I will send you money to rent a new house. I am tired of all this drama. I am still recovering from the stress of Big Brother.
“Should I be facing another stress now? Please forgive me, I am your daughter.”
Recall Imisi’s mother has publicly expressed frustration on social media, saying she does not need her daughter’s money after being sidelined following the win.
She also blamed Imisi for recounting her childhood experiences, which she claims involve untrue allegations of parental neglect and sexual assault.
In a video, she showed the old house she currently resides in, saying she is content with her situation, a revelation that sparked online controversy.
In 2023, after Phyna’s BBNaija win, her father, Felix Otabor, revealed in an interview that he was distressed by his daughter’s actions following her BBNaija win.
Otabor said Phyna had asked him to stop working as a hearse driver and requested that he sell his cars, promising to improve the family’s life.
He said he later struggled financially after selling the vehicles, losing his business momentum and community position, and has not seen his daughter since her victory.
He described feeling sidelined while she enjoyed her wealth.
Nollywood actress, Regina Daniels, has opened up about her marriage to her estranged husband, Senator Ned Nwoko.
It was reports that the embattled wife revealed why their seven-year relationship remained faithful despite his polygamous lifestyle.
In a reply to a comment on her Instagram page, Daniels said that during their years together, Nwoko never slept with other women outside their home because she held him well in the other room.
She wrote: “Yes i think he loved me but a toxic one! Because tell me why a polygamous man forgot what it meant to be in polygamy, except for the media.
“Just because it boosted his ego of being seen with multiple women which is easy by me because anyone that sees a man as an odogwu sees the wife as what? He basically had to beg that he share days at ours and other days with his other wives because they begged for his attention.
“Y’all should pls forget this yeye social media comparison because my ex man never slept outside one day in our 7 years of marriage. You know why? Because as a delta babe, I hold am well for the other room ladies use your skills that’s all men want actually!”
