Ilu Ilofa – Headquarters of Oke Ero LGA Of Kwara State

Iloffa is an ancient Yoruba town and the administrative headquarters of Oke Ero Local Government Area (LGA) in Kwara State, Nigeria.
Located in the southern region of the state, it sits roughly 110 kilometers south of the state capital, Ilorin.

🏛️ Governance and Traditional Leadership
The traditional ruler of the town holds the title of the Alofa of Iloffa, His Royal Majesty, Oba Samuel Niyi Dada, the Okinbaloye Aponbiepo II who is a designated first-class Oba in Kwara State.
🔸Council Status: The Alofa of Iloffa currently serves as the chairman of the traditional council for the entire Oke Ero Local Government Area.
🔸Local Administration: It houses the Oke Ero Local Government Area Secretariat and the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS) local office.
🔸Founding Father: According to historical accounts, the community was founded by a skilled hunter named Are, who migrated from the ancient city of Ile-Ife.
🔸Meaning of Name: Are specialized in crafting and applying traditional medicine to arrows on a massive rock named Egunpe. His popularity grew to the point where visitors would say “Mo nlo ilu ti won nlo ofa” (“I am going to the town where arrows are sharpened”), which gradually evolved into the name Ilu-offa and later Iloffa)

🌾 Agriculture: The community operates a largely agrarian economy, growing staple and cash crops like cocoa, yams, and palm oil.
🔸Education: Higher learning has grown in the community with the establishment of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) Iloffa Community Study Centre.

A Visit To Oke Onigbin Town – Located In Isin LGA Of Kwara State

🗺️ Tourism and Culture
The town and its immediate surrounding district of Iloffa/Odo-Owa feature several cultural and historical attractions like:
🔸Imole-Boja Rock Shelter: A massive natural rock formation historically used for shelter.
🔸Prayer Mountain: The historical prayer mountain and relics of Apostle Joseph Ayodele Babalola, the famous pioneer of Nigerian Pentecostalism, are situated in the immediate district.
🔸Festivals: The community celebrates several traditional cultural events, including the New Yam Festival (held around June and early July), the Are Festival, and Egungun masquerade celebrations.