By The first onisemo of Lagos (Chief Edu) came to Lagos in 1704. He was a king in his own right as the olu of ilaro. As a result of the misunderstading between him and his people, he consulted ifa oracle, and oracle told him to leave to the another place, on his way to Lagos. He first settled at Oregun Village near ogudu town. After migrate to Agbogbo village or Agege omi near Shomolu and gbagada Village, the Domain of Chief Oloto of Lagos. Where he meet the then Chief Oloto Akinjufe and after brief spell as a friends. Chief Oloto then brought him to Chief Aromire, together they introduced him to Oba Akinsemoyin Olori Ogun, Afi gbogbo ojo sore maseka, and Oba Akinsemoyin who told him that he could not reign as an Oba in Lagos, since two Obas could not reign together in a town. He agreed to be a White cap-Chief. He was Capped, and Oba Akinsemoyin given him a piece of Land in ldunmota, through Chief Aromire of Lagos. Where he built his Palace. Edu was a babalawo (lfa Diviner). And About that time of his arrival, those people having problem about is wife for Pregnancy and miscarried.
Onisemo chieftaincy of Lagos
These people started asking for Edu’s help, Chief Edu made a concotion (Aseje / Agbo). Through this he was given a nickname as baba Alaseje -omo. After some years the nickname now changed to Olu-Semo ( someone who cooks for people to get a child ). The title was shorten to be know as ONISEMO. The Chieftaincy belongs to the Ogalade Group. Chief Edu had seven children, six of whom were males and succeede him as Chief Onisemo of Lagos
Edu 1th. Chief Onisemo
Alade 2th. Chief Onisemo
Akinsemuwa 3th. Chief Onisemo
Alakoro. 4th. Chief Onisemo
Akijoluyin. 5th. Chief Onisemo
These died without issue.
The remaining children were Bata (male), Oshokeji (male) and Olupejobi the only female among them. Bata succeeded Akijoluyi as the 6th Onisemo and Oshokeji became the 7th Onisemo. Because Olupejobi was a female, she could not become a Chief Onisemo until one of her male descendants Akiwonmi Became a Chief in 1854 after the death of Chief Onisemo Adeborusi who was the second White Cap Chief that went into exile with King Kosoko to Epe. Including Chief Oloto Balo Oriagbaya, Chief Adeborusi was the White Cap Chief who negotiated and signed the Langbasa Truce or Lagbasa Palava Which stopped hostilietes between Lagos and Epe. This Truce paved the way Kosoko’s men to return to Lagos. As a result of the war between kosoko and Akitoye, Onisemo’s Palace had been destroyed befor Chief Onisemo Adeborusi returned to Lagos from Epe. On his return he was temporarily accommadated at lga Ebute (Ojon Palace). Before he died in 1854. Akiwonmi who succeeded Adeborusi was the first Chief from Olupejobi the female child of the first Onisemo Chief Edu. Akinwonmi built a new Onisemo Palace where he lived for sometime befor he death. Curious enough, the new Onisemo Palace built during the reign in 1966 Chief Tawaliu Adisa Bello was born in july 2 1910, and become Chief Onisemo of Lagos in August 7, 1955 and performed lwuye Ceremony in 1956, and who was from Olupejobi Ruling house as Akiwonmi, and When Mosuru died in 1953, there was agitation as to who should succeed him. The Olupejobi the Ruling House which are Produced only one Chief. Akinwonmi claimed it was their turn. Tawaliu Bello was chosen. Two rival candidates, Raji Onitolo and Lasisi Fagbayi both from Oshokeji emerged. The matter went befor Oba Adeniji Adele ll in Council and it was decided in favour of Olupejobi with Tawaliu Bello as candidate.
There are only three Ruling Houses in the Onisemo Chieftaincy Family. They are Oshokeji, Bata, and Olupejobi.
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