THE IMPACT OF OGBOMOSO EMIGTRANTS ON SOCIO-POLITICAL STRUCTURE OF OGBOMOSO COMMUNITY 1969-2010

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION                   

1. 1. BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

 According to oxford Advance Learners, Dictionary, Migration is the movement of large numbers of people from one place to another1. Which characterized human existence from the time immemorial for food; shelter and security? However, There are two main perspectives of the theories of migration economic and non economic determinants of migration. Firstly, migration is usually from low income areas with few job opportunities with  the objectives of improving the status and economic wellbeing of the migrants. Secondly, the non-economic factors affect the decision to migrate such as means of co-villagers at destination, ethnic compatibility and residual environmental factors at both origin and destination2.

    This study therefore, attempt to study the different migration patterns  between 1969 when the migration became well noticed in Ogbomoso and year 2010 when their impact became highly  appreciated.

1.2 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

        Firstly, the purpose of this essay is to examine the factors that led to the movement of some indigenes of Ogbomoso to other places in Nigeria and beyond and why some have decided to be permanently  residence at their new places.

    Secondly, to examined their socio-political and Economic set up through their organization and to examine how they impacted   on socio-political, and economic structure of Ogbomoso community between 1969 and 2010.

1. 1. SCOPE OF THE STUDY

       This research work examined the impact of Ogbomoso emigrants on socio-political structure of Ogbomoso community during 1969 when migration became rampant in the midst of people of Ogbomoso till 2010.

    Also, greater emphasis will be laid on the factors responsible for the migration of Ogbomoso indigenes to other parts of Nigeria.

    The impact of the various migration in Ogbomoso community is yet to be written, and this is what this essay is set to accomplish.

1. 4  SIGNIFICANCE

This essay will enlighten people on the development that Ogbomoso emigrants brought to Ogbomoso community and this may prompt other researchers to carry out research on similar topic

However, this research work  will also xray their negative effect on the town because migration depopulated Ogbomoso which had adversely affected quick development of the town (Ogbomoso).

1.5  RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND LIMITATION

     To pursue the objective of this study, I made an extensive use of oral source, this became imperative because there has been little documented on historical data about Ogbomoso emigrants.

      Thus the use of interview as a means of collecting data on this study is indispensable, to supplement the information I gathered from the library , I proceeded to the filed where I conducted extensive interview  with prominent individuals, Chiefs, local historians and others who by virtue of their age and collections have relevant information about Ogbomoso emigrants such as Johon Brown, Alata and Evergreen etc. who transformed socio-political structure of the town (Ogbomoso)

          Other sources includes, Journal, Magazine, paper presented at Soun Palace and lecture of Ogbomoso Associations such as Ogbomoso Dun, Abode Dun, Abodire, Irewolede, llelabo Isinmi, Ogbomoso Parapo etc.

1.6 LITERATURE REVIEW

It is important to understand the fact that various works have been produced on internal migration in Nigeria. One of such works is Makinwa which captures the major finding of scholars on internal migration in Nigeria. She explained that migrations are of two type: The economic and the non-economic. She also explained further that migration could also be taken for social, religion,or political reasons. However, the author fails to discuss about Ogbomoso emigrants which this work will focus on.

          Further more, Reuben shed light on the meaning of migration as a permanent or semi permanent change of resident which he considered to be ration. He also mention factors responsible for migration such as war, drought and natural disaster3.

          Also, Oyewumi, N.D in his book and paper presented by King Oladunni Jimoh Oyewumi remained a very valuable and reliable source

of  Ogbomoso history4. These books shed light on social, political aspect of Ogbomoso people, and also traced their origin as well as the economic life of the earliest people of Ogbomoso town5.

          Also, daily Times (1969) “Ghanaians fought over property of Alies”

This author shed light on how Ghanaians besieged and fought each other over the looted property of aliens particularly Ogbomoso emigrants in Ghana as a result of quit order promulgated in 1969 stipulated that aliens who held no valid resident permit should quit the country within twelve days6. However, this makes Ogbomoso depotees who have been migrate to other parts of Nigeria and beyond to impacted positively on their home town through regular visit and sending money home for building of manufacturing companies6.