THE BLUEPRINT OF 1878: A SPOTLIGHT ON PRINCE FABUNMI ISOLA

Prince Fabunmi Isola (1849–1903) Before Okemesi was known as the Land of the Brave, there was a prince who refused to accept fear as destiny. His courage turned outrage into resistance, resistance into unity, and unity into a story that generations still proudly tell. Born into the royal lineage of Okemesi, he grew from a prince into the fearless voice of a people longing for freedom. Alongside his wife, Falola, he witnessed the injustices that would change the course of Ekiti history. His courage in 1878 ignited a movement that earned Okemesi its enduring reputation as the Land of the Brave. In his later years, he ascended the throne of Imesi-Ile as its 38th king, and after his passing in 1903, his son, Ladokun Adefenwa Fabunmi II, carried on his legacy.

Ekiti Parapo War Heroes (1877–1886) This monument honours the brave men who stood against oppression and fought for the freedom and dignity of their people during the Ekiti-Parapo War. Their courage united communities across Ekiti and beyond, leaving behind a legacy of resilience, sacrifice, and self-determination. Their story remains a lasting reminder of why Okemesi proudly bears the title “Land of the Brave.” Prince Fabunmi of Okemesi alongside some war notable war lords in history including Ogedengbe Agbogungboro of Ijesaland. Faboro of Ado-Ekiti, Falowo of Emure and other notable Ekiti and IJesa war leaders were ordinary men who answered an extraordinary call. Faced with injustice, they chose courage over fear and resistance over submission. Their sacrifices helped shape the future of Ekiti and inspired a spirit of bravery that continues to define generations today. The Ekiti Parapo War (also known as the Kiriji War, as called by the Igbajo people because most of the war happened on Igbajo land) was a long and defining 19th-century conflict fought between the allied Eastern Yoruba groups, especially Ekiti, Ijesa, and others against the dominance of Ibadan forces . The alliance formed during this struggle was known as “Ekiti Parapo,” meaning “Ekiti together” or “Ekiti united”, representing the collective strength of several towns that stood together in resistance. The Ekiti Parapo War Museum, located in Okemesi-Ekiti, serves as a heritage anchor, connecting present and future generations to the sacrifices, leadership, and strategic alliances that defined that era.

Ekiti Parapo War Heroes original picture with names of each of them.

Fabunmi Memorial High School in Okemesi-Ekiti, honors the legacy of Prince Fabunmi Isola. Located in Fabunmi street, named after the notable war lord. It was established between 1979 and 1980 by the former Ondo State government under Chief Michael Adekunle Ajasin, the school was founded to expand access to education for the Okemesi community. The institution continues the namesake’s legacy by building future leaders through modern secondary education. It actively shapes the youth of Ekiti State through academic programs and civic participation. The school is highly active in inter-school competitions, winning accolades and maintaining strong representation in regional academics and local sporting events, such as the Okemesi Day inter-secondary school championships.

Kiriji: The Ekiti-Parapo War, a massive historical epic produced by Nollywood power couple Lateef and Adebimpe (Mo Bimpe) Adedimeji. The film documents the legendary 16-year Yoruba civil conflict. It wrapped up a grueling, 62-day shoot across Ekiti State in January 2026, involving over 6,000 cast and 500 crew members. Principal photography wrapped on January 29, 2026, after an intense 62-day continuous shoot, and heavily utilized towns and villages across Ekiti State for authentic visuals. The movie is directed by Kayode Kasum, a highly acclaimed filmmaker known for his visionary work on epics and modern features. As of mid-2026, an official release date has not been fully finalized. However, fans can expect the official trailer to drop soon. With its massive cast (including industry stars like Odunlade Adekola and Tobi Bakre) and heavy backing by the Ekiti State government for cultural tourism, it is highly anticipated for the big screen.

On 16th December 2025, here was Governor Abiodun’s (The Executive Governor of Ekiti State) remark after his visit to the movie location. “I visited the movie locations of the Ekiti Parapo War film currently being shot across different locations in Ado Ekiti, and I am impressed by the scale, depth, and commitment to historical accuracy on display. Our history matters. A people without a properly told history risk losing their identity, and that is why my administration remains committed to the preservation and proper documentation of Ekiti’s heritage for present and future generations. Although this project is not sponsored by the Ekiti State Government, I am glad to support initiatives like this by mobilising goodwill from friends and partners who share our belief in telling our stories by ourselves. I commend Lateef Adedimeji, Bimpe Adedimeji, and the entire production team for their professionalism, creativity, and respect for Ekiti history.Although this project is not sponsored by the Ekiti State Government, I am glad to support initiatives like this by mobilising goodwill from friends and partners who share our belief in telling our stories by ourselves. I commend Lateef Adedimeji, Bimpe Adedimeji, and the entire production team for their professionalism, creativity, and respect for Ekiti history.Art, culture, and tourism remain key pillars of our development agenda, and we will continue to encourage efforts that project Ekiti’s rich past, values, and identity positively to the world.”

You can also read

Historical Nigeria (Nigeria’s leading history’s website) Feature January, 2026: Fabunmi of Okemesi.

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