THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN ODO-OWA DURING THE COLONIAL PERIOD
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
This work is aimed at ensuring that socio-economic development of Odo-Owa in Oke-Ero Local Government Area of Kwara State during the colonial period is articulated and written down for historical purpose, thus ensuring that the basic information about the socio-economic activities of the people is documented. It also aims at examining the colonial rule system, the various changes and activities during the colonial period. It hopes to advance the history of Odo-Owa from essential political history to socio-economic history, the research also aims to show the major areas of concern which are the social and economic developments that took place the town during the colonial period. It must be noted the sources employed form this work have been made use of just to ensure that the authencity and originality of what will be written down about the socio-economic development of Odo-Owa during the colonial period is right.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVE
The objective of this work is to look into the socio-economic activities in the town before the colonial period, and the changes brought as a result of the colonial presence.
SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The scope of this work can be seen form the socio-economic development of Odo-Owa before the colonial rule; how the colonial rule influenced the development and its effect. There are different activities and event during the colonial rule, the people of Odo-Owa community were mostly farmers and because of this the children are taken along with them to the farmland. As a result of colonial rule people did not show interest in farming as it was before the colonial period some people now preferred white collar jobs, while some farmland and left vacant and people have build houses on it. It should be added also that as a result of the lack of transportation system, the traders most especially have to treck along distance. At times they spend two or three days before getting to neighboring village and this was because they had to trek long distance.
SIGNIFICANE OF THE STUDY
The significance of this will be paramount on the relevance of socio-economic development in Odo-Owa community. It is important to study the socio-economic development of Odo-Owa for intending researchers to know how the economic and social endeavour of the people could be influenced. This relevance can be seen in the different activities and practices of the people of Odo-Owa during the colonial period. It was believed that since agriculture is the major occupation of the people of Odo-Owa, their children were also taken to the farm with them, they were not literate. When western education was introduced they were unwilling to allow their children to go school, thinking they might be armed or killed.
The people that had three or more children may allow only one they thought was not so useful to be educated. But late they discovered tat educated children were literates and knowledgeable compared to those going to far. They later allowed their children to be educated. Another importance can be seen in the religious beliefs of the people of Odo-Owa which is gradually waning away, which is part of the significance of our insight into the historical relevance of socio-economic development Odo-Owa. Also, the people of Odo-Owa who were majorly worshippers of Imole which is believed to be a spirit living inside a Rock called Imole Boja Rock shelter the rock is no more duly worshipped as a result of modernity.
It must be added also that the people of Odo-Owa are majorly farmers but also traded with other communities around them. As a result of bad roads, and lack of transportation system. They had to travel long distance trekking. The construction of roads and availability of transportation system during the colonial period which made it easier is another issue that will be addressed5.
RESEARCH METHOD
The socio-economic development of Odo-Owa during the colonial period is a very challenging but also interesting work of history with information, extensive reading and research method obtained through oral tradition. Extensive interviews with various personalities in Odo-Owa were also done and this was an uphill task as a result of complexities and perplexities experienced and systematic steps would be taken in the course of sourcing, gathering and collecting data for this essay.
The challenges encountered varied from the fixing of an appropriate time for interviews and consultations with well informed people such as Pa. Isrel Oladele, His Royal Highness the Olota of Odo-Owa and few other people in the community whose parents told them about the history of the town during the colonial period useful assistance was fond at the National Achieves Kaduna, University of Ilorin Library and Kwara state Library.