Understand
[edit]Kisi (also spelt Kishi) is a town in the northern part of Oyo state and it is the headquarters of Irepo Local Government Area. Kisi is about 250 km from Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo state, and about 150 km from Oyo Alafin. The combination of streams, rivers, vegetation (rain forest, savannah green land) in Kishi make the town a good site for farming, hunting and settlements.
History
[edit]Kishi town got its name from shortening Kilishi; the first name of the founder, Prince Kilishi Yeruma. He came from the Benin Republic. This town was founded to unite the settlements gotten from the Nikki kingdom of that Republic.
Kilishi was one of the grandsons of Kisra (Nikki's great priest who is termed the spiritual leader of the Borgu tribe). Kisra migrated from the Arabian peninsula via the Borno Kingdom. The prince was the first son of Sabi, one of the three warlord sons of Kisra, also the Prime king of Nikki. The remaining two warlord sons founded Illo (located in present day Sokoto state), and Bussa (Borgu part in Niger State).
The marriage of Kilishi Yeruma to Adasobo (a regent from the Oyo empire) gave the people of Kishi a dual lineage. Adasobo's role throughout Kishi and its environs made the sons and daughters from Kishi and other towns around to be given Yoruba names, also her role played a part in making the people of Kishi embrace and speak the Yoruba language.
Get in
[edit]Kisi is located in the northern part of Oyo state. There are two ways to get into Kisi town: by air and by bus. You can go by air by taking a direct flight from the Lagos Airport to Ilorin Airport which takes about 45 minutes. You will need to use a connecting vehicle, usually a shared taxi. to get to Kisi town.
In addition, bus companies like God Is Good Motors (GIGM), ABC Transport, Ifesinachi and The Young Shall Grow offer daily services from almost all major cities around the country to Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo state, after which a taxi can be boarded to Kisi town which is about 2-hr journey by road from Ibadan. While buses usually are quite comfortable, the journey times are very long.
Get around
[edit]
See
[edit]Do
[edit]Buy
[edit]- 1 Olorunsogo market, Along 14 House Road, Kishi. 8AM to 10PM. A local market place where buying and selling take place everyday. #100.
- 2 Market square, Kisi, Oyo State. 8AM till 10PM. An open air market place where buying and selling of foot stuffs take place everyday. #20.
- 3 KRAAL, Off Kaiama Road, 212101, Kishi. 8AM - 10PM. An open air market where livestock (cows, rams and goats) are sold. ₦10,000.
- 4 Araromi Market, Igbope. 8AM - 10PM. A local market place where buying and selling take place everyday. ₦20.
Eat
[edit]- 1 Aluku Bakery, 133 oke-laha, 212101, Kishi. 9AM - 8PM. where you can get bread, snacks and other confectioneries. ₦100.
- 2 Food Canteen, Amukoko House, Igbeti Road, near checking point, Kishi. 9AM - 8PM. where you can get different types of dine-in and takeaway African dishes. ₦100.
- 3 Muji Rice, Isale Ajangba Kishi Irepo L Govt. 9AM - 8PM. Dine in and takeaway. ₦100.
Drink
[edit]- 1 Queen's Bar, along ore-ofe baptist church, Kishi. 8AM - 10PM. Dine-in. ₦500.
Sleep
[edit]- 1 Basuak Hotels, Oke-Ajangba, 212101, Kishi. Nice hotel to pass the night. ₦10,000.
- 2 Corpers Lodge for Fountain of Love High School, Kishi. A Lodge for Fountain of Love High School corpers. ₦1000.
Connect
[edit]The networks in certain parts of Kishi town can be very erratic at times. On certain occasions you will find it difficult to make a phone call or you will not be able to recharge your phone for most of the day making business very difficult at times. But it's occasional and that is the reason if you want to stay for a long term, make sure that you have different network provider SIM on your phone.
Kishi town boasts of both GSM & CDMA Networks. Most of the International GSM Networks are served here on Roaming Partner Basis. Local GSM (SIM) connection can be purchased in select service at very cheap rate.
Stay safe
[edit]Kishi town is located in Oyo state which is known to be a safe state, but one can never be too careful Seyi Makinde, the state governor since 2019, promised to ensure adequate security of lives and property in Oyo State.
In addition, don't be scared when you are suddenly approached by someone begging, Kishi has its fair share of street beggars (both the old and young). If someone approaches Nigerians or tourists for money, you can decide if you want to slip them a little change or not give anything at all, after all, they are not entitled to your money. What most individuals do is ignore the begging or continue to walk at a faster pace.
There are police officers who are corrupt and inefficient so you should stick to places and people you know and avoid going anywhere without a trusted guide if it is the first visit.