Kishi

Kishi, also written Kisi, is a large town in Oyo State in southwestern Nigeria and the headquarters of the Irepo Local Government Area. It lies in the northern part of the state, about 240 kilometres from the state capital Ibadan and about 200 and 110 kilometres from Oyo Alaafin and Ilorin respectively, close to the old town of Katunga, which collapsed in the 18th century during the Fulani jihad launched from Ilorin. Local tradition traces the town to a Baruba man named Kilisi Yerumo, whose name was shortened to Kisi, and many people from old Oyo settled there during and after the jihad. The town is led by the Iba of Kishi and a council of chiefs. Farming is the main livelihood, with yam, maize and guinea corn the chief crops, which has earned it the name food basket of Oyo State. Traditional religion, Christianity and Islam are all practised, with Muslims in the majority, and the old Oyo National Park is housed in the town.