[size=14pt]Ijebu-Ode: Beyond tales of mystical powers[/size]

Emmanuel Onyeche


Tales abound about Ijebu people and their mystical powers. Emmanuel Onyeche, who visited the ancient town, reports that there are more to the town than what you may have heard

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Ijebu-Ode: Beyond tales of mystical powers





One visit to Ijebu-Ode is all you need to put away all those scary tales about Ijebu people and their mystical powers. From the point where the bus drops you off and all through your stay, you just keep encountering warm and friendly people who are very accommodating to visitors.

Passing through the Awujale palace, you behold an architectural masterpiece in a vast piece of land in the heart of Ijebu-Ode. It is the abode of the royals and a place of pride for all Ijebu sons and daughters.

It is also the venue of the popular Ojude Oba - an annual cultural fiesta that has evolved into an entertainment and tourism festival. Celebrated for over 100 years, the festival traces its origin to the mid 19th Century when the then Awujale (Oba Fidipote) presented a ram to his friend Tunwatoba (the first Chief Imam of Ijebu-Ode) to celebrate Eid-el-Kabir. In appreciation of the king's kind gesture, Tunwatoba led a delegation of his family and friends to Awujale's palace to thank him for allowing them practise the new religion (Islam).

They also seized the opportunity to pray for the king's long life and the prosperity of the town. Incidentally, this period coincided with the time when the Ijebu Balogun Eleshin (war leaders), who were said to have won all the inter-tribal wars in the past, openly came to display their talents in horse riding.

The festival has become a rallying point for all Ijebu in the Diaspora (both Muslims and Christians) to celebrate and talk on the developmental programmes for the town. It showcases the wealth, enterprise and resilience of the Ijebu people and promotes tourism, entertainment and economic development.

There is also the historical site, which some people claim is the burial tomb of the biblical Queen of Sheba. As at last month, it was still under renovation and was inaccessible to visitors. Located in Oke Eri community, it is believed to be the Queen of Sheba's tomb mentioned in The Bible.

Before it was cordoned off recently, there were also claims of mysterious spider webs that cover the entire tomb - keeping it immaculately clean inside. The tomb is said to be internationally renowned and has been preserved as a tourist centre by the Ogun State Government.

The historical Eredo Wall stretches from Oke Eri down to Epe in Lagos State. These walls are believed to have been constructed by the slaves of the Queen of Sheba, whom the natives call Bilikisu Sungbo.

The Ijebu are regarded as highly resourceful, culturally vibrant and socially colourful among the South-West people of Nigeria. A growing attraction in the town, where one can hide like a bird in its nest and steal to town to further appreciate these unique people, is the former Gateway Hotel, now renamed Equity Resort Hotel. This is after a concession granted by Gateway Holdings of Ogun State to Equity Assurance Plc - the new management.

All the tourist attractions mentioned above are just a few minutes drive from the hotel, which sits on 14.161 hectares of land near the quiet and serene Eruwon, in a quiet and picturesque atmosphere deep within the tranquil ambience of Chris Ogunbanjo Way in Ijebu town.

Originally built 20 years ago by the late Bisi Onabanjo administration, a well respected former governor of the state, the vision had always been to position the hotel and all other such infrastructure in such a way that they would expand the frontiers of the hospitality and tourism industry in the state.

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Good observation and a slap in the face of naysayers and tribalists.

Eye opener

Yep