If you look around you, there is just that one monument, that one place in your Country that reminds you of something.
- Of a war conquered
- A milestone achieved
- a new friendship made
There are many of such monuments in every Country of the world.
Today, I will like you to accompany me, if your mouth is not full and your hands are not too busy, to Olumo Rock.
OLUMO ROCK
Olumo Rock is that one Landmark, that one monument, that; more than distinguishing the Egba people of the ancient city of Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria; tells of their history and how a natural cave protected a whole people, along with their history from Annihilation.
Sounds fascinating, right? or maybe intriguing or maybe you totally doubt it and consider it to be some sort of folklore.
Well, whatever it is you consider it to be. Olumo Rock was a war time hideout of the Egba People of South-Western Nigeria and it is venerated till this day.
A VISIT TO OLUMO ROCK
One morning, I decided I was going to explore this tourist attraction I had read about since Primary School,tthrough High School and through College. 
It’s about 150 kilometres away from where I stay, so, I had to set off very early in the morning.
TRIP TO ABEOKUTA
I went by bus from Lagos to Abeokuta, upon getting to Abeokuta, I had to take another taxi to Ikija from where we (I took my younger sister on the trip) alighted at the Olumo rock!
Oho! what a magnificent site!
It was like a big stone sitting on a smaller one without the smaller one giving way or crumbling.
We had a tour guide.
SIGHTS
- The ‘compartments’ in the cave where the people lived
- The Shrine where the ‘deity’ believed to be responsible for protecting the people of Abeokuta is venerated. The Guide told us that the rituals are really carried out in a very big festival.If you have very good eyes, zoom and tell me what you see on that door
- We passed through what is called a ‘narrow corridor’, only one person can pass at a time; the last barrier, it’s a very slippery walkway that leads to the top of the Rock.
- Slowly, we made our way up to the top of the rock
- Once at the top of the rock!!! Oho, the view is breath-taking, sprawled beneath us was the ancient city of Abeokuta with its significant brown rusted roofs.
Olumo rock is a Historic place, till date it holds a great significance to the Egba people of South-Western Nigeria.
Do you have such historic places in your community? Are you willing to share?
One of the State Governors, added some Modern facilities to what has now become a tourist attraction like;
- Lift; thereby making it accessible for all
- Cultural centre showing the Adire which is the fabric design the Egba people are ‘known for’ worldwide, famous people from the state like literary Giant and Nobel Laureate; Prof. Wole Soyinka
- Modern conveniences
- Eatery
If ever you come to Nigeria and step out of Lagos for a while, Yes! I said that; because you should not visit Nigeria without visiting Lagos! Please create some time to visit the Olumo rock.
CAMERA ROLL
