Ogun State – "Gateway State"

CometonigeriaMarch 20, 2011

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Located in south-west geopolitical zone of Nigeria, Ogun State was created in 1976 with Abeokuta as the state capital, comprises the old Abeokuta and Ijebu provinces. The state is divided into twenty local government areas which include Abeokuta-North, Abeokuta-South, Ado-Odo/Ota, Egbado-North, Egbado-South, Ewekoro, Ifo, Ijebu-East, Ijebu-North, Ijebu-Northeast, Ijebu-Ode, Ikenne, Imeko-Afon, Ipokia, Obafemi-Owode, Ogun Waterside, Odeda, Odogbolu, Remo-North, Sagamu.

History

Ogun State was carved out of the old Western State by the military administration of General Murtala Muhammed and General Olusegun Obasanjo in 1976. Ogun State is otherwise known as the Gateway State. This is in recognition of its pioneering role in education, medicine, law and divinity, on the one hand, and its strategic position as the link by road, rail, air and sea to the rest of the country.

Apart from Abeokuta, the capital, which is an important market centre-and a terminus of the roads and railways coming from Lagos and other parts of the country, there are also major towns and communities like Sagamu, Ijebu-Ode, Ilaro and others that can serve as good markets for products of the mining industry in Ogun State.

People & Culture

Yoruba is the main ethnic group in Ogun State, which comprises several dialects such as the Egbas in Abeokuta-North, Abeokuta-South, Ifo, Ewekoro, Obafemi-Owode, Odeda and Ado-Odo/Ota LGA; the Egbados in Egbado-North, Egbado-South, Imeko-Afon and Ipokia L.G.As; the Ijebus in Ijebu-East, Ijebu-North, Ijebu-Northeast, Ijebu-Ode, Odogbolu and Ogun watersides LGA; the Remos in Sagamu, Remo-North and Ikenne LGAs.

Other dialectical groups in the state include Oyo (Owu), Awori, Ikale and Ilaje. Some aspects of the culture of the people in the state include traditional arts, carving, sculpture and smithery amongst others.

Situated between Latitude 6.2°N and 7.8°N and Longitude 3.0°E and 5.0°E, the state covers a total land mass of 16,409.26 sqkm. Ogun State shares an international boundary with the Republic of Benin to the West and interstate boundaries with Oyo State to the north, Lagos and the Atlantic Ocean to the south and Ondo State to the east.

Ogun State map

Weather/Climate

The climate of Ogun State follows a tropical pattern with the raining season starting about March and ending in November, followed by dry season. The mean annual rainfall varies from 128cm in the southern parts of the State to 105cm in the northern areas.

The average monthly temperature ranges from 23°C in July to 32°C in February. The northern part of the state is mainly of derived Savannah vegetation, while the Central part falls in the rain forest belt. The southern part of the State has mangrove swamp.

Cities & Towns

Other important cities and towns include Abeokuta, Ijebu-Ode, Sagamu, Ikenne Remo, Ilaro, Ijebu-Igbo, Aiyetoro etc.

St. Peters Cathedral
St. Peters Cathedral is the first ever church to be built in Nigeria by the missionaries when they arrived at Abeokuta. The Cathedral being in its original form, serves as a place of worship as well as a religion monument. Your visit to Abeokuta will not be complete without a visit to this old British architecture.

Ojude Oba Festival
In Ijebu-Ode, this is an annual festival usually held two days after the Ileya festival (muslim festival of Eid-El-Kabir) while the Ojude Oba festival of Ijebu-Isiwo is usually held three days after the Eid. It is a festival whose main purpose is for the people of Ijebu to come together as one to honour the traditional ruler and it is regarded as one of the biggest in West Africa.

Sungbo's Eredo Sungbo’s Eredo
A 100-mile-long wall and moat whose construction is believed to have began a millennium ago. It has been termed as the Africa’s largest single ancient monument by a British archaeologist who discovered it. The monuments is situated just a few miles away from Olumo Rock.
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Abeokuta Central Mosque

Abeokuta Central Mosque
Located just a stone throw from Olumo Rock, the central mosque, which is where the city’s Muslims population worship, is one of the earliest mosques to be built in Ogun State and this beautiful mosque can be clearly spotted from atop the Olumo Rock.

Ebute Oni Tourist Beach Resort

Ebute Oni Tourist Beach Resort
Ebute Oni is the waterfront to the small village of Oni, Ijebu Waterside, towards the southern sector of Ogun State on the Lekki lagoon. Ebute Oni is on a low-lying area below 30m above sea level which was founded by fishermen. The resort presently has four chalets to house prospective visitors.

Alake Palace

Alake Palace
This is an historical palace that showcases the preserved cultural heritage of Abeokuta city and Yoruba people in general. It’s particularly famous for its heavy concentration of antiquities and relics. Also, there are other places of interest within and outside the city.

Olowu Palace

The Olowu Palace
The old Owu is an historic town in old Oyo Kingdom. Owu king was a powerful and fearful king who collected tribute from the Bariba, the Borgu and had ruled over old Oyo until the reign of Sango. Owu people later migrated from the old Owu and settled within Abeokuta metropolis and its royal palace (Olowu Palace) houses lots of historical monuments.

Lisabi Sacred Forest

Lisabi Sacred Forest
This is a sacred forest bounded in the west by Ogun River and in the south by Tegbelu stream. It is a thick rainforest with high population of various kind of birds and endangered animals.

Itoku Market

Itoku Market
Itoku Market is where local artisans and traders enjoy haggling over price just as much as the customers like to find a bargain. This famous market is at the centre of the indigenous Abeokuta industry of tie-and-dye, which is locally known as Adire. Adire crafters are usually women – both old and young!

Omo Forest Reserve

Omo Forest Reserve
In its undisturbed form, the reserve lies within a tropical lowland rainforest and it has the most complex and productive vegetation type in the country. It is estimated that the forest supports about 8,000 species of plants.
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Olumo Rock

Olumo Rock, Abeokuta
This is the most spectacular and popular attraction in Ogun State. The rock used to provide sanctuary for the people as well as a vantage point to monitor the enemy’s advance leading to eventual triumph in the eighteen century inter-tribal wars.
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Hill Top Golf Resort

Hill Top Golf Resort
The ‘Hill Top’ is a tourist resort consisting of a straight 18 hole golf course. The resort is a good spot for golfers to enjoy wooded countryside scenic fairways with surrounding rolling hills which give a masterpiece of harmony between man and nature. Within the environment is a lake for boat cruising and fishing.

Other attractions

Saam Health Farm and Holiday Resort
Abeokuta Museum, Abeokuta
Madam Tinubu Shrine
Osuuru Spring Water, Imeko
Egungun Festivals
Centenary Hall, Ake Abeokuta

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Adire Market, Itoku, Abeokuta:

This is a popular market in Abeokuta where batik known as adire is made and sold. Various colours, designs are found in the market. At the same time one would be opportune to see how batik locally called adire is made and beaten with mallets to make it shine.

Gateway Hotels Ltd

Situated along Lagos-Abeokuta Road in Sango Otta, the hotel offers great hospitality in a conducive environment with room amenities such as air-conditioning, cable TV, writing desk, bedside lamps etc. Address: Lagos-Abeokuta Road, Sango Otta. Tel: +234 39 4303340 – 3, 039 431341 – 2 Fax: +234 39 432198

Remo Majestic Hotel, Sagamu

The Remo Majestic hotel offers pleasant comforts of home with the service and convenience of an exclusive hotel. Address: Along Afolabi Kehide Avenue off Sagamu / Benin Express Way, Sagamu.Tel: +234-1-7642822, 08061633510

Dusmar Presidential Hotel
The hotel provides a peaceful and secured homely environment for guests world. It offers well-equipped ensuite rooms, tastefully decorated rooms, events/conference hall, lounge, pool bars and restaurants. Address: 1 IBB Boulevard, Kuto, Abeokuta. Tel: +234 (0)83 304617, 0803 2778378

Express International Hotel

The hotel offers peace and quite, comfort and quality services. The hotel features restaurants, swimming pool, pool bar and other excellent leisure facilities. All rooms have individual air conditioning system, cable TV, refrigerator etc. Address: Demola Awosanya Street, Shagamu. Tel: +234 35 640373

The Conference Hotel, Ijebu-Ode

Grand Inn & Suites offers a wide range of services for both leisure and business travellers at affordable prices. Address: GRA, Ijebu Ode. Tel: +234 (37)-8778951, +2348076983641. Read more…

Homely Hotels

Homely Hotel is a new generation hotel accommodation in this historic town of Ijebu-Ode and it offers amazing services, great accommodation for lodging, restaurant and recreational and sports facilities. Address: 5, Amure Oguniyi street, Imowo, Ijebu Ode. Tel: +234 (0) 808 464 5327, 0807 967 0048