MY VISIT TO OLUMO ROCK ABEOKUTA: A REMARKABLE EXPERIENCE, SALUTE TO OUR ANCIENT WARRIORS. | Shakiru Seidu.

Shakiru Seidu on the top of Olumo Rock Abeokuta. Beside him is the 400years old Iroko Oluwere tree.

Olumo Rock, a popular tourist attraction in Ogun State, Nigeria. Though, I had never been there, I think once in primary school, there was a school trip to the rock but I did not go, my parents were pretty paranoid about such road trips.

Abeokuta, translated literally means “Under the Rock!”. Generally, the people of Abeokuta are referred to as ‘Egbas’. I was there with my Indian and Nigerian friends. 

Shakiru Seidu with some of his Indian friends.

We had to pay N1,000 each as admission fee, and there was a tour guide, who was happy to show us the way. There was also a photographer who offered to take our photos, but since MegaXpression Media Brand had a camera, we handed that over to him and he had a good time snapping us while we toured. Obviously we knew we had to tip both of them at the end of the tour.

According to the tour guide, Olumo Rock is an irregular formation of igneous rock, which at its highest point is 137 metres above sea level. The rock has three main caves, and it is said that during a war between 1830-1833, some settlers lived under the rock. Olumo means “all the troubles and sufferings are over”.

The first cave, Egba War Time HideOut believed to be a dwelling place for the early settlers. It was partitioned into five rooms, and I entered one of the rooms. The other four have fallen apart.

I was equally shown the six dug holes for grinding peppers and cooking. There’s also a few statues of the ancient warriors of the town plus some cowries (money spent in the past)

Water from the rock was believed to have healing powers. But they said it dried up about 50 years ago. To the right is the grave where the man who lived beside the rock (before it was taken over by the government) is buried. He died at 125 years.

Climbing of Olumo Rock....

Mind your head! It’s interesting to note that since it became a tourist attraction in 1976, there has been no casualty and no one has ever fallen from climbing the rock. I know it’s a short time, but still, good to know! So fear not and climb", the tour guide tells us why embarking on the climbing.

"Take a little break, this isn’t the top yet! This bridge wasn’t always there, so visitors actually had to jump between the rocks and it’s quite a distance," he added.

Yep! I made it to the very top. When I look closely, I saw the twin pillars of the first mosque in Abeokuta. From the top, I saw an Iroko Tree, which they said is over 400 years old and never sheds its leaves, come rain or shine!

Also, I saw a shrine in the rock where the 5 kings of Abeokuta, led by the Alake (paramount ruler of the land) go to worship the gods at the rock every year. Apparently, they believe that the gods protected the ancient settlers during the war. In the past they used strangers as sacrifice, but now they use big black cows, pigeons and some other animals. I was allowed to look into the shrine and pray, but not allowed to go inside.

At the end of the climb, I was totally knackered and dripping with sweat. But I made a quick stop to the Arts gallery which has some Arts  and cultural pieces for sale. Our photographer of the day was through with us and I was too tired to take any photos. But I got some bracelets, and according to the sales lady, it’s the best around the world.

SHAKIRU SEIDU

CEO, MegaXpression Media Brand.

08099799530.