Abeokuta is the capital city of Ogun State, Southwest Nigeria. The Egba people are the major tribe in Abeokuta, but the city is also home to diverse groups from across the country.
Abeokuta is an agricultural trade centre, and an exporting point for cocoa, palm produce, fruits, and kola nuts.
Here are ten interesting things we know about Abeokuta.
Abeokuta was founded in 1830, with Sodeke as leader. The initial name of the city was ‘Oko Adagba’ meaning ‘Adagba’s farmstead’. Adagba was an Itoko farmer at the time. Sodeke, who led the Egba people to the land, met him there.
Abeokuta means ‘under the rock’, signifying the protection which the Olumo Rock offered the Egbas during attacks from intruders.
Since the discovery of Olumo Rock, no one has fallen from it. Not even once.
Abeokuta is presently a trade center for agricultural products like rice, yams, cassava, palm oil and maize. It is also an export location for palm products, cocoa, cashew, and kolanut.
The first bridge in Nigeria (Sokori Bridge) was built in 1903 by Mr. John Adenekan in Abeokuta. The first church in Nigeria, St. Peter’s Anglican Church, is in Abeokuta.
The first Newspaper in Nigeria (lwe Irohin) is presently in Abeokuta. It was founded in Egbaland in 1859.
The first indigenous Chief Justice of Nigeria (Justice Adetokunbo Ademola) was from Abeokuta. He was the son of the longest-reigning monarch (Alake) in Egbaland.
The most enlightened clan among the Yoruba tribe is the Egbas. The chiefs interacted with the Queen of England as far back as 1868 which continued till a century later.
Abeokuta has produced outstanding individuals in various fields including Justice Adetokunbo Ademola, the first indigenous Chief Justice of Nigeria, Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, Femi Ransome-Kuti, Ebenezer Obey, Shina Peters, Reuben Abati and many others.
We hope you find this interesting? Tell us other things you know about Abeokuta.
