Ogbomosho
Ogbomosho (also Ogbomoṣo) is a town in Oyo State, South West Nigeria, with a population of approximately 245,000 according to the 2006 census.
Ogbomosho may be visited for its historical relics including the long-living tortoise, commonly referred to as "Alagba," which was believed to have been existing for centuries from about the year 1675. Though the tortoise is reportedly late in October 2019, it was usually tagged as the oldest tortoise in Africa and plans have been made to preserve its body for more years to come.
Understand
According to an early missionary, Ogbomosho was a walled town as of 1891, and the gates were closely watched and secured day and night. It was an ancient town that developed as and remained a minor outpost of the old Oyo Empire until the Muslim Fulani conquest of Oyo in the early 19th century. By surviving the Fulani onslaught due to its walled boundary, the town attracted many refugees from other Oyo settlements and became one of the largest Yoruba settlements.
The town is believed to be founded in the mid-17th century and since then, it has remained a minor security post of the Yoruba Oyo empire till the beginning of the Muslim Fulani vanquish of Oyo in the early 19th century. By surviving the Fulani onslaught, The guarded town pulled many Oyo refugees and thus became one of the largest Yoruba settlements because they outlived the Fulani attack.
The traditional rulers in Ogbomosho retained control over the refugees in the area even though the new population were never given any political right or privilege. Subsequently, as a result of Ibadan’s victory in 1840 over the Fulani at Oshogbo, a neighbouring community, the area changed its commitment from Oyo to Ibadan.
The main street of the town is the Oyo-Ilorin road. Ogbomosho is inhabited mainly by Yoruba farmers, artisans and traders and it is now one of the country's largest urban midpoints.
Some of the crops that are grown in the area for export to the cocoa-producing areas of Yorubaland to the south include: yams, cassava, maize, and sorghum. Teak and tobacco is also cultivated for cigarette factory at Ibadan about 93 kilometres (58 miles) south-southeast of Oyo state. The area also cultivates locally grown cotton which is used for weaving Aso oke, a notable traditional Yoruba cloth.
Ogbomosho lies on the plainland of Yorubaland precisely in Oyo state. It situated in an area of savanna and farmland at the junction roads from Oyo, Ilorin, Oshogbo, and Ikoyi. The area has an elevation of 1,200 feet (366 m).
As at the year 2005, the area has an estimated population of 941,000 and has continued to grow ever since then.
Alagba origin
According to myth, Alagba was born in 1675 in the ancient city of Oyo, known as Ogbomosho. It is said that Ogbomosho's third son, Oba Kumoe, who ruled from 1770 to 1797, was taken out of the forest. Given his age, he is called Alagba, which means "elder" in Yoruba. In Ogbomosho, where legendary turtles roam the grounds of the king's palace, calling Alagba a mere turtle is almost sacrificed. Turtles have welcomed many monarchs at Ogbomosho in the past.
People
Ogbomosho is mainly inhabited by Yoruba-speaking people, the majority of whom are farmers, traders and artisans. It is a multicultural and multi-religious town comprising of devotees of Christianity, Islam and the traditional religion.
Neighbourhoods
The Omosin area is where you can find the popular Central Mosque with its aesthetically pleasing architectural features.
1 Iluju is a sleepy rural town near Ogbomoso that hosts the Egungun Festival of the Yoruba people in November.
Climate
Ogbomosho is characterized by a warm, oppressive, and overcast wet season and a hot, muggy, and partly cloudy dry season. Throughout the year, the temperature typically varies from 64 °F (18 °C) to 92 °F (33 °C) and is rarely below 58°F or above 97°F.
The hot season usually lasts from about January to March, with an average daily temperature above 90°F. The hottest period of the year is usually February with an average temperature range of between 92°F and 70°F. The cool season lasts through June to December, with the coldest period being December.
Get in
Ogbomosho is a city in Oyo State, South-Western, Nigeria. It is bordered to the north by Ilorin (Kwara State) and to the South by Oyo town (Oyo State). Several bus companies like Agofure, God Is Good Motors, ABC Transport, Ifesinachi and The Young Shall Grow offer daily services from almost all major cities around the country as well as international destinations in West Africa. While buses usually are quite comfortable, journey times are very long.
Get around
If touring around Ogbomosho, be sure to be accompanied by a tourist guide who is familiar with the routes. In most areas in Ogbomosho, there are street signs on every single street corner making it easy to locate places and landmarks. If you are going out at night, be sure to go in groups, and stick to known routes. The major means of transportation within Ogbomosho are taxi and motorcycle.
If you are not on a tight budget, you should hire a taxi which usually comes with a driver, usually available from most of the major hotels. The price varies from driver to driver, but it should be around ₦200-400 per hour, you will be expected to haggle (negotiate). Talk to the drivers and find one you think will be easy to communicate with, as they will be able to tell you things about the places as you ride by.
Motorcycle riders offer more of a drop-off service, and it is not the best option for someone touring the town with the expectation for the rider to talk about various location history. The service charge is around ₦100-150 per trip (drop-off) depending on the location you are going to.
See
There are some interesting places to visit in Ogbomosho. Notable among them include:
- Visit the Baptist Seminary. This institution was started by an American missionary, Charles Edwin Smith. He wanted to help train preachers and thus created a class for them. In 1948, the Seminary was officially affiliated to the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, United States of America.
- See the Central Mosque. The central mosque Ogbomosho is a famous landmark in Ogbomosho town of Oyo State. The Central Mosque towers above the traditionally walled compounds of private houses and the parts of the old wall that remains. The architectural beauty of the old central mosque is amazing. The indigenes of this region take religion as seriously as their lives. If you’re a Muslim visiting Ogbomosho you can go to the community prayer ground to experience this deep level of devotion from these people, On the other hand, people from other religions can also visit the Central Mosque and admire the beautiful architectural aesthetics which is actually striking.
- A notable landmark in Ogbomosho is the Great Square Tower of the Central Mosque. This tower rises above the traditional walled compounds of both private houses and the remaining parts of the old wall although the town has other mosques and numerous churches. This place can be a fun site for visitors to behold.
- The town has a rubber and shoe factory.
- There is a Recreation Club sited along Ogbomosho Road, Sabo Ogbomosho.
- A Nigeria Training Centre for the Blind in also situated at Ogbomosho
- Ogbomosho is notable for the skill of carving woods, for its early wood artifacts and for its unique koso drums even though the production of the craft has dwindled.
- 1 Ogbomosho Palace. An ancient historical monument full of artefacts and history of house the traditional ruler of Ogbomoso. History records the ruler of Ogbomosho as a legendary warrior. The palace is a picture of serene beauty of nature. There is an ancient tortoise who lives there.
- 2 Lautech Botanical Ground, Oyo. It has a nursery, research plot , playground and an administrative block. It's great for the family .
Do
There are a couple of festivals and amazing places that may catch the fancy of visistors and tourists in Ogbomosho. Prominent among them are:
- 1 Egungun Festival, Iluju. November to April. The celebration is a two-week event held in public spaces. Egungun Festival is a hybrid and eclectic kind of ritual performance dedicated to ancestor worship by the Yoruba people, dating back to the 14th century. The ritual performance involves all elements of society and is based on the concept that the dead are still among us. The Chief's invocation of the spirits signals the start of the event. Flamboyantly girded masquerade dance and gyrate in open spaces in this annual celebration so as to give the same effect of having a spirit being amongst the people. During the proceedings of the festival, the Egungun Masquerade is code.
- Take a tour of Ladoke Akintola University. This university, popularly called LAUTECH, was named after the former premier of old Western Nigeria, Samuel Ladoke Akintola. It was formed on April 23, 1990, and was named the best state university in 2003 and 2004. LAUTECH is a degree-awarding institution with a focus on engineering, technology, science, medicine. The university enrolls 25,000 students and employs more than 3,000 people. Visitors are allowed to take a tour around the school, albeit the security personnel would have to be briefed about your purpose of being within the school premises.
- 2 Takie Park, Ilorin/Oyo Road (+234 706 060 6724). 8AM-8PM. A coordinated and managed park in Ogbomosho central.
Buy
The town serves as a layover and market point for cattle probably because it has a government livestock station. Ogbomosho local trade is basically on substantive crops such as palm oil, fruits, kola nuts, beans, as well as cotton.
There are a good number of markets and supermarkets in the nooks and crannies of Ogbomosho that meet the daily needs of both visitors and inhabitants of the area. Prominent among them include:
- 1 Ace Supermarket, Oyo-Ilorin Road & Isale-General, ☏ +234 703 202 5947. 8AM - 9PM. They provide in-store and relivery services.
- 2 Olojo Mini Market Ogbomoso, Ogbomosho. 8AM - 8PM.
- 3 Former Wazobia Market, A1.
- 4 Atenda Market, Sabo Ogbomosho, ☏ +234 816 695 4546. 6AM - 2:58PM.
- 5 Farmers' Supermarket, Ogbomoso-Osogbo Road. A grocery store.
- 6 Alata Supermarket, Beside Mr Bigg's, ☏ +234 803 252 3232. 8AM-6PM. They provide in-store shopping.
- 7 Brent Stores, Beside BOVAS filling station, Takie, ☏ +2347030208600. 9AM-9PM.
- 8 Tasbif Supermarket, Kuye road, oríta naira ogbomoso. Delivery, in-store shopping, same-day delivery, in-store pickup.
Eat
- 1 JJJ Restaurant, Bowen University Teaching Hospital, Oyo - Ogbomoso Road. Daily 8AM-8PM. Takeaway.
- 2 Lagos Food Canteen, Nitel Road, Takie Ogbomoso. Daily 8AM-6PM. Dine-in. Takeaway. No delivery.
- 3 Nnwanyi Enugu Restaurant, Ogbomosho Rd. Daily 8:30PM-9PM. Dine-in. Takeaway. Delivery.
- 4 PECTORIA Restaurant, Jata str. off No.92 Abogunde Rd, Oke-Aanu, ☏ +234 815 999 4117. 7AM-10PM. They have different continental dishes like dessert, shawarma, pizza, barbecue, fruit salad, dish pie, fritries, coleslaw, cold stone ,beef suya pizza, chicken and cheese. Service options includes dine in and take away, no delivery. ₦1000.
- 5 Spicy Hut Restaurant, 2 Highet Rd, Oke-Ado. M-Sa 9AM-6PM, Su closed. Dine-in. Takeaway. Delivery.
- 6 Yekebu Food Canteen, Owode Road, Off Oyo Ilorin Road, Orita Okelerin. Daily 8AM-9PM.
- Bukka King Restaurants, Along g71, Facebook junction, under g, lautech Ogbomoso, ogbomoso Oyo, ☏ +234 702 589 4402. 24 hours Daily. They offer different kinds of Nigerian delicacies, rice, beans, boiled yam, jollof rice, fried rice and moi moi.
- Alice Place, The Glasshouse, Stadium Rd, 212102, Ogbomosho, ☏ +234 816 526 2603. 8AM-10PM. Jollof rice and beef rice and moimoi amala, jollof pasta chicken peppered chicken yam porridge chicken and beef chicken and chips fried rice spaghetti pasta indomie and noodles sauce, eba ewedu, egusi and other Nigerian delicacies.
Service options:Dine in take away delivery. - Dominion Eatery & Catering Services, Under G Area, behind Doyin Guest House, 212102, Ogbomosho, ☏ +234 806 777 2313. 8AM-10PM. Menu categories: soup: egusi, gbegiri, ewedu, okro, ogbono, vegetable soup etc swallow:eba,garri,semo,wheat, amala, fufu akpu, poundo yam. Protein options include cow leg, beef, chicken and assorted meat. Their services options includes dine in, take away and Delivery. ₦300.
- August Brothers, Old Ilorin Road, opp. Lautech Main Gate, Ogbomosho, ☏ +234 817 116 3430. 11:30AM - 9PM. They offer different delicacies of fast food, local dishes amd continental dishes, you can make reviews about the meal andplace your order@augustbrothersng. On Instagram. They do dine in, take away ,delivery, fast food.
- Mr Bigg's Ogbomosho, Ogbomoso-Ilorin Rd, Ogbomosho. 8AM-10PM. Restaurant and eartry that offer different delicacies of fast food meals like jollof rice and chicken,fried rice and plantain,chicken and chips, Doughnuts, porridge, Amala ewedu,onions and meat.
Service options includes dine in and take away delivery. ₦700 and above. - Satisfiers Restaurant, Adenike Way, 212102, Ogbomosho, ☏ +234 803 899 4275. 9AM-6PM. They offer delicacies like meat plantain rice and stew jollof rice fried rice spaghetti yam porridge smoke fish amala ewedu okro and Asun.
They rendered service includes dine in take away delivery. - Chicken Place, Ogbomosho, ☏ +234 813 207 5907. 8AM-9PM daily. They have jollof rice, fried rice and plantain white rice and stew peppered chicken porridge fruit salad, cream salad and jollof rice, vegetable soup goat meat rice and moimoi beans and plantain spaghetti pasta, jollof pasta and many more. Service options includes dine in take away delivery.
- Mama B Food, Takie, Ogbomosho, ☏ +234 816 678 0337. 9AM-6PM. Mama B food offers varieties of meal combination they have available rice beans jollof rice beans and plantain yam and egg bread and beans moimoi spaghetti ewedu soup okro soup, boiled yam, gbegiri and many more.
- Forks and Fingers, 8 Lawyer Hammed street, 2, Ogbomosho, ☏ +234 803 223 7996. 8AM-9:30PM daily. Forks & Fingers provide a fusion of African and West Indian meals, home cooked dishes and desserts. They offer a conducive environment for customers and their meals are pocket friendly. Take away package is available. ₦200.
- Alata food, Adenike Way, 212102, Ogbomosho, ☏ +234 817 499 9997. 9AM-6PM. They offer different delicacies of like jollof rice and chicken, white rice and stew, house salad dressing,vegetable fried rice, chicken barbecue, salad, shawarma fried fish and chips and many more. Take away package and no contact Delivery service available.
Drink
- 1 360° Lounge and Bar, Alata supermarket okay Tintin. Daily. Takeaway.
- 2 777, Kaara St, Sabo. Daily 7PM-midnight. Dine-in.
- 3 Aso Rock Bar, Abegan St, ☏ +234 803 862 8826. M-Sa 9AM-10PM, Su noon-10PM. Takeaway.
- 4 Ay bar Bus Stop, Favour iyana ogojo, Kerr Rd, ☏ +234 802 731 0621. Daily.
- 5 Hollywood Cool spot, Sabo. Daily. Takeaway.
- 6 Liquor Bar, Under G Area. Daily. Dine-in.
- 7 Sachimo Bar, Oke anu Rd, Sabo. Daily. Dine-in.
- 8 The ojediran Bar, Papa Ajao st. Daily. Dine-in.
- 9 Lere Bar (Iya Lere/Iya Ibeji), Behind NTA ogbomoso, Ogbomoso. 10:00-23:00. They sell all sort of drinks and wine. The place is popularly known for its unique pepper soup recipe.
Sleep
- 1 Amazing Spring hotel and suites, Adewole Aareegbe Close under G Area, ☏ +234 703 011 4216. Check-out: noon. Free parking, free breakfast, and restaurant.
- 2 DUREM Hotel & Resort, Beside Ogbomoso High School (Along Ogbomosho-Ilorin Road). 20,350₦.
- 3 Imperial Heritage Hotel, 2, Adenike Rd, ☏ +234 813 495 0513. Check-in: noon, check-out: noon. Pool, spa, free parking and free wifi.
- 4 Le Harve Hotel, Ajacent 1500LT, Under G Rd, ☏ +234 806 628 3241. Free parking, free breakfast, pool and air conditioning.
- 5 Nest Hotel, University Road. Amenities of the hotel include a pool, food service and room service.
- 6 Pectoria Guest House, oke any area. Amenities of the hotel include a pool, food service and room service.
Connect
All major mobile phone service networks are available in Ogbomosho but with varying degree of reliability and usability. Often times, it is customary to experience network outage for all or some of the mobile phone service providers. Such situation is particularly common in some remote areas of the town. And it is also common for different networks to be more stable and reliable in different locations at different times.
Since you can't tell which will be more stable and reliable at a time in your location during your visit, it is preferable if you are planning a visit to this city to plan on having multiple SIM cards that cut across all the mobile service providers. And if you will risk not having any of them, you might be better off not risking the MTN network, because, from indications, it seems to perform well than the others, though its rates may be high and its offers and services might be stringent, but you are less likely to be concerned of erratic voice and data connection compared to others. The various broadband cellular networks available include 2G, 3G, and 4G networks, but the coverage of the 4G network is not widespread.
Of the service providers is Glo (or Globacom), which boasts of fast network speed for internet browsing activities, but that might not be enjoyable in many locations in Ogbomosho. Airtel is fairly satisfactory for all you might need to connect to the world, including rates and network stability. And for 9mobile, it usually also performs well in internet browsing speed but not without locational limitations.