. Community wants ancient site developed like Olumo Rock, Osun-Osogbo
The Elebute of Ebute-Igbooro, Oba Amusa Adetunji Dosunmu, and residents of Ebute-Igbooro in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State have appealed to the state government to develop the ancient Oleyo Waterfall into a major cultural and tourism centre.
The monarch made the appeal on Wednesday during a gathering organised to revive and celebrate the traditional heritage associated with Oleyo Waterfall, which community leaders said had existed for generations and remained an important part of the cultural history of the people.
Oba Dosunmu said Oleyo Waterfall was situated on Ebute-Igbooro land and had maintained a longstanding relationship with the community.
“Ebute-Igbooro owns Oleyo Waterfall,” the monarch said, while stressing the community’s desire to see the site developed without losing its cultural significance.
The traditional ruler urged the Ogun State Government to intervene with infrastructure and other facilities that would transform the site into a recognised tourist destination and promote Yoruba cultural heritage.
“We want the government to support us in elevating it, so that everything goes smoothly. Let them assist us; that is what we want the government to do for us,” he said.
Also speaking, the Balogun of Ebute-Igbooro, Chief Jeremiah Ijiola, described Oleyo as a remarkable natural and cultural heritage whose tourism and economic potential had yet to be fully explored.
Ijiola said members of the community had traditionally visited the waterfall to pray, adding that the spring had been associated with traditional practices passed down through generations.
“Nobody ever thought that something as wonderful and awe-inspiring as this existed here,” he said.
According to him, proper development of the site could generate revenue for both the state and the community, while creating economic opportunities for residents.
“We want the Ogun State Government to help us turn it into something big. Because with a water spring like this, the government can generate revenue from it,” Ijiola said.
He urged the government to provide infrastructure that would make Oleyo accessible to tourists, drawing a comparison with Olumo Rock in Abeokuta, which has been developed as a major tourist attraction.
Just like they took care of Olumo, how they renovated Olumo Rock so that it became a tourist centre—where people come from far away distances,” he said.
Ijiola disclosed that government representatives had already visited the location, expressing hope that the visit would result in concrete development plans.
Another community leader, the Abore of Ebute-Igboro, Alani Olusola, said the revival of Oleyo was also aimed at preserving the traditional heritage of the people.
He urged indigenes and residents not to abandon their indigenous culture, saying, “Traditional heritage (Isese) is vital, it is important. We must not throw away our traditions/heritage.”
The Youth Leader of Ebute-Igbooro, Chief Emmanuel Akan, said Oleyo was not a recent discovery, noting that its existence and cultural significance had been handed down from one generation to another.
He appealed for government intervention through the construction of access roads, fencing, renovation and other basic infrastructure required to turn the site into a modern cultural and tourism destination.
“We want the government to assist us with access roads leading here, to help modernize it, and to help build a proper fence and renovate it so that it becomes a modern destination,” Akan said.
Akan further said the community believed Oleyo had the potential to become a major attraction comparable with established cultural destinations such as the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove.
Also, the Akeweje of Ebute-Igbooro, Chief Obasanjo Ojugbele, urged the state government to fast-track the development of the waterfall, saying such investment would have a positive impact on Ogun’s economy.
“Doing this will boost Ogun State economy,” Ojugbele said.
