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Olumo Rock

Olumo rock is an historical monument, functioned as a shelter and fortress to the Egba people during the Yoruba wars. By 1930, the bulk of the Egba‟s had already settled at the site of Olumo Rock and the refuge provided by the rock marked the end of their wanderings and fights for existence. Since then, they regard the Olumo rock as their protective shrine and they make annual ransoms to its deity. Olumo Rock is located in the traditional core of Abeokuta Town in Ogun State, Nigeria. The rock is the most important tourist attraction in the state. The Olumo rock is a massive outcrop of granite rock, pre-cambrian geological formation.
It is located between Ikija and Ikereku neighborhoods and visible from all parts of the city. Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun state derives its name from this rock. Abeokuta lies southwest of the Republic of Nigeria, and is 100 kilometers from Lagos, the commercial nerve of Lagos, to the north, and to the south some 70 kilometers away from the city of Ibadan. The highest point on the Olumo rock is about 137 meters above sea level. The Ogun River which gives the name of the state flows west of the Olumo rock. The name „Olumo‟ means “God built it.” It is surrounded by a lot of caves within which the Egbas took refuge in the time of Yoruba inter-cities war. One of such caves, which are about 6m by 7m wide, has slab-like stones that must have served as seats for ancient occupiers around the cave. Olumo rock is a traditional monument, assisted as a housing and fortress to the Egba people during the Yoruba wars. People from all walks of life still come here for divine consultation.