Residents and traditional leaders of Ebute Igboro in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State have called on the state government to develop Oleyo, an ancient water fall located in the community, into a major cultural and tourist attraction.
The appeal was made on Wednesday during a gathering to revive and celebrate the traditional heritage surrounding Oleyo water fall with community leaders explaining that the water spring has existed for generations and has historically played an important role in the cultural and spiritual life of the people.
While speaking with News Channel, the Elebute of Ebute-Igbooro, Alhaji Amusa Adetunji Dosumu, said that the water fall is situated on Ebute-Igbooro land and belongs to the community.
“Ebute-Igbooro owns Oleyo water fall, he said, stressing that the community had maintained a longstanding relationship with the site.
Oba Dosumu also spoke about the perceived cultural significance of Oleyo water fall saying the community had continued to associate the spring with positive experiences and good water.
“There are many benefits, because this Oleyo water does not tolerate evil. We see that it brings good water,” he said.
The traditional ruler appealed to the Ogun State Government to support the community in developing and promoting the site, particularly as part of efforts to preserve Yoruba cultural heritage and attract visitors.
“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 Jerimiah Ijiola, described Oleyo as a remarkable natural and cultural heritage whose potential, he said, had not been fully explored.
Ijiola said members of the community had traditionally visited the location to pray, adding that the spring had been associated with local traditional practices for generations.
“Nobody ever thought that something as wonderful and awe-inspiring as this existed here,” he said.
He explained that prayers and traditional activities had historically been conducted at the location, adding that the community had stories about rainfall occurring during such occasions.
“Normally, whenever we come here, we pray. We pray, and once we get here and offer prayers, rain falls,” Ijiola said.
The community leader, however, said the immediate priority was for the government to develop the site in a manner that would benefit both the community and the state.
“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,” he said.
According to him, proper development of the site could create an additional tourism attraction in Ogun State, while also providing economic opportunities for residents of Ebute-Igbooro.
“For a water spring like this, if they develop it to be big enough, the government will benefit from it. The state will gain, and the community will gain,” he added.
Ijiola urged the government to take ownership of the development process by providing infrastructure and facilities that could make Oleyo water fall accessible to tourists and visitors.
He drew a comparison with the development of Olumo Rock in Abeokuta, saying Oleyo waterfall could similarly be transformed into a destination capable of attracting visitors from within and outside Nigeria.
“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.
The Balogun further said representatives of the government had visited the location, expressing hope that their visit would lead to concrete action.
“The government has sent their representatives. Since they know that when they return, they will give feedback, the government ought to take action to help us develop this place into a tourist centre,” he said.
He added that, based on information available to the community, the water spring was believed to be unique in Ogun State.
“From the information I gathered, there is no other water fall like this in Ogun. This is the first one here,” Ijiola said.He also reiterated the community’s position that the site was located on Ebute-Igbooro land.
“It is on Ebute land itself; Ebute owns this whole area,” he stated.
Another community leader, Alani Olusoja the Abore of Ebute-Igboro, said the revival of Oleyo was not merely about the water spring but also about preserving the community’s traditional heritage.
Speaking on what residents expected after the traditional worship at Oleyo, Alani said, “We should expect peace, abundance, wealth, children, and water in huge abundance.”
He urged indigenes and residents to protect their traditional heritage, warning against abandoning indigenous cultural practices.
“My advice for all of us here today is that traditional heritage (Isese) is vital, it is important. We must not throw away our traditions/heritage,” he said.
He explained that the revival followed renewed interest by the traditional ruler, chiefs and indigenes after questions arose about the location and history of Oleyo.
“Everyone had abandoned it for a while. Then the King (Kabiyesi), along with all the chiefs and the indigenes, heard about it: ‘Is Oleyo really right here in this spot?’ That was how the whole town was informed,” he said.
Alani added that the traditional ruler subsequently fixed a date for the community to formally revive the celebration.
“Let Kabiyesi revamp its worship. So Kabiyesi set a date, saying, ‘Today, we want to celebrate its festival,’ which is why all of us gathered here in large numbers to celebrate,” he added.
The Youth Leader of Ebute-Igbooro , Chief Emmanuel Akan, also said Oleyo water fall was not a recent discovery, explaining that the existence and traditional significance of the spring had been passed down through generations.
“Oleyo has been here long before we were born. Long before our fathers gave birth to us, we heard that Oleyo was here and that they used to worship it. So, it is not a recent discovery,” Akan said.
He reiterated the community’s claim that the surrounding area belonged to Ebute-Igbooro, adding that the spring had historically been used by their forefathers.
“The fathers before us who gave birth to my own parents were already worshipping it here in Ebute,” he said.
Akan also spoke about the growing interest in the water, claiming that visitors from different parts of Nigeria and abroad had been coming to the location to collect it for prayers and traditional purposes.
“As it is right now, people come all the way from abroad, from Abuja, and from everywhere to fetch this water,” he said.
He appealed to the Ogun State Government to intervene by providing infrastructure and helping the community transform the location into a modern cultural and tourism destination.
“We want the government to assist us with it—to help elevate our Yoruba cultural heritage, to modernize it, and to turn it into something great and remarkable,” Akan said.
He specifically called for improved access roads, fencing, renovation and other basic facilities that could make the site suitable for visitors.
“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,” he said.
Akan expressed optimism that with government intervention, Oleyo water fall could develop into a major cultural attraction, comparing its potential with the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove.
“In fact, if the government helps us, it could even surpass Osun-Osogbo. It can grow bigger and better than Osun-Osogbo,” he said.
The community leaders therefore urged the Ogun State Government to consider Oleyo water fall as part of the state’s cultural and tourism development agenda, arguing that its natural features, historical significance and traditional heritage could provide opportunities for tourism, employment and revenue generation.
They also called for collaboration between the government, traditional institutions and the local community to ensure that any development of the site respects the cultural values attached to Oleyo while providing modern facilities for tourists and visitors.
Also, Akeweje Ebute-Igbooro Chief Obasanjo Ojugbele urge the State Government to fast-track the development of Oleyo waterfall, doing this will boost Ogun state Economy.
