Lagelu Masoluem is one of the historical site and tourism potential in Ibadan. Oyo state capital.
The state is endowed with a humongous tourism potentials but which can generate revenue for the state and enhances creativity industry but lack of interest in the successive government is depriving the people of the state from enjoying the econo benefits of massive traffic of local and foreign tourists.
Lagelu, a warrior, who migrated from Ile-Ife in the present Osun State and settled down in a place called Eba Odan which later metamorphosed into Ibadan some centuries ago, is regarded as the founder of Ibadan land.
Lagelu was said to have buried himself alive in Awotan, a settlement in the present Ido Local government area of Ibadan and the spot where Lagelu buried himself had been designated as “Lagelu Shrine” since then.
The shrine/ masoleum which is the resting place of Lagelu is not in a good shape and it may not interest any tourists to visit the place because aprt from the shrine, there is nothing to show for it.
It may take extra lense to read the signpost at the lifeforte junction which directed a first time visitor to the centre. The road leading to the masoleum is not in good shape. Many thanks to Engineer Seyi Makinde who reconstructed the bridge and direct grading of the road in 2021 but for now the road is back in its rough form.
If not for The Mogaji of lagelu’s family and others who raised alarm over the activities of land grabbers around the shrine , the piece of land on which the shrine standa would have been sold to unsuspecting strangers for residential apartment.
Some of the residents who spoke with our correspondent said they want Governor Seyi Makinde, Olubadan of Ibadan, the leadership of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes CCII and other stakeholders to develop the area by fixing the road, erect a perimeter fence round the place and transform the shrine into a proper masoleum of international standard.
A historical research center and library can also be constructed on the land and make the centre functional
