By Thompson ABISOLA
In its bid to further reposition Lagos State as a fast growing tourist destination, the government said it will partner with Eredo Local Council Development Area, to develop Sungbo to a world class heritage site.
Chairman, Eredo LCDA, near Epe, Mr Adeniyi Saliu, disclosed this during an inspection visit to Sungbo site on Saturday in Epe, Lagos State.
Saliu visited the site in the company of Mr Steve Ayorinde, Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture.
Saliu explained that the development of the site became necessary because it would further boost tourism potentials in the community.
“The development of the heritage site is part of my priority to turn it to a world class tourist centre, which will in turn boost the revenue of the council and state government,” he said.
According to him, the state government has agreed after series of inspections to the site to partner with the council to upgrade the heritage site to world standard.
“The efforts are geared towards making use of our natural heritage for the benefit of the citizens. “My administration is committed to place the council on world map,” he said.
Ayorinde then explained that within the past year, the ministry had carried out studies on the development of monuments such as Sungbo Eredo, which is regarded as one of Africa’s most prominent monuments.
“These monuments located in Eredo Town, Epe in Lagos State will be re-developed.
“We have plans of rehabilitating the heritage site, which has a unique landmark of our heritage as a people,” he said.
According to him, the Lagos State Government will go into partnership with Eredo LCDA, to upgrade the site to a world class heritage tourist site.
“The government will upgrade the monument to international standards. The edifice will be a pride to all Nigerians and will add value as a befitting tourist centre within the state,” he said.
TBI Africa reports that Sungbo Eredo is a heritage tourist site, with a total length of more than 160 km, the fortifications consist of a ditch with unusually smooth walls and a bank in the inner side of ditch.
The height difference between the bottom of the ditch and the upper rim of the bank on the inner side can reach 20 metres.
The ditch forms an uneven ring around the area of the ancient Ijebu Kingdom, an area approximately 40 km wide in north-south, with the walls flanked by trees and other vegetation, turning the ditch into a green tunnel.
Sungbo Eredo has also been connected with the legend of the Queen of Sheba, which is recounted in both the Bible and Quran.
In the Hebrew Bible, she is described as having sent a caravan of gold, ivory and other goods from her kingdom to Solomon.
In the Quran she is an Ethiopian sun-worshiper involved in the incense trade who converts to Islam; commentators added that her name was “Bilqis”.
Legends of the contemporary Ijebu clan link the Eredo to this fabled woman, a wealthy, childless widow named Bilikisu Sungbo.
According to them, the monument was built as her personal memorial. In addition to this, her grave is believed to be located in Oke-Eiri, a town just north of the Eredo.
The Eredo served a defensive purpose when it was built in 800–1000, a period of political confrontation and consolidation in the southern Nigerian rain forest.
