- He noted that Egbaland is endowed with numerous historical locations and figures whose stories should be properly documented
- Obasanjo stressed the importance of restoring, safeguarding and actively promoting historic sites
- Obasanjo accepted the invitation, pledged his support for the initiative and confirmed his willingness to deliver the proposed lecture
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called for the preservation and promotion of the Iwe Iroyin House in Abeokuta, where Nigeria’s first newspaper was published in December 1859 by British missionary, Rev. Henry Townsend, urging that it be officially recognised as a major national heritage site.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that Obasanjo also advocated similar recognition for other historic landmarks across Egbaland, including the Abeokuta residence of Efunsetan Aniwura, one of the most influential Yoruba women of her time and former Iyalode of Ibadan; the two-storey building owned by Madam Efunroye Tinubu near Akin Olugbade Hospital; her burial site at Gbagura; the old Ibara Railway Station; and the first flyover constructed in Abeokuta.
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He further emphasised the need to spotlight prominent Egba personalities and institutions such as the Ransome-Kuti family, the Toye Cokers, the Majekodunmis, the late M.K.O. Abiola, and Abeokuta Grammar School, describing them as vital to preserving the town’s rich historical identity.
According to a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo made the remarks while receiving members of the Lisabi Pre-Festival Heritage Tour and Cultural Art Exhibition organising committee in Egbaland.
The Lisabi Day Festival is an annual cultural event held in honour of Lisabi Agbongbo Akala, the legendary Egba warrior believed to have disappeared into the Oba Forest in present-day Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State about two centuries ago.
During the meeting, Obasanjo stressed the importance of restoring, safeguarding and actively promoting historic sites, warning that continued neglect could lead to the loss of valuable cultural heritage and undermine tourism development.
He noted that Egbaland is endowed with numerous historical locations and figures whose stories should be properly documented and presented to the world.
Among the sites he highlighted as requiring urgent attention were the Iwe Iroyin House and the Ibara Prison, one of the oldest correctional facilities in Nigeria.
Other locations mentioned included the deteriorating Ibara Railway Station, Oke Sokori—associated with Efunsetan Aniwura—Madam Tinubu’s historic buildings and burial ground, as well as the city’s first flyover.
Speaking earlier, Chairman of the Lisabi Festival Committee and Asipa of Egbaland, Navy Captain Rasheed Adisa Raji (retd.), said the delegation visited to brief Obasanjo on preparations for the 2026 Lisabi Festival and the planned pre-festival heritage tour and cultural art exhibition.
Raji explained that the activities would feature exhibitions on traditional herbs and indigenous medicine, adding that the organisers also sought Obasanjo’s consent to deliver a lecture on the role of traditional herbal knowledge in Egbaland.
The Coordinator of the Pre-Festival Heritage Tour and Cultural Art Exhibition, Olusanya John, presented the programme itinerary, noting that all sections of Egbaland would take part in hosting tours and exhibitions during the festival.
Obasanjo accepted the invitation, pledged his support for the initiative and confirmed his willingness to deliver the proposed lecture to contribute to the success of the festival.
Other members of the delegation included Prof. Ajao Adelekan; veteran theatre practitioner Ebun Oloyede, popularly known as Igwe Olaiya; Chief Sina Yekinni; Chief Modupeoluwa Sanyaolu; Chief Akindele M. Olajumoke; Basirat Adisa; and Olawunmi Abiola, among others.
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