Going by oral historical and popular tradition, Osun state, located at the heart of the southwest region of Nigeria, could be regarded as the homestate of the entire Yoruba race. Though carved unto its current political shape only in 1991 by the babangida administration, the state which hosts the ancient city of Ife (held in Yoruba folklore as the cradle of all civilization) has a rich history dating back as far as the 10th century AD when the ancient kingdom flourished.
Prior to the promulgation of General Ibrahim Babangida's state Creation and Transitional Provisions Decree No. 37 of 1991, Osun state was a part of the old Oyo state created in 1976 out of the defunct Western region.
Spread across almost 10,000 square kilometres of dense rainfall, Osun state may be one of Nigeria's smaller states in terms of landmass, but is well populated with over 4 million inhabitants; most of which are native Yorubas. The state is divided into 30 Local Government Areas: Aiyedade, Aiyedire, Akakumosa East, Atakumosa West, Boluwaduro, Boripe, Ede South, Ede North, Egbedore, Ejigbo, Ifelodun, I've Central, Ife East, Ife North, Ife South, Ila, Ilesha East, Ilesha West, Irepodun, Isoka, Iwo, Obokun, Odo Otin, Olaoluwa, Olorunda, Oriade, Orolu and Osogbo the administrative capital.
The state is nestled between Kwara, Ekiti, Ondo, Ogun, and Oyo state, and is named after the highly revered Osun River which is venerated as the goddess of love, fertility and wealth. ln Osun state, Christianity, Islam, and traditional African religion are equally prevalent, and the people take great pride in their rich cultural heritage.
Osun state profile as a key tourism destination in the southwest is further buoyed by such attraction as the Museum at lfe, the Erin-ljebu Waterfalls, and the art centre of famous adire maestro Nike Davies-Okindaye. Osogbo is also renowned as the centre of the Mbari Mbayo Art Movement started in the 1960s by German scholar Ulrich ‘Ulli’ Beier.
few collection of osun state more stories that need to be told, meanwhile thanks for reading and hope your sunday is going smoothly..
