If nipping the economic adversity affecting
many states of the federation in the bud is as important as claimed, looking
inward to finding an alternative means of generating revenue can be the key.
Many states like Osun have been said to be
economically vulnerable, because of their large dependence on federal
allocations over the years.
What many did not know however, is the fact
that Osun state has much potentials that could translate into revenue, if
well harnessed.\
The attention of this piece centres on the famous
“ERIN-IJESHA WATERFALLS” also known as “OLUMIRIN WATERFALLS”.
This beautiful and amazing work of nature
is situated in “Erin-Ijesha” Oriade local government area of the State of Osun,
Southwest Nigeria.
Said to have been discovered by a woman
called Akinla, the founder of Erin-ijesha and a granddaughter of Oduduwa, the
progenitor of the Yoruba race in the year 1140 AD, the waterfalls is approximately
2km away from the centre of the town.
Indeed! oluminrin waterfalls is a beauty to
behold. The serenity of the site will unarguably ignite unwavering passion in tourists,
the uneven steps to the hills will make one gnash ones teeth, while the cool
breeze will help calm the nerves.\
Climbing the seven layers of rocks and the
waterfalls can be likened to hiking, but the satisfaction that comes with
coming face to face with this natural habitat is an experience to have.
Seeing water flows from the uphills,
splashing through the vegetation with a great force and landing on the rocks
beats any human imagination.\
The newly installed Akila of Erin-ijesha, Oba
Isaac Adeyeba Ayeni is of the opinion that with proper upgrade and management, the
tourist centre “ERIN-IJESHA WATERFALLS” can sustain the economy of the state.
“What I call our gold or diamond is there…Olumirin
waterfalls. If you go there you will see what God has endowed us with. That
tourist centre alone can generate a lot of fund for this community and the
state at large.
“We settled in this place because of the waterfalls,
it took our forefathers 17 days to trek from ile-ife to this place and it was
that waterfalls that attracted them. But the waterfalls has been there for
years undeveloped; we can turn it around and make it a tourist centre that
people all over the world can visit”
“So, I will call on the government to allow
serious external investors to come and invest in this place, so that we can
generate work for our teeming populace especially the youths who are unemployed
at present”
According
to a tourist, Abiola Josh, the uniqueness of the site explains the unimaginable
wonders of God, attributing its appalling state to the lackadaisical attitude of men.
“I have been there more than three times,
and still cannot get enough of this wonder of the Almighty. To know that there
is a place so natural to feel the impact of God, for me alone is something to
think about.”
“Although the place isn’t usually kept,
but, the serenity is enough for one to forget his worries. Like I normally
visit the place when I want to get away from the polluted world, and I usually climb
to the fourth fall, because most people stop at the first and second falls,
because of the amount of stress involved”
Another tourist, Akinwumi Abayomi,
describes the site as a place to behold and converge for relaxation and
retreat.
“I will never in my life forget the amount of
fun and exercise I had during my visit to the waterfalls. Although, I couldn’t climb
beyond the second fall, it was one of the real time experiences I have ever
had. I kept shouting on top of my voice to hear the echo”
“if the concerned authorities could do well
by upgrading this natural endowment to meet international standard, and engage
in strategic management, this can go a long way in developing the town and as
well generate income for government through tourism”
“I believe many people in this country have
no idea that there is such a wonderful place in Osun, all we hear about is Osun
grove, which seems more popular because of United Nations and publicity. Government
should invest heavily in the place or partner with interested people or group of
people”\
This monument is a “treasure” waiting to be
harnessed for the development of its natural abode, the state where it belongs
and the nation in general.
It was reported that about 50,000 tourists
visited the site between January and November 2014, one will then wonder what the
number would be, if the tourist centre is well placed among its equals.
It is obvious that the full potentials of
this waterfalls are yet to be harnessed by the appropriate quarters. Developing
this site would not only create another means of revenue for the government, but
also creates job opportunities and invariably reducing the number of unemployed
youths in the state.
The development
of this great site called “Olumirin Waterfalls” will no doubt place it on the
pedestal of one of the best tourist resorts in Africa.
Meanwhile, a visit to the state of Osun
without exploring the beauty of nature at the Erin-Ijesha waterfalls is not
complete.
So, next time you are in the land of the
virtue, make it part of your plans to visit this natural water habitat.
Nice piece, Kudos to u Jemima.
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