Iya Olumo, the custodian of the deity of popular tourist centre, Olumo Rock died on Wednesday aged 137 years.
Real name, Chief (Mrs) Sinatu Aduke Sanni was the mother goddess of the reversed tourist destination located in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Her son, Solomon Adio, who confirmed her death, said his mother died at her Itoko residence in Abeokuta after a brief illness.
Olumo Rock was reportedly used as a natural fortress during an inter-tribal war in the 19th century. As recorded, after the Egba people hid within the rock, they became invisible to their enemies, who searched everywhere with a view of killing them.
Since then, the Olumo Rock has become one of the major tourist attractions in Nigeria with a captivating embodiment. It stands out among other tourist attractions in Ogun State. With its surrounding lush history, Olumo Rock will never cease to bring tourists to wonder at how rocks can tell stories on their own.
For many years, Iya Olumo had been another attraction to tourists as she furnished people with peculiar information about the popular Olumo Rock.
As she aged, she remained the cynosure of all eyes by not showing any sign of tiredness in her duty at the tourist centre.
However, the aged woman died a few months to her 138 birthday.
According to her son, Adio, the doyen lived in one of the enclaves under the rock for more than 40 years where she served the gods of the rock.
“She was the mother of the deity. We are going to miss her a lot. Mama lived her life for the rock, for the deity. She was dedicated to the gods”, Adio recalled.
Olumo Rock stands at a height of 137 metres above sea level which is almost half the height of the Eiffel Tower, Paris which stands at 300 metres. Also, the height of Olumo Rock cannot be compared to Zuma Rock in Niger State, which stands at 725 metres above sea level.
One of the attractions to Olumo Rock is that it is easy to climb. Its stairs are carved into it for easy climbing, while an easier option is provided to climb through the staircases or elevator to reach the summit.
