Browsing by Author "Bashiru A. A.1 Okunlola, K. A. 2, Igbekele G.3., Festus A. S."

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    SUSTAINING THE MOMENTOUS BILIKISU-SUNGBO SHRINE POTENTIALS IN IJEBU-ODE, OGUN STATE FOR GLOBAL TOURISM DEVELOPMENT
    (Journal of Institutional Catering, Hospitality And Tourism Management (JICHTM) Vol 5, No 1 2023, 2023-03-20) Bashiru A. A.1 Okunlola, K. A. 2, Igbekele G.3., Festus A. S.
    Abstract Sustaining the momentous bilikisu Sungbo shrine in Ijebu Ode for global and national tourism development is of paramount. Bilikisu Sungbo’s tomb is located at Oke Eri, Ijebu Ode in Ogun State straddles Christianity, Islam and the Coptic traditions of Ethiopia.Bilikisu Sungbo’s tomb is located at Oke Eri, Ijebu Ode in Ogun State. The legend of Sungbo, straddles Christianity, Islam and the Coptic Orthodox Christianity traditions of Ethiopia. The tomb is reputed to be the largest single precolonial monument in Africa. Overwhelming oral information points to this site as the final resting place of Bilikisu Sungbo, who is believed to be the famous Queen of Sheba who enjoys prominent mention in both the Bible and the Quran, in detailed accounts of her relationship with King Solomon. She is also believed to be a wealthy but childless woman who according to oral tradition caused the vast historic earthwork Eredo in Ijebu Ode to be built as a memorial to her. The Bilikisu Sungbo shrine was added to the cultural category of UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995 as a result of its historic significance. Since Tourism has become one of the main focus for economic revitalization globally and especially in developing countries where attention is being directed, to serve as avenue for economic diversification, then the shrine coupled with the presence of the associated Eredo which is rich in historic and archaeological information has placed its tourism potential at a huge advantageous pedestal. Unfortunately, as at now the tourism supporting infrastructure in Sungbo in Ijebu Ode is underdeveloped and grossly inadequate, and had received no attention of government efforts as a source of effective and sustainable development. The paper concludes that for a labor surplus economy like Nigeria, harnessing tourism site of Bilikisu Sungbo in Ijebu Ode site can contribute significantly to economic growth and development.