SUSTAINING THE MOMENTOUS BILIKISU-SUNGBO SHRINE POTENTIALS IN IJEBU-ODE, OGUN STATE FOR GLOBAL TOURISM DEVELOPMENT
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Date
2023-03-20
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Journal of Institutional Catering, Hospitality And Tourism Management (JICHTM) Vol 5, No 1 2023
Abstract
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.