The palace of Deji of Akure has been declared the second National Monument in Ondo State by the Federal Government. The mighty palace located in the heart of Akure, the state capital now contained eighteen court-yards
Each of the court-yard is used for specific ceremony or for the living of the Oba’s household. For example ‘Uha lila’ is used for ceremonial occasion such as reception for important dignitaries while ‘Uha Ojukoto’ is used for the installation of chiefs and Uha Ibura’ for oath-taking.
It is interesting to note that the massive palace were knowledgeable in, what is described as, the art of modern landscaping, because each of the ground floor of courtyards is higher than the other, allowing the free flow of the rain-water from one courtyard to the other, and finally emptying itself into the main courtyard, known as ‘Ua Nla’, and from there to the city’s main drainage system.
The Unique drainage system of the massive Palace has prevented the collapse of the walls of the courtyards unlike other Palaces in –Yoruba land, whose courtyards lacked proper drainage system thereby resulting into water-logged courtyards and basement of the walls after any drainage. There are three main entrances to the main Courtyard, ‘Ua Nla’ facing the main road; one for the males, one for the females, while the central one is for the Royalty i.e. the Oba.
Reference: ondostate.gov.ng/deji_palace.htm
Ondo State
Ondo is a state in Nigeria.
Official Name Ondo State of Nigeria
Appellation Sunshine State
Date of Creation February, 1976
State Capital Akure
Festivals Ogun, Olokun, Igogo, Egungan, Ajagbo, Orosun, Arigiya, Boat Regatta and Mare.
Population 3,460,877 comprising 1,745.057 Male and 1,715,820 female(as at 2006)
Languages Yoruba, Ijaw and English (Official Language) and several dialects of the sub-groups.
People The indigenes are predominantly Yoruba namely: the Akoko, Akure, Apoi, Idanre, Ijaw, Ikale, Ilaje, Ondo and the Owo. Ondo crop of educated elites has led to its being classified as one of the most educationally advanced states in Nigeria. The people are mostly subsistence farmers, fishermen and traders.
The life pattern of the people represents an embodiment of culture, ranging from the local foodstuff to the mode of dressing, dancing, wood crafts, such as carved house post and decorated doors. The Culture of Ondo State people speaks volume. Antiquities and artifacts are also preserved in palaces of traditional rulers some of which have been declared as National Monuments.
Location The state lies between longitudes 4″30″ and 6″ East of the Greenwich Meridian, 5″45″ and 8″ 15″ North of the Equator. This means that the state lies entirely in the tropics.
18 Local Government Areas Ondo State, made up of 18 Local Government Areas is located in the South Western Zone of Nigeria.
Boundaries Ondo state is bounded in the North by Ekiti/Kogi State; in the East by Edo State; in the West by Oyo and Ogun States and in the South by the Atlantic Ocean.
Land Area: 14,788.723 square kilometers.
Vegetation The state enjoys generally, luxuriant vegetation. A high forest zone (or rain forest) is found in the south, while the northern fringesis mostly sub- savannah forest.
Climate The climate is tropical with two distinct seasons viz the rainy season (April-October) and the Dry season (November-March). The temperature through out the year ranges from 21C-29C while humidity is relatively high. The annual rain fall varies from 2.000mm in the southern parts to 1150mm in the northern areas. The rainfall decreases in amount and distribution from the coast to the hinterland.
Natural resources Extensive fertile soil suitable for agriculture with sub- savannah forest suitable for cattle gazing in the Northern fringes. Vast forest resources, variety of timber species e.g Teak, Gmelina, Masionia e.t.c. Ondo State is the largest producer of Cocoa in Nigeria. Other cash crops grown in the state include rubber, cashew, kolanut, palm oil etc.
Mineral resources Oil and Gas; Ondo State produces 12% of Nigeria’s total output, other mineral resources found in the state are quartz sand, clay, granite, limestone talc, kaoline, coal, columbite, rock, tin, bitumen. ( the second largest deposit in the world ) many rivers, ocean fronts, and the longest coast line in Nigeria.
Tourism sites Idanre hill tourism centre at idanre Mountain Climbing and cultural festival (Mare) that holds every December in idanre. Ebomi lake at Ipesi in Akoko South East Local Government Area, coast creeks and canals, Igb Olodumare at Oke igbo, iho-Eleeru (cave of ashes) at Isarun in Ifedore Local Government Area
System of government Constitutional democracy in a Federal Republic with elected Executive and Legislature and an Independent Judiciary.
