By Elizabeth K. Olorunnipa
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The fast pace of urbanization in most states in Nigeria, most especially Oyo state with particular reference to Ibadan Metropolis has exerted pressure on heritage sites, which constitute a key threat to heritage asset.
Ibadan City’s growth has threatened its rich heritage property endowment. If not adequately controlled and protected, increasing development density could degrade the heritage sites and their growing space, and reduce the heritage site quality and life span. An evaluation of the threat to heritage sites in Ibadan metropolis can enhance long-term survival of the cultural heritage. Out of the over 65 declared National Monuments and sites, Oyo state has no single one on the national register of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments(NCMMM). Therefore there is the need to examine the threats of this area where vacuum existed in Oyo state in reference to Ibadan metropolis the state capital. It discovered that heritage sites in Oyo state be given serious attention it demands in the development process and that the most outstanding heritage sites should be treated as cultural heritage which must be preserved and protected.
Heritage sites in Ibadan metropolis must be developed devoting to preserving their existing urban heritage as well as recognise the role play in economic sustainability by urban population.Background to the Study Heritage property in Nigeria has been playing important roles in the development of the different communities, Ibadan metropolis inclusive which is the focus of this work. Ibadan is located in South – Western Nigeria. It is the capital of Oyo State and reputed to be the largest indigenous city in Africa south of the Sahara.
It is also well-known for it “first” in so many things in Nigeria; such as the first television in Africa, first University in Nigeria, First National Museum of Unity, Nigeria etc. The major inhabitants of the city are the Yoruba. Ibadan came into existence at about 1829 with various location of heritage sites which are non-renewable and priceless. These include social values and traditions, representations, customs and practices, aesthetic and spiritual beliefs, (artistic) expression, language, knowledge, skills and other aspects of human activity that communities, groups and, in some cases, individuals recognize as part of their cultural heritage. Heritage includes practices that are handed down from the past by tradition. This study examined the challenges and threats to the diverse cultural heritage sites in Oyo state focusing on Ibadan metropolis and suggest remedies to these challenges as well as how this heritage sites can be properly managed for posterity that would hold the past, present and future and desire to hand over to future generations. This study plays a forefront role and demonstrate the challenges militating against heritage sites preservation and protection in Ibadan metropolis which has not been adequately addressed. It encourages the public to appreciate the cultural heritage and the need for proper inventory and documentation of these outstanding heritage properties in Ibadan metropolis. It is against this background that this study looks at the general threat of the heritage sites in Ibadan metropolis in which a gap is presently existed. The broad aim of the study is to evaluate and promote the understanding of the challenges/threats to heritage sites in Oyo state with particular reference to Ibadan metropolis, Nigeria with the main objective to examine the challenges and possible remedies of the heritage management in Ibadan metropolis. This will ensure improved management and proper documentation of heritage sites in Ibadan metropolis. The Significance of the study of this nature on the challenges and threats to heritage sites will always remain the foundation of heritage activities and of the material remains will be useful to all sectors of the human endeavour.
It will provide very important task to heritage professionals, librarians, archivists, researchers, cultural resource management, landscape architecture, regional planning and students with training and experience needs in heritage planning and management, and government at different levels in order to ascertain onward transfer of the traditions to unborn generations. Apart from this, it will go a long way to encourage research and publication on the heritage potentials in Ibadan Metropolis and therefore developing an extensive marketing or publicity strategy for the prevention or at least amelioration of threats to the heritage potentials. It will also add not only to knowledge but the literature on Ibadan metropolis.What is Heritage? Heritage embodies tangible and intangible aspects of a people’s cultural inventory.
It comprises those elements held as treasures and legacies from the past experiences, norms, values, beliefs, traditions and ways valorised by people as reflecting their identity and worth, which are inherited from one generation to another. It is both tangible and intangible, in the sense that ideas and memories; of songs, recipes, language, dances, and many other elements of whom we are and how we identify ourselves; are as important as historical buildings and archaeological sites.In the word of Smith (2006, Ashworth, 2008; Graham et al, 2000; Lowenthal, 1998),heritage is described as the “ultimately cultural practice, involved in the construction and regulation of a wide range of values and understandings”. Heritage, therefore, is a product of the present, driven by the needs, tastes, and values of that present, which takes materials of the past, whether they are relics, history or memory, and constructs them for the requirements of an imagined future. Olorunnipa (2009) sees heritage as an integral part of modern life, entire spirit of the people in terms of value, actions, norms, works, beliefs, monuments and sites, archaeological site, which is passed from one generation to another.In this paper, cultural heritage is described as the legacy of physical artifacts and intangible attributes of a group or society ( in this case Ibadan metropolis) that are inherited from past generations, maintained in the present and bestowed for the benefit of future generations which should be protected from any threats to its survival. For this study both direct observation and in-depth interviews were used to collect data on the challenges and threats to heritage sites in Ibadan metropolis, which serves as case study. The study was undertaken within Ibadan metropolis to identify some of the threats to heritage sites.
The data collected were analyzed qualitatively, and finally supported with secondary sources. It is argued that heritage potentials in Ibadan metropolis can promote tourism and conserve genetic heritage, if properly harnessed with the existence of genuine partnership between the developers of tourist resorts, the local communities and state government. Besides, the modern and traditional environmental management practices should be appropriately integrated into the development of heritage sites in the state. Brief Historical Background of Ibadan. Ibadan in this part of the country (Nigeria) constitutes one of the largest cities in Africa and the centre of administration of the old western region as well as the capital of Oyo state that contains rich heritage resources. It is argued that heritage sites, cultural or natural can promote tourism and conserve inherited heritage, if properly harnessed. This paper examines an evaluation of threats/challenges to heritage sites in Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria. Oral tradition has it that the founder of new Ibadan was led by Lagelu,the Jagun (commander –in –chief) of Ife to settle at “Eba odan”, which literally means “between the forest and pains”. The new city then grew and became a commercial city to be reckoned with.Ibadan, a city in a hilly, forested region in southwestern Nigeria, serves as an important and contains significant heritage sites that could be developed to enhance economic and tourism development in Oyo state and Nigeria as a whole. Ibadan with a variety of physical and cultural geography includes a vast array of natural and cultural heritage resources that include both tangible and intangible heritage. Some of the heritage sites and tourist centres in Ibadan are; Liberty Stadium, Lekan Salami stadium, Agodi botanical Garden, Zoo, Mapo Halls, Irefin palace, the National Museum of Unity, Cultural Centre, Ido, Cenotaph, and the Bower’s Tower, David Hinderer’s House, Adebisi Manson, University of Ibadan, as well as many historical sites of great values. However, it is worrisome that these heritage sites among others faced and still facing lot of threats that hindered their proper development and recognition. Its pre-colonial history centered on militarism, imperialism and violence. The military sanctuary expanded even further when refugees began arriving in large numbers from northern Oyo following raids by Fulani warriors. Ibadan grew into an impressive and sprawling urban center so much that by the end of 1829, Ibadan dominated the Yoruba region militarily, politically and economically and of course, no doubt affected the heritage property of Oyo state.
