The Custodian of the deity of the popular Olumo Rock in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, Chief Mrs. Sinatu Aduke Sanni, popularly known as ‘Iya Olumo’ is dead.
TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports Sanni, who was also known as ‘The Mother goddess’ of the tourist centre, reportedly died on Wednesday, at the age of 137 years.
Her son, Solomon Adio, who confirmed her death, said his mother died at her Itoko residence in Abeokuta after a brief illness.
According to history, Olumo Rock is a mountain used as a natural fortress during an inter-tribal war many years ago, after the Egbas 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. Olumo rock is located in Abeokuta is a classic that 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, Sanni 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.
“Mama will be 138 years old by August 5. She died after a brief illness.
“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 said.
Olumo Rock stands at a height of 137metres above sea level which is almost half the height of the Eiffel Tower, Paris which stands at 300metres. Also, the height of Olumo Rock cannot be compared to Zuma Rock in the state capital, Abuja which stands at 725metres above sea level.
One of the attractive things about Olumo Rock, however, is the fact that it is easy to climb. Olumo Rock had stairs carved into it for easy climbing. Those who do not wish to go through climbing through the rocks can use staircases or elevators to reach the summit.