Abeokuta

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Abeokuta

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imagesize = 300px
image_caption = Abeokuta as seen from Olumo Rock.
pushpin_

pushpin_label_position = bottom
pushpin_map_caption = Location in Nigeria
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = flag|Nigeria
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Ogun State
unit_pref = Imperial
population_as_of = 2005
population_total = 593,140
latd=7 |latm=9 |lats=39 |latNS=N
longd=3 |longm=20 |longs=54 |longEW=E

Abeokuta is a city in Ogun State in southwest Nigeria and is situated at coord|display=inline,title|7|9|39|N|3|20|54|E|region:NG_type:city(500000), on the Ogun River; 64 miles north of Lagos by railway, or 81 miles by water. As of 2005, Abeokuta and the surrounding area had a population of 593,140.

Geography and agriculture

Abẹokuta lies in fertile country, the surface of which is broken by masses of grey granite. It is spread over an extensive area, being surrounded by mud walls 18 miles in extent. Palm-oil, timber, rubber, yams and shea-butter are the chief articles of trade. It lies below the Olumo Rock, home to several caves and shrines.

History

Abeokuta (a word meaning "under the rocks"), dating from 1825, owes its origin to the inroads of the slavehunters from Dahomey and Ibadan, which compelled the village populations scattered over the open country to take refuge in among the rocks surrounding the city. Here they constituted themselves a free confederacy of many distinct groups, each preserving the traditional customs, religious rites and even the very names of their original villages.

The original settlers of Abeokuta were of the Egba ethnicity.Canby, Courtlandt. "The Encyclopedia of Historic Places". (New York: Facts of File Publications, 1984), p. 2.] Later, some Yoruba came to the city. Baptist and Anglican missionaries operated in the area in the 19th century.

In 1851 and 1864, the forces of Abẹokuta defeated Dahomean slave raiders.

In 1893, the Egba United Government based in Abẹokuta was recognized by the United Kingdom. In 1914, the city was made part of the colony of Nigeria by the British.

Notable natives

The city is the birthplace of several famous Nigerians, including:
* Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, politician.
* Peter Akinola, Anglican archbishop.
* Dotun Ransome Kuti, teacher and clergyman.
* Fela Kuti, musician and singer.
* Olusegun Obasanjo, President of Nigeria from 1999 to 2007.
* Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, women's rights activist.
* Peter Olakeinde Sogbesan, civil servant.
* Tai Solarin, educator and author.
* Wole Soyinka, Nobel Prize-winning author.
* Ladapo Samuel Ademola, Alake of Abeokuta.
* Olikoye Ransome Kuti, Professor of pediatrics, Former Minister of Health

References

*1911