TOURIST GARDEN; OSUN STATE

OSUN STATE
Date Created: 27 August, 1991
Capital: Oshogbo
Main Towns: Ile-Ife, Oshogbo, Iwo, Ila-Orangun, Ejigbo, Ilesha and Ikirun.

Osun State, known as the state of the living spring occupies a land mass of approximately 8,602 square kilometres carved out of the old Oyo State. The state is bounded on the west by Oyo State, Ondo and Ekiti States in the east, Kwara State in the north and Ogun State in the south.

There are 30 local government areas that make up Osun State. They are: Ayedade, Aiyedere, Atakunmosa, Atakunmosa East, Boripe, Boluwaduro, Ede, Ede North, Egbedore, Ejigbo, Ifedayo, Ife East, Ife Central, Ife North, Ife South, Ifelodun, Ila, Ilesha East, Ilesha west, Irepodun, Irewole, Isokan, Iwo, Obokun, Odo-Otin, ula-Oluwa, Olorunda, Oriade, Orolu and Oshogbo.Agriculture is the traditional occupation of the people of the state.

The main cash crops are cocoa, palm produce while food crops include yam, maize, cassava, millet, plantain and rice. The federal government has indicated its presence in the state through the citing of two major industries namely: Osogbo Steel Rolling Mills and the Nigerian Machine Tools at Osogbo, the state capital. Other industries in the state include the Cocoa Products Industry at Ede and the supreme Oil Industry at Ilesha. Other small and medium industrial ventures are spread over the state.

Osun State apart from being rich in agricultural products is also endowed with a number of mineral resources such as gold, clay, limestones and granite.The state is a repository of Yoruba culture. Ile-Ife, known to be the cradle of the Yoruba race is a very attractive tourist centre. It has the renowned Oranmiyan Staff, the Ife Museum, the Osun shrine and the Olumirin water falls at Erin Ijesha. Others are the Mbari-Mbayo heritage, Idi-Baba Cultural Centre and the Adunni Susan Winges Art Works Centres located at Osogbo. Above all the state is recognized internationally through its colourful annual Osun Osogbo festival.Educationally, the state has reached an advanced level.

It has 1,112 public primary schools and a number of Technical and Grade II Teachers' Colleges. Also Colleges of Education, Polytechnic and a Federal University are also located in the State.The State is also committed to an effective health care delivery system. There are State and General Hospitals, Comprehensive Health Centres, Primary Health Centres, Dispensaries and Maternity Centres. In addition thete are many registered private Health Centres in the state.

Osun state cultural group