Nigeria, the land of plenty

Kehinde and Taiwo dancing hand in hand Taiwo and Kehinde Olabode Ejiogbe: now and then Drums could be heard in a distance as we approached the open compound of the Ejiogbes. Two slender white-clad silhouettes, those of two Obatala followers, were dancing forward in our direction, sometimes hand in hand, sometimes not, but synchronised at all time. Taiwo and Kehinde Ejiogbe, the stone carver twins of Inisa, Osun state, were now greeting us and welcoming us in an open courtyard where a marquee had been arranged with rows of plastic chairs. Taiwo's simple lines I had met the Ejiogbe Twins about a year ago in Iragbiji and had bought some of their carvings which I still like very much. So it was natural to go and meet them again in their abode. The compound was decorated with the many stones carved by the Twins. Taiwo's works were displayed on the lawn separating the road from the house. Large pieces with an asiatic touch in the simplicity of lines of the carvings. ...

Old Abeokuta, on the way to Olumo rock Abeokuta is a city of historical importance. It is located in Ogun state, about 100km north-east of Lagos, on the river Ogun. It is surrounded by forest and the city is built around a few hills. The Egbas, a yoruba tribe who left Ile Ife westward, settled in Abeokuta because there was a rock dominating the whole area which provided a perfect place to see enemies coming from far and under which one could hide. It is called the Olumo rock. Abeokuta literally means "under the rock" in Yoruba. Abeokuta west and the river Ogun In the 19th century, missionaries established missions. The first church was built in 1846, the cathedral church of Saint Peter. A hospital was also created. The first missionary was Henry Townsend in 1843. Later, the father of Fela Kuti, Canon J. J. Ransome Kuti, was vicar in Abeokuta from 1911 to 1930. Olusegun Obasanjo, former president of Nigeria 1999-2007, also comes from this town. Cathedral church o...