Mapo Hall: A perfect reflection of colonial days in Ibadan
AUSTIN EROMOSELE
Mapo Hall: A perfect reflection of the colonial days in Ibadan
Austin Eromosele
The Mapo Hall is attractively located on the Mapo hill, with its beauty and splendor, which was perfectly and stylishly designed for that purpose. The hall can virtually be seen from different angles of the city, making it a center of attraction.
Designed by Engineer Robert Taffy Jones in 1925, this building still maintains its perfect condition from the colonial days. The location itself is another contribution to its attractiveness, maintaining its glory at the center of the metropolitan city of Ibadan.
Some prominent Ibadan citizens witnessed the construction of this monumental building.Citizens like, Arch S.B.Latunde, Chief Ebada Otiti, Chief Agbaje and Chief Ogunmola and others.
It was designed during the reign of Baale Shittu Aare and has since remained the symbol of authority and unity of the people of Ibadan.
The reason as to why the town hall was constructed was centered on the provision of a central and decent building in form of a hall especially for the Yoruba’s in Ibadan province where they could converge at some point for administrative reasons.
The then Captain W.A. Ross C.M.E, representing the king of England in the Administration of Nigeria, help laid the Foundation stone of the prestigious city hall.
One cannot overlook the contribution of Ibadan people towards the accomplishment of the monumental edifice. It is worthy of mention that the project was implemented through communal efforts which include direct labor, involving people in towns and villages within Ibadan.
Native authorities were actively involved in building the town hall including the present Oyo state and these three notable towns like Ikirun, Gbongan, and Ode-Omu that now fall under Osun state. They were all financially responsible for the great success that was achieved.
Today, though Mapo Hall still maintains its original look, it has has been renovated to have a new look and now it’s mostly used for conferences.
The hall also has a mini-museum displaying the relics of chains that were used to hold tax evaders in those days. Also Inside the hall are pictures of all the past Olubadan, that have reigned till date.
mapo hall
