By Yinka Akanbi
The Oyo State Government, through its Ministry of Culture and Tourism, has reopened the newly-renovated Captain Bower’s Tower, an historic tourist attraction in Ibadan.
Speaking at the reopening event, Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in the state, Wasiu Olatubosun, showered encomiums on the donor and Jagun Olubadan of Ibadan, Chief Dotun Sanusi, for being a worthy son of Ibadanland, and sustaining one of the heritage of the ancient city.
According to Olatubosun, this is the first time in almost 50 years any renovation has been done on the tower, adding that Sanusi’s contribution towards bringing the site to life cannot be overemphasized.
Sanusi, who has been lauded for his philanthropist gestures, is said to have touched the lives of many residents and Indigenes of Ibadanland and Oyo State in general positively.
The event attracted government officials and traditional rulers and chiefs from all over the state.
Standing at 60 feet tall in Oke Are, Ibadan, the Bower’s tower was designed by Taffy Jones, in 1936. It was put up to honor Captain Robert Lister Bower who was the first British resident in Ibadan. He was appointed by the British government as the traveling commissioner of Yorubaland, southwestern region of Nigeria, between 1893 and 1897.
The historical tower is 60 feet high and 11 feet square with two entrances and about 47 spiral staircase that leads to the top of the tower from where one can get a 360 panoramic view of the town and appreciate its history. The building was nicknamed ‘Layipo’ because of its long spiral staircase which some claim to make them dizzy after climbing. It served as one of the most visited tourist centers in the city of Ibadan.
According to history, the tower was named after Bower in appreciation of his contribution to the development and growth of Yorubaland. From the top of the tower on a clear day, you can see some important landmarks such as the cocoa house, the University College Hospital (UCH), The University of Ibadan, Dugbe market, Agodi gardens, the defunct Lagos/Ibadan toll gate and lots more depending on how good your eyesight is. This historical monument served as a watchtower during the colonial era from where it was very easy to monitor the activities of the town and the neighboring Yoruba towns.
