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GENERAL INFORMATION
Oyo State was created in February 3, 1976 out of the old Western State by the then regime of General Murtala Mohammed.
Located in SOuth West Nigeria, Oyo State covers 28,454 square kilometres. It is bounded in the south by Ogun State and in the north by Kwara State, in the west by the Republic of Benin while in the east it is bounded by Osun State.
The state is homogenous and comprises the Oyos, the Ibadans and the Ibarapas, all belonging to the Yoruba family and speaking the same Yoruba language. People from within and outside the country trade and settle in the state mostly in the urban areas. The capital, Ibadan is reputed to be the largest city in Africa, south of the Sahara.
A prominent landmark in Oyo State is Cocoa House, the first skyscraper built in Africa. The state is also home to NTA Ibadan, the first television station in Africa and Liberty Stadium, Ibadan the first stadium built in Africa. Other major tourist attractions located in the state include: Agodi Botanical Garden, Ado-Awaye Suspended lake, Mapo Hall, University of lbadan Zoological Garden, Ido Cenotaph, Trans-Wonderland Amusement Park, Oke-Ogun National Park, Bowers Tower and the Cultural Centre, Mokola.
ECONOMY
Agriculture is the main occupation of the people of Oyo State. The climate in the state favours the cultivation of crops like maize, yam, cassava, millet, rice, plantains, cocoa, palm produce, cashew etc. There are a number of government farm settlements in Ipapo, Ilora, Eruwa, Ogbomosho, Iresaadu, Ijaiye, Akufo and Lalupon. There is abundance of clay, kaolin and aquamarine.
There are also vast cattle ranches at Saki, Fasola and Ibadan, a dairy farm at Moniya in Ibadan and the state-wide Oyo State Agricultural Development Programme with headquarters at Saki. A number of international and federal agricultural establishment are located in the state.
TOURISM
In the area of tourism, various centres of attraction are located in the state. These include: Agodi Gardens, Ad o-Awaye Suspended lake, Mapo Hall, University of lbadan Zoological Garden, Ido Cenotaph, Trans Amusement Park, Oke-Ogun National Park, Bowers Tower and the Cultural Centre, Mokola.
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