An archaeological and touristic feature, a long potsherd pavement, has been unearthed at the palace of the Onimesi of Imesi-Ekiti, Gboyin Local Government of Ekiti State.
The Onimesi, Oba Adetunji Olatunde, who exposed this historical and transgenerational heritage asset during the visit of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Ekiti State on Tourism Development, Ambassador Wale Ojo-Lanre, to his palace today, said that the potsherd pavement has a trail not only in the place but also in another part of town.
Ambassador Ojo-Lanre, who said he was in Imesi Ekiti in furtherance of the assignment on profiling the historical and cultural heritage of tourism significance in Ekiti State, was elated when Oba Olatunde conducted him round the palace and unveiled the potsherd pavement, which he said dated back hundreds of years.
Ojo-Lanre said those potsherd pavements are evidence of age-long civilisation associated with the ancestral towns of historical significance, adding that with the assistance of archaeologists, there could be more revelations on the Imesi potsherd pavements.
Oba Olatunde disclosed that “Imesi town is an ancient town of rich and glorious past. An old kingdom that has given birth to many towns in Yoruba land. Apart from this potsherd pavement, Imesi also harbours many heritage and touristic assets like Iseku stream, which is of medicinal value and the traditional healing water of great potency, and a cave which harboured our forefathers during the war.”
He revealed that “I am a product of a rich cultural pedigree. I understand the value which the enhancement of tradition, arts, culture and tourism could bring to a town. That is the main reason we are branding Imesi as a cultural tourism town of immense proportions. You see that our Imesi Museum of Royal Antiquities, which is the first in the state, is 95 per cent completed and will be inaugurated during the first-year coronation ceremony slated for June 12 – 17. And within the time. Imesi will host the first Royal Arts exhibition in Ekiti State.”
