Important Historical Features and Sites in Southern Nigeria – Basic 4 History Lesson Note (Third Term)

Historical features and sites are old or important places that tell us about the past and show our culture.

Behavioural objectives

1. Define historical features and sites.
2. Name the three types of historical features in Southern Nigeria.
3. Name at least two waterfalls, two mosques and two churches, and say where each is found.
4. Name some palaces, museums and schools that are historical sites.
5. State four reasons why historical sites are important.

What are historical features and sites?

Historical features and sites are special places that are very old, or where important events happened.

• Special places: they are very old and important.
• Buildings or natural places: each one has an interesting story.
• Event places: important events happened there.
• Culture and history: they show how our people lived and believed.
• Visiting places: people visit them to learn about the past.

What are the types of historical features in Southern Nigeria?

There are three types of historical features in Southern Nigeria: natural features, religious buildings and cultural sites.

Natural features

• Waterfalls and rivers: water that flows over rocks or through the land.
• Hills and mountains: high land that people have used for shelter or worship.
• Caves and rocks: natural shelters and places of worship.
• Forests and trees: sacred groves and old trees linked to local stories.

Religious buildings

• Churches: Christian places of worship.
• Mosques: Muslim places of worship.
• Traditional shrines and sacred places: places of worship in traditional religion.

Cultural sites

• Palaces: homes and offices of traditional rulers.
• Museums and cultural centres: places that keep and show old objects.
• Ancient cities and towns: old settlements with a long history.
• Traditional markets: old trading places where communities meet.

What are the important waterfalls?

The important waterfalls in this note are Erin Ijesha, Gurara, Awhum and Sekpe.

Erin Ijesha Waterfalls (Olumirin Falls)

• Location: Osun State (Southwest Nigeria).
• Seven steps: water flows down rocks in seven levels.
• Setting: beautiful forest surroundings.
• Tourism: a popular place for visitors.
• Spiritual meaning: important to the local people.
• Rituals: used for traditional rituals and ceremonies.
• Landmark: a natural landmark for centuries.

Gurara Waterfalls

• Location: Niger State (North Central Nigeria), so it lies outside Southern Nigeria.
• Cascade: water falls in a wide, beautiful flow over rocks.
• Rocks: it has natural rock formations.
• Visitors: popular for picnics and tourism.

Awhum Waterfalls

• Location: Enugu State (Southeast Nigeria).
• Cave and waterfall: the two features are found together.
• Monastery site: a monastery is found at the place.
• Spiritual meaning: important to Christians.

Sekpe Waterfalls

• Location: Cross River State (South-South Nigeria).
• Tiers: the water falls in several levels.
• Forest: it lies in a thick forest.
• Culture: it has traditional cultural importance.

What are the important mosques?

The important mosques in this note are in Lagos Island, Ibadan and across Yorubaland.

Central Mosque, Lagos

• Location: Lagos Island, Lagos State.
• Age: one of the oldest mosques in Lagos.
• Design: beautiful Islamic architecture.
• Learning: a centre of Islamic learning in Lagos.
• Worshippers: serves thousands of worshippers.
• History: shows the early Islamic presence in Lagos.

Shitta-Bey Mosque

• Location: Lagos Island, Lagos State.
• Built: 1892.
• Look: a beautiful white building.
• Name: named after Shitta Bey, an important Muslim leader.

Central Mosque, Ibadan

• Location: Ibadan, Oyo State.
• Size: a large and beautiful mosque.
• Community: serves the big Muslim community in Ibadan.
• Activities: important for Islamic activities.

Ansar-Ud-Deen mosques

• Location: various places in Southwest Nigeria.
• Network: mosques found across Yorubaland.
• Education: centres of Islamic education.
• Meeting places: community gathering places.

What are the important churches?

The important churches in this note were built by Christian missions in Lagos, Benin City, Abeokuta and Badagry.

Cathedral Church of Christ, Lagos

• Location: Lagos Island, Lagos State.
• Built: 1867.
• Denomination: Anglican.
• Landmark: a historic Christian landmark with fine architecture.
• History: a centre of early Christian missionary work.

St. Paul’s Cathedral, Benin City

• Location: Benin City, Edo State.
• Denomination: Anglican.
• Importance: important to Christians in Edo State.

Sacred Heart Cathedral, Lagos

• Location: Lagos State.
• Built: 1930s.
• Denomination: Catholic.
• Importance: important to the Catholic community.

First Baptist Church, Abeokuta

• Location: Abeokuta, Ogun State.
• Built: 1850s.
• Age: one of the early Baptist churches in Nigeria.
• History: a historic missionary site.

Methodist Church, Badagry

• Location: Badagry, Lagos State.
• Built: 1840s.
• Age: one of the early Methodist churches in Nigeria.
• History: a historic missionary location.

Which sites and states should I remember?

This table shows each main site, its state and its kind.

What other historical sites are found in Southern Nigeria?

Other historical sites include palaces, museums, slave trade sites and old schools.

Palaces, museums and traditional sites

• Oba’s Palace, Benin City: an ancient royal palace.
• Alaafin’s Palace, Oyo: a historic Yoruba palace.
• National Museum, Lagos: shows Nigerian history.
• Badagry Slave Route: historic slave trade sites.

Educational sites

• University of Ibadan: the first university in Nigeria.
• CMS Grammar School, Lagos: the first secondary school in Nigeria.
• St. Gregory’s College: a historic school.

Why are historical sites important?

Historical sites are important because they teach us history, show our culture, attract tourists and preserve our heritage.

They teach us history

• Past life: they show how people lived long ago.
• Ancestors: they tell stories of our ancestors.
• Understanding: they help us understand our past.
• Roots: they connect us to our roots.

They show our culture

• Religion: they show different religious traditions.
• Art: they show beautiful architecture and art.
• Diversity: they show the cultural diversity of Nigeria.
• Unity: they bring different groups together.

They attract tourists

• Visitors: people visit from other countries.
• Income: they bring money to local communities.
• Jobs: they create jobs for local people.
• Fame: they make Nigeria known worldwide.

They preserve our heritage

• History: they keep our history alive.
• Protection: they protect old buildings and sites.
• Knowledge: they pass knowledge to future generations.
• Identity: they maintain our cultural identity.

Evaluation

1. What is a historical site? Answer: an old and important place with a story, or where an important event happened.
2. Name the state where each site is found: Erin Ijesha Waterfalls, Awhum Waterfalls, Methodist Church Badagry, St. Paul’s Cathedral Benin City. Answer: Osun, Enugu, Lagos, Edo.
3. Name two mosques and two churches in Southern Nigeria. Answer: for example Shitta-Bey Mosque, Central Mosque Ibadan, Cathedral Church of Christ, First Baptist Church Abeokuta.
4. Fill in the blanks: Historical sites teach us ______, show our ______, attract ______ and preserve our ______. Answer: history, culture, tourists, heritage.
5. True or False: (a) Historical sites help us learn about the past. (b) Waterfalls are only for swimming. Answer: (a) True, (b) False.

Assignment

Choose one historical site from this note. Write its name, its state, two things that make it special and one reason why it is important.