The Allure of Ebomi Lake

Published- Weekend Hope, 13th March, 2004. p.20

Situated in the pristine forests of Ipesi-Akoko enclave, are the marvellous waters of Ebomi Lake, flowing gracefully below the dense canopies of verdant forests.
The lake, located at Ipesi-Akoko, is also known as ”the bottomless lake” because of its depth which is difficult to estimate. It stretches though a distance of about 2km and is about 45m wide, with thisck forest canopies subtly camouflaging its steep banks.
According to oral history, the people of Ipesi Akoko met Ebomi Lake at Ipesi and because they couldn’t find the appriopriate words to describe their curiosity about the features of the lake, they decided to call the strangely wide body of water ”Abami’, which literally means ‘mysterious’. This name, with time changed to ”Ebomi” which is the name it is being called to this day.
The lake, according to the inhabitants of Ipesi Akoko, has supernatural powers for protecting the villagers during the times of war. The lake is believed to have unseen soulders that fight battles for the Ipesi people. In another dimension, the lake deities give the villagers different gifts such as children, fishes, fowls etc.

Thr trip to this haven of natural bliss, takes one through about two-hour journey from Akure, the state capital, through Akoko

enclaves to the sleepy town of Ipesi Akoko.
As one branches off the tarred main road of the town into a byway leading down to the lake, a beady-eyed tourist will be quick to notice the rapid change of the surrounding vegetation from a guinea savannah-type vegetation into that of thick and heavy forest canopies. A visitor to the lake is also easily captivated by white beach sands naturally deposited along the narrow road to the lake.

Coasting down the slope also reveals magnificent panoramas of lush green hills at the far ends of the lake, rising

magestically and bedecked by picturesque skylines especially at sunset. Beautiful wildlife around the lake which includes antelopes, mischievous squirrels, variety of birds and fishes etc. all give the photographer and nature-loving tourist an unlimited scope to savour.

At the lakeside, the cool and sating ambience emancipates the sweltering traveller as all worries and sorrows of the busy world seem to disappear, and are replaced with outlandish peace mixed with deep appreciation for the wonderous works of nature at Ebomi Lake. Its waters are cool, deep and enchanting, igniting in every visitor a fire of vigour and enthusiasm. They flow with grace and ease as they gently ruumble against small rock outcrops protruding out from the depths.
Presently, this natural haven of beauty is still under serious neglection to rot as there no facilities put in place to cater for tourists except an isolated, small bungalow built bythe state government near the banks of the lake. The function of this solitary building structure is absolutely uncertain. It is probably one of the many political gimmicks of the state govenment to claim that they are developing tourism in the state. This is highly disturbing. The road to the lake is narrow and pothole-ridden. This potential ‘money-making’ machine deserves no such treatment from the people to whom it has been given.

With good face-lifting and effective packaging, Ebomi lake has the potential of becoming one of the hotest tourist resorts in Africa. With the installment if such facilities as good access roads, tourist chalets, wildlife zoos, water-sport and boating facilities etc. the harnessing of its economic advantages can easily be jump-started.
A single experience of the great ambience of recreation and relaxation the lake has to offer, will keep the visitor coming back for more.

 

Directions to Ebomi Lake:
Akure » Owo » Akungba-Akoko » Oka-Akoko » Ishua-Akoko »Ipesi-Akoko

Lagos » Ibadan » Ilesha » Akure » Owo » Akungba-Akoko » Oka-Akoko » Ishua-Akoko »Ipesi-Akoko

Abuja » Lokoja » Okenne » » Ishua-Akoko »Ipesi-Akoko

 

Ebomi Lake, Ondo State, Tourism