Mapo Hall a monument in every sense which continues to be the pride of not only the people of Ibadan but the whole of the west. This imposing edifice sits on a hill with a view of the surrounding hills with brown roofs.
Like all monuments of this kind, there is important history embedded in the walls of this building whose foundation stone was laid about a century ago , on July 1925 by Captain W.A Ross who was the colonial administrator for Oyo province from 1914-1931. On completion, the hall was quick to become a symbol of power and greatness because it became the sit of power of the then capital of the western region although it was then known as Ibadan City Hall. It is on record that Mapo Hall as it is known today ,was the venue of the first legislative meeting that took place in Nigeria, that was in 1950. The special thing about this monument , apart from its history is the unique architectural design. Its location on top of the hill gives it an impressive and imposing bearing even from some distance just like a gentle, wise old king looking over his subjects.
As you gain entrance into the premises you immediately feel the energy ,in the place knowing that some important personalities in history have at one time marched on these same grounds and that so many historical events have also taken place on this ground. As one of the first administrative centers in Africa, it stands as a reminder of the colonial era and what that era represented in the history of the West in particular and Nigeria as a nation in general.
One of the most special features of this elegant building is the gigantic pillars, thirty huge ones giving the building a look maybe fashioned a bit after the Roman or Greek auditoriums of the ancient times
Standing upstairs looking down at the main hall down with the Nigerian coat of arms standing proudly at the end of the hall, one could almost hear the voices of people, pronouncements and arguments coming from people and events that have taken place in this great hall…