COCOA HOUSE, IBADAN
An iconic 26 storey building with a height of about 105 meters and land area of 1.7 hectares, the first known skyscraper in tropical africa, sit in the heart of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
Sometimes after the independence of Nigeria, agriculture was a major boost for the economy, and Cocoa was the center in the exportation business. Proceedings from cocoa at that time was used to construct this monumental building. On 30th July, 1965, this building then called 'Ile Awon Agbe', meaning the 'farmers' house', (later changed to cocoa house) was comissioned. To beautify it, a water fountain was constructed, I am guessing those who know the building would be amazed! A cocoa tree was also planted, and it stands till date!
THE PLACE AND IT PEOPLE
Today, the compound now have a beautiful Heritage Mall, a cinema and a nite club for night crawlers. It continues to serve as a nucleus to a lot of the commercial hustles of the Ibadan people.
You will agree with me that this iconic building has scores of stories to tell (pun intended)
FOUR THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE COCOA HOUSE
1. Late Chief Obafemi Awolowo conceived the idea.
A 26 storey building would have made little or no sense in the 60s when Obafemi Awolowo proposed it. The Action Group(A.G) under his leadedrship decided to embark on the project, which would turn out to be the tallest building in tropical Africa as at that time. Proceedings available from Cocoa were used, and no Federal Government allocation was used.
2. It is now a commercial center.
While the Heritage Mall stands the busiest during the day, with thousands of people trooping in to shop in places like Shoprite; The Place; PEP; Casa bella; healthplus; and of course relax at the Filmhouse cinema, the kokodome stands the busiest at night, with night crawlers and other gentlemen of the dark, relax and enjoy theirselves. A nite club, a swimming pool and lounge provides atmosphere to relax and catch fun. The building itself now houses offices for major firms and broadcasting outfits, while the last floor is reserved for the Odua museum and Hall of Fame.
3. Who constructed this monument?
The oldest constructed firm in the country, Cappa and D'Alberto, was the company behind this iconic building. This building and civil engineering contractor operating in Nigeria since 1932, and have to their credit, buidings like Mobil house, Victoria Island; Diamond Bank, lekki, Lagos; Bella's Place, Victoria Island.
4. The fire story
It was disaster on January 9th, 1985 when news of the burning flames struck the Ibadan people. Their beautiful building is on fire! The sad news was that the building burnt down. Then in 1988, plans to renovate and reconstruct was in play and in 1992, August 2nd, the Cocoa house was reborn and reopened to the general public.
The story of Cocoa house is one of strength, tenacity and survival!
This is a storey from the city of Ibadan
Intact that building is a very gigantic building,hmmm Papa AWO really tried