BROCHURE ON CULTURE / NATURE OF NIGERIA

A GUIDE FOR TRAVELLERS /TOURISTS

INTRODUCTION

Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising thirty-six states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the West, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in the north. Its coast in the south lies on the Gulf of Guinea on the Atlantic Ocean. The three largest and most influential ethnic groups in Nigeria are the Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba. In terms of religion Nigeria is roughly split half and half between Muslims and Christians with a very small minority who practice traditional religion.

The people of Nigeria have an extensive history. Archaeological evidence shows that human habitation of the area dates back to at least 9000 BC. The area around the Benue and Cross River is thought to be the original homeland of the Bantu migrants who spread across most of central and southern Africa in waves between the 1st millennium BC and the 2^nd millennium.

The name Nigeria was taken from the Niger River running through the country. This name was coined by Flora Shaw, the wife of Lord Lugard, a British colonial administrator, in the late 19th century.

Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa, the eighth most populous country in the world, and the majority of the population is black. It is listed among the "Next Eleven" economies, and is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. Nigeria is the largest exporter of oil in Africa and is a regional power that is also the hegemony in West Africa.

According to current data, one out of every four Africans is Nigerian. And even conservative estimates conclude that more than 20% of the world's black population lives in Nigeria. 2006 estimates claim 42% of the population is between 0 -14 years of age, while 54.6% is between 15-65; the birth rate is significantly higher than the death rate; at 40.4 and 16.9 per 1000 people respectively.

The number of languages currently estimated and catalogued in Nigeria is 521. This number includes 510 living languages, two second languages without native speakers and nine extinct languages. In some areas of Nigeria, ethnic groups speak more than one language. The official chosen to facilitate the cultural and linguistic unity of the country. The choice of English as the official language was partially related to the fact that a part of the Nigerian population spoke English as a result of British colonization that ended in 1960.

The major languages spoken in Nigeria represent three major families of African languages — the majority are Niger-Congo languages, such as Yoruba_labo, the Hausa language is Afro-Asiatic; and Kanuri, spoken in the northeast, primarily Borno State, is a member of the Nilo-Saharan family. Even though most ethnic groups prefer to communicate in their own languages, English, being the official language, is widely used for education, business transactions and for official purposes. English as a first language, however, remains an exclusive preserve of a small minority of the country's urban elite, and it is not spoken at all in some rural areas. With the majority of Nigeria's populace in the rural areas, the major languages of communication in the country remain indigenous languages.

NIGERIA'S APPEAL TO TOURISTS

Nigeria offers a wide variety of tourist attractions such as extended and roomy river and ocean beaches ideal for swimming and other water sports, unique wildlife, vast tracts of unspoiled nature ranging from tropical forest, magnificent waterfalls, new rapidly growing cities and highland resorts that are particularly conducive to holidaying. Major attractions to tourists are the cultural and  traditional ways of life preserved in local custom; rich and varied handicrafts and other colourful authentic unsophisticated but friendly attitude of many Nigerian population. However, many of these attractions are still largely untapped and even at their raw states, they are still being enjoyed by few outsiders, either the very rich visitors in quest of exoticism or adventurous people in search of new challenges and experiences. The lack of required modern infrastructural facilities and in some parts of the country acute conditions of underdevelopment and poverty can be seen which many potential Nigeria bound tourists may not like to be confronted with. These are impediments to tourism, which the new administration has been tackling since assumption of office. Investors, both foreign and local are therefore called upon to come and invest in the abundant tourism potentials in the country. The richness and diversity of Nigeria's tourism resources coupled with economic liberalization policies have generated investment opportunities in various areas as follows:

YANKARI GAME RESERVE

The Yankari National Park is the premier game reserve in Nigeria. Yankari Park and Wikki Warm Springs are located around the Gagi River, approximately less 2 hours drive by road, southeast of Bauchi Town. The beauty and size of the Yankari Game Reserve make it the most popular reserve in Nigeria. Set up in 1956 and opened to the public in 1962, the main game-viewing areas of the reserve are open all year-round. Japanese, Western Europeans, Americans and Southeast Asian tourists visit this part in abundance. The reserve covers 2,058sq.km of Savanna woodland and is well-stocked with elephants, baboons, waterbucks, bushbucks, oribi, crocodile, hippopotamus, roan antelope, buffalo and various types of monkeys. Lions are occasionally spotted as well, despite their natural camouflage. The best time to visit is between November and May, when tourists are likely to see more game since the dense vegetation has dried out and the animals congregate around the dried-up river waterholes.

The Wikki Warm Springs is one of the best features of the game reserves. Flood-lit at night, it is wonderful after a hot day's game-viewing to relax in the warm water. The spring gushes out from under a cliff, where the water is at least 6 ft. deep, with a bathing area that extends for 600ft. to an open area. The park is inhabited by a variety of birds, including the huge saddlebill stork, goliath heron, bateleur eagle, vultures, kingfishers, bee-eaters and more. It is excellent for serious bird-watchers.

Other facilities include: Tennis courts, squash courts, a small museum in the reception area plus gas stations with convenience stores at Wikki Camp and Bauchi.

Reservations: It is advisable to make reservation during the holidays and weekends with Easter a particularly busy season. Reservations can be made at key Hotels in Abuja, Kaduna, Bauchi Liaison office in Lagos and at the Zaranda Hotel in Bauchi.

Route: You can travel by road from Lagos to Abuja, where you make an overnight stop, then on to Jos and Bauchi, as it is a 2 day journey by car over well-maintained roads.

Hotels: Basic accommodations are available in first class chalets or rondavels. Also available are suites, double rooms and family chalets that include small kitchens.

There are many other National Parks besides Yankari. Notable ones include Mambilla, Gumti National Park, Cross River National Park, and Kainji Lake National Park.

MAMBILLA PLATEAU

The Mambilla Plateau in the northeast of Nigeria and located in the southeast corner of Taraba State, shares a border with Cameroon. A highland grassland plateau averaging about 1800 meters, it is scenic, cool and a pleasant change from the heat and humidity of Lagos. Because the roads are still under construction, a sport utility vehicle or jeep is recommended and visitors should pack essentials, camping equipment and food. As an option, there are a few standard  hotels on the plateau.

The Park provides an attractive setting, well worth a visit. Mambilla has cattle ranches, tea plantations and rolling, grassy hills. It is different from the rest of Nigeria with regard to flora and fauna and is home to some rare species of birds and animals, especially at the Gashaka-Gumti National Park.

Route: There is a major road to Mambilla from Lagos, Benin City, Onitsha, Enugu, Otukpo, Yandev, Katsina Ala, Wukari, Mutum Biyu, Serti and Gembu. You can also fly into Yola Airport, then drive a few miles south to Mambilla.-

GASHAKA-GUMTI NATIONAL PARK

This is a vast land of spectacular wilderness (6,000sq.km) in the southeast corner of Taraba State, adjoining the Mambilla Plateau. Mostly mountainous, from 457 to 2407 meters, it contains Nigeria's highest mountain, Chapal Waddi (2409m). It is the most ecologically diverse conservation area in the country and contains swaths of guinea savanna, gallery forest, moist forest, mountain forest and grassland. Many rives flow through the park, including the Taraba, a major tributary of the River Benue. A wide variety of animal wildlife can be found, including buffalo, roan antelope, chimpanzee, colobus monkey, hippopotamus, hyena, giant forest hog, lion and leopard. The park is a birdwatcher's paradise with a wide variety of species.

CROSS RIVER NATIONAL PARK

The Cross River National Park was created from two existing forest reserves of Bashi-Okwango and Oban Forest Reserves. It is famous for its unique rain forest vegetation which, according to conservation experts, is some of the richest in Africa. This park contains the last remaining rain forest in Nigeria, which is being preserved with the help of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation. It has a herd of forest elephants, the white-faced monkey (indigenous to Nigeria only), buffalo, leopards and lowland gorillas, besides over a thousand other animal species.

The park has a tropical climate characterized by a rainy season between April and October and dry season between November and April. The moist green vegetation cover makes the forest an excellent place to see birds and butterflies.

THE KAINJI NATIONAL PARK

This Park, in Kwara State, was established in 1979 and incorporates the Borgu Game Reserve and Sugurma Game Reserve to the southeast in Niger State. The Bourgu sector of the park alone covers an area of about of 3,929sq.km of savanna woodland, and Zugurma cover an area of about 1,370sq.km. The Kainji National Park also contains the Kainji Dam, an artificial lake which covers the town of Old Bussa. Here Mungo Park, the British explorer, was said to have come to grief in 1805. Now the lake hides the scene of the accident. The lake is 136 km long and tours of the dam are available on request from the Nigerian National Power Holding Company. Boat trips on the lake can be arranged by the Borgu Game Reserve office at Wawa.

LEKKI BEACH

There are several beaches along the Lekki Peninsula, the foremost being Lekki Beach, located a few miles from the city center. Lekki Beach is another of Lagos' attractive beaches and remain popular with foreign tourists. Beach shelters made of palm fronds and umbrellas, available for rent, keep the sun at bay, as well as provide a place to enjoy snacks or refreshments sold by local traders.

THE OBUDU RANCH

The Obudu Ranch is a popular holiday destination for adventurous tourists wishing to explore the remote corners of Nigeria. Situated in the northeast corner of Cross River State, only 45 miles from the Cameroon border, a tourist can enjoy the countryside of both Nigeria and Cameroon at the same time.

The Obudu Plateau is spread over an area of 40 sq. miles and is free of mosquitoes. The landscape is spectacular, with rolling grasslands, deep-wooded valleys and waterfalls. It is best to visit Obudu in the dry season since during the rainy season much of the ranch may be covered in mist and low clouds and there are thunderstorms. Between December and February, the harmattan is heavy; therefore, the best times for a visit are the end of October to December and March to May before the rainy season.

Attractions:

Gorilla Camp, 13 km from the hotel area, is accessible either by vehicle or on foot, where one can take a long, picturesque walk to the camp, and observe gorillas in their natural habitat. Guests may also ride horses or embark on hiking trips into the wild (comfortable shoes and a guide are recommended). Birdwatching here is unparalleled and there is a pleasant shaded natural swimming pool near the Ranch House. If visitors accept the challenge of a three-hour hike, they'll be rewarded with a stop at the waterfall, nestled amid captivating scenery. In spite of the altitude, it can get quite hot in the day, with five sunshine hours in the dry season (Oct-April) and roughly two during rainy season (July to Aug.). Other activities include: golf, badminton, lawn tennis, squash and horseback riding. The latest attraction at the Obudu Ranch is a cable-car (similar to modern facilities found anywhere around the world) that runs from the foot of the hill to the top, easing transportation and providing spectacular sceneries.

Accommodations:

The Ranch Hotel maintains 33 chalets and boasts a friendly staff, superb restaurant and bar, and laundry/dry cleaning services. Chalets provide exquisites comfort with a large sitting room, color RV, VCR, cocktail bar. kitchen & spacious bedroom with double beds. The Ranch Hotel operates 24 hours during peak periods, September — December. Booking can be made through The Ranch addresst, P.O.Box 87, Obudu, Cross River State, Nigeria.

Route:

The sights are spectacular on the drive east, through rolling mountains and the dense forest trees are so high their branches form a canopy, shading out the sun entirely. This phenomenon has led to the area being called "Nigeria's Amazon," and is not to be missed. However, should one prefer to fly, they can do so from any major city to Calabar then proceed by car over the five-hour route via Ikom.

OSUN FESTIVAL

Osun was one of the wives of Sango, the god of Thunder and ancient king of Oyo. She is widely worshipped in Yorubaland, particularly in the countryside through which the river Osun flows. The water of Osun is said to have the power of making barren women fertile. Her most important sanctuaries are in Oshogbo, which is where the chief priest performs rites and rituals.

KANO DYE PITS

The Kano indigo-vegetable dye pits are one of the most fascinating aspects of this old city. Various designs are folded into the material before dying, and the fabric is often beaten to achieve the shiny, iridescent appearance. The techniques employed to obtain this look are unmatched around the world. And although the methods they use are ancient, these lush works of art on fabric remain extremely popular and continue to be in great demand.

SOME OF THE SELECTED STATE IN NIGERIA WITH TOURISM POTENTIALS

ABIA

Features:

•     National War Museum: displays relics of the Nigerian civil war and local inventions.

•     Aba: foremost electronics and indigenous technology

•     Akwette: Blue River Tourist Village

•     Uwana Beach Akwette: Famous for its unique weaving industry

•     Aba Centra Market

•     Arochukwu Shrine (The long Juju voodoo worshiping)

ADAMAWA

•     Three Sisters Hill: Three monolithic volcanic hill outcrops that uniquely stand side by side, offering a picturesque postcard feature near the town of Song.

•     Sukur, the Ancient mountain kingdom, a world heritage site of UNESCO is located close to Madagali town, is claimed to be one of the ancestral homes of the Kamwe and Margi as well as the Mandara people. It is the site of one of the greatest mining and iron producing area in West Africa in the 15^th Century. Its name suggests it was derived from the Afro-Asiatic word Suk meaning market.

•     WAZA game reserve and mountain resort is one of the most modern in west Africa and covers much of Northern Cameroon and part of Madagali and Michika Local Government Areas. The highest monolithic volcanic outcrop in the Mandara mountains known as Tchirgwe could be sighted some hundreds of kilometres away and spots a modern campsite on the Cameroon side of the park with modern hotel facilities such as the French chain of Novotel. The Kamwes relish tales of the Tchirgue being derived from their Ethiopian ancestral homeland of Tchilga, an ancient town in the Siemian highland of Ethiopia in today’s Amhara region of the country.

AKWA IBOM

Features:

•     Ibeno: famous for yachting and swimming

•     Oron Museum: collection of fine African carvings

•     Opobo Boatyard: Natural sand beaches at Ikot Absi

ANAMBRA:

Features:

•     Anambra State is historically known for great craftsmanship

•     Ijele masquerade from Aguleri

•     Omaba festival

•     Yearly yam festival

•     Odinani Museum at Nir said to be the ancient homeland of the Igbo race,

•     The River Niger with the famous Niger bridge links the bustling commercial town of Onitsha with ports at Port Harcourt, Burutu and Warri in Delta State

•     Ofala festival, celebrated by Igbo kings to usher in the new harvest season.

•     Rogeny Tourist Village at Oba (a stadium that is equipped with recreational activities including a swimming pool, zoo, shrine, soccer stadium, etc)

BAUCHI

•     The famous Yankari reserve also features the Wikki Lame Burra game reserve (with warm springs)

•     Tomb of first Prime Minister of Nigeria (Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa) is located in the heart of the state capital.

•     Yankari game reserve, which has a huge range of Agrican animals to see.

BAYELSA

•     Scenic view of the lagoons created by the river Niger as it dumps its great waters into the Atlantic Ocean. This landscape also spots the myriad of burning flares from the oil field that dot the Niger Delta.

BORNO

•     Kyarimi Park: sightseeing for animal and bird lovers

•     Shehu of Borno's Palace, a major historic site of the Elkenami Empire (Kamem Borno).

•     Lake Chad

•     Sambisa Game Reserve, famous for its unfortunate housing of the base of the Boko Haram invaders.

•     Fishing festival in  Gahsua

•     Ngeji Warm Springs • Leather tanning and ornamental leather work

CROSS RIVER

•     Obudu Cattle Ranch

•     Agbokin Falls

•     Kwa Falls

•     Game Reserve at Okwangwo in Obudu Local Government

•      Boshi Game Reserve

•     Mary Slessor Cottage

•     National Museum

DELTA

•     Sandy beaches of Asaba Koko Port Ajagbododu

•     Olu's Palace

•     ATP Timber and Plywood Factory

•     Itsekiri Juju Festival

•     Okere Juju Festival

•     Agloasa Juju Festival 

EDO

•     Royal Palace of Benin(A treasure of the famous acient Benin kindom)

•     Benin Museum

•     Benin Moat

•     Emotan Statue

•     Smorika Hills

EKITI

Features:

•     Ekogosi Warm Spring,

•     Olosunta and Orole Hills of Ikere

•     The Erinta Water Falls

•     Ero Water Dam

•     Ewi of Ado’s Place, Ado Ekiti

•     Ikogosi warm springs: a natural formation of warm and cold waters, rolling down over a hilly landscape and at the end forms a continuous stream

•     Idanre Hills

•     lgbokodo water front

•     Ipole-Iloro Waterfalls

•     Oke Marie Hills at Oka-Akoko

•     Ebomi Lake at Epinmi-Akoko

•     Aiyetoro Holy Apostle Community

•     Olumirin Waterfalls

•      

IMO

•     Oguta Lake Holiday resort with its sand beaches

•     Rolling hills of Okigwe

•     Owerri Amusement park

•     Nekede Botanical and Zoological Gardens

•     Palm Beach Tourist Village at Awomama

•     Afikpo: famous for it's pottery and mask making

•     Akwete Textile Center in Akwete

JIGAWA

•     Birnin Kudu Rock Paintings: one of the oldest rock paintings in Nigeria

•     Hadeija/Nguru wetland, destination for great European migrating birds and enjoys sponsorship from philanthropic European princes.

KADUNA

•     Nok culture site at Kwotin Jema local government area

•     Kufena Hill in Zaria Legendary Lord Lugard Bridge in Kaduna town Durbar Hotel and Hamdala Hotel in Kaduna

•     Mait Sirga Falls in Kafanchan

•     Palace of the Emir of Zaria

•     The mysterious German Fort Castle at Kajuru.

KANO

•     Emir's palace

•     Baturiya Birds Estuary

•     Kano Zoological Garden at Gankum Albaba

•     Kurmi Market

•     Kazaure Rock Ranges

•     Famous Tiga Dam (and Bagauda Lake Hotel)

•     Folgore Games Reserve

•     Ayanduwa fishing festival

•     Ancient city walls and gates, first built about 900 years ago

•     Gidan Makaman Museum

•     Kofar Mata Dyeing pits (believed to be the oldest in Africa)

ABUJA

•     NiconTranscop Hilton Hotel

•     Zuma Rock.

•     The Three Arms Zone housing the Nigerian Estblishment.

•     The scenic views of the garden city of Abuja laid around several hills and their green valley that has given it the role of the Conference Centre of Africa.

BENUE:

•     Scenic view of the confluence of the rivers Niger and Benue

•     Ushango Hills

•     Enemebia Falls

•     Kwaghir theatrical display

•     Ingongh Dance

•     Pleasant river beaches

RIVERS

•     Isaac Boro Park: a zoo with a wide variety of animals

•     Nigeria's first petroleum refinery at Elesa Elema

•     Water Glass Boatyard

•     Isaka Holiday Cruise Island

•     Oil well at Oloibiri

•     Riverine town of Bonny with the beautiful Finima Beach

•     Monument of King Jaia of Opobo

•     Relics of Akassa raid of 1859 Slave transit hall at Akassa

•     Ogidi Shrine at Nembe

•     Onne port

•     Masquerade display at Abonema

TARABA

•     Mambilla Plateau and the Gashaka-Gumti National Parks,

•     Gashaka-Gumpti Widlife Trails and forest cabins,

•     Kashimbilla  Game Reserves

YOBE

Features:

•     The Dufuna Canoe (Africa’s oldest known boat) about 8,000 years old.

•     Hadejia-Nguu Wetland, a destination for migrating europian birds for wintering.

•     The Damaturu Monument

ENUGU

•     Miliken Hill

•     Nike Lake

•     Iva Valley Coal Mines

SOKOTO

•     Museum

•     Emir's palace

•     Gibadi rocks: has ancient fossils

•     Tomb of Usman Dan Fodio

OSUN

•     Osun Shrine at Oshogbo (which also houses some decoded calabashes)

•     Opa Oranmiyan at Ile-Ife

•     Palace of Owa Obokun in Ilesha

•     Ife city walls at Ile-Ife

•     Ooni of Ife's place at Ile-Ife (A heritage of Yoruba culture)

•     Osun festival: a week-or-more-long festival mainly in honor of the ancient gods.

•     Ife museum: has many bronze and terracotta sculptures dating back to the 13th century.

•     Erin-Ijesa waterfalls.

0Y0

•     Ibadan University Zoo

•     Agodi Zoological garden

•     Upper Ogun Games Reserve

•     Mbari Arts Center

•     Egungun festival

•     Ode-lbadan festival

•     International Institute of Tropical Agriculture

PLATEAU

•     National Museum of Jos: The oldest in the country

•     Museum of Traditional Nigerian Architecture: contains various architectural designs of major Nigerian ethnic groups

•     Jos Wildlife Safari Park

•     Zoological gardens

•     Assop falls

•     Kura falls

•     Wase Rock

•     Kerang Volcanic Mountain: where the Swan brand spring water is produced

•     Shere hills

•     Riyom Rock

•     LAGOS

·        Seaside attractions and resorts at Bar Beach, Victoria Island

·        Badagry: the first missionary post and houses the first two-storey building in the country

·        Lekki Conservation Centre

·        National Museum: which houses important relics such as the traditional Benin Bronzes and the replica of the Festac '77 symbol

·        Didi Museum

·        Tarkwa Bay Beach

·        National Theater, Iganmu, Lagos

·        Jankara Market ar‘

·        Eyo Masquerad cultural festival: held to celebrite memorable occasions or the death of an important person

·        Murtala Muhammed Memorial Botanical Garden

NIGER:

·        Gurara falls in Boru Village: dramatic rock gorges with a scenic, sloping landscape with high rising sprays of water running down on them from different directions.

·        Zugurma park

·        Shiroro Hydroelectric dam

·        Mungo Park's Cenotaph

·        Bida town: noted for its handicrafts made from beer bottles and coloured glass jars

·        Kainji Lake and National Games Park, with a wide variety of animals to see.

OGUN

·        Oba's Palace at Ake:

·        Built in 1854 as the official residence of the Alake, the traditional ruler of Ebaland

·        Famous for its heavy concentration of antiquities and relics

·        Centenary hall at Abeokuta

·        Birikisu Sungbo Shrine in Ijebu-Ode

·        Olumo Rock

·        Isara-Remo: a natural holiday resort

·        Agemo festival

·        Obinrin Ojowu festival

·        Egungun festival

·        Oro festival

·        Igunnuko Masquerades

ONDO

·        National Museum at Owo: has many wood and ivory carvings, brass and bronze works, etc

KATSINA

·        Wall surrounding Katsina, 900 years old with seven different gates

·        Emir's palace

·        Kusugu well in Daura

KEBBI

·        Argungu Fishing and Cultural Festival: a major week-long international event including.

·        Art and craft exhibits

·        Cultural dances and music

·        Agricultural fair

·        Local drama

·        Traditional boxing and wrestling

·        Archery competition

·        Racing events: bicycle races, donkey races, boat races

·        Motor rally

·        Kabanci display: series of water events during the festival, including canoe races, swimming, long deep diving competitions, bare hand fishing, wild-duck hunting

·        Grand finale fishing show

·        Kanta Museum in Argungu

KOGI

·        Old buildings used by the Royal Niger company when it had a royal charter over Nigeria

·        Iron of Liberty: In the compound of the first primary school in Northern Nigeria

·        Confluence of Rivers Niger and Benue at Lokoja

·        Borgu Game Reserve

·        Ekuechi Festival of the Ebirras

KWARA

·        Esie Museum of stone figures

·        Kainji dam

·        Jebba dam

·        Mungo Park Monument

·        OWU water falls (in village called Owa-Kajola in Ifelodun)

BY : THOMAS GOJI