Nigeria since independence has increasingly become an urban-oriented society. The most notorious example of urban growth in Nigeria has undoubtedly been Lagos, Nigeria’s most important commercial centre. As at 2006, the population of Lagos State was 17.5 million, (based on the parallel count conducted by the state during the National Census) and with a growth rate of 3.2%, the state in 2012 had a population of well over 21 Million. Everyone in every part of Nigeria simply wants to come to Lagos, therefore the traffic jams keep getting worse, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to have a serene and quiet environment to relax and enjoy life like never before.
A lot of people in any of Nigeria’s urban cities such as Lagos, have exciting jobs and active social lives; however nothing can really replace the unique experiences that some cities outside of Lagos offer. Travelling or taking a vacation outside the urban city where most of us live, and I am not talking about travelling to your village alone, gives us a new perspective about life, especially our personal lives. It can help us change some of our habits or even create new ones. There is the opportunity to open your eyes to how the rest of the country lives; gain insights into some new cultures, discover different values and new interesting ways to get by in life. You also will have the chance to tour exotic and historical places in the town you are visiting, thereby creating some unforgettable memories that could last for a lifetime.
Travelling around the country also provides a sense of adventure and you will discover other activities that are impossible to enjoy in your urban city. You will have the opportunity to eat local delicacies where they are originally from and practice the native tongue on the native dudes and dudettes.
So, let’s check out three destinations or places of interest in Nigeria that you can travel to whenever you decide to give yourself a fun treat.
Calabar:
This city definitely has to be the first on my list; I have been living there for the past 2 years. It has a history that dates as far back as the 15th and 26th centuries. The city is also referred to as “Obio Canaan” in Efik language, meaning; Canaan City. Calabar has a vivid social life and a rich culture that would appeal to any visitor. Most people don’t know that Calabar city once served as the seat of Government of the Niger Coast Protectorate, Southern Protectorate and Oil River Protectorate. It is thus effectively the first Nigerian capital city. The city boasts an International Museum, a Botanical Garden, a Free Trade Zone/Port, an International Airport and Seaport, an integrated sports stadium complex, a cultural centre, a slave history park/museum and several historical and cultural landmarks. The city also has the biggest street carnival in Africa, Carnival Calabar, one of the main attractions of its one month long Calabar festival. You can also visit during Easter holidays when the city hosts its annual jazz festival providing perfect Easter break for lovers of jazz and other related forms of music; featuring three nights of veritable feast of jazz, blues, R ‘n’ B, and neo-soul from an impressive array of international and Nigerian artistes. Night life in Calabar is also second to none and their cuisine will leave you wanting more.
Badagry:
Badagry is a coastal town and local government area in Lagos State, Nigeria. It is situated between Metropolitan Lagos, and the border of Benin Republic at Seme. The city was built on the solid foundations of heritage, and continues to boast its exciting history till this day. Badagry is the cradle of Christianity in Nigeria, is the gateway to education and civilization and boasts of having the first ever storey building in Nigeria. The city was well known for its slave trade; it was one of biggest slave routes in the early 1500s. You can visit sites like Vlekete slave market, the point of no return, and different slave baracoons. There are exciting beaches like Coconut Beach, Suntan Beach, and the good thing is, there are tour guides always ready to take you around and make your stay enjoyable.
Obudu:
Obudu is a hotspot in Nigeria’s tourism. Deep in the tropical rain forest of Cross River State, it presents an area of idyllic tranquility and enchanting scenery. It boasts of the Obudu cattle ranch known presently as the Obudu Mountain Resort situated on the Obudu Plateau close to the Cameroon Border in the north-eastern part of Cross River State of Nigeria. It is about a 30 minutes’ drive from Obudu town and is about a 332 kilometers drive from Calabar, the Cross River State capital.
The hilltop of the ranch is about 11km of winded road from the base and can be accessed by either the cable-car, which offers inspiring and dramatic vistas of green rolling hills, or the road which provides numerous pleasant mountain-area and country-side views. Driving to the resort can be quite exhilarating, especially the last ten kilometers of winding road with its 22 bends, including the famous Devil’s Elbow halfway along.
At the resort, you can trek on the 60KM canopy walkway built in the form of a ladder tree house unhindered, for breathtaking views from an unimaginable height. You can also check out the Golf Course, Waterfall, Cattle Ranch, and all the amazing hotels. The best time to visit Obudu Resort is October to February, when the flowers are in bloom, the sky is clear and the air is cool.
So, if you have some time off, I suggest you take that trip and experience what life has to offer around Nigeria. Don’t wait or tell yourself there will be a better time to go. Take the risk, the opportunity and buy your plane ticket right now and leave. When you come back you won’t be sorry that you left. On the contrary, you will be thinking of your next trip the second you touch down and return to your urban city life.
About the author: Chris Bamidele is a passionate and unapologetic Nigerian, who believes in God and humanity. He is a writer, blogger, and an aspiring Television Director; and an optimist to the core. He blogs at www.chrisbamidele.wordpress.com and tweets @Chrisbamidele. He currently lives in Lagos.
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This article was first published on 14th October 2014
chris-bamidele
Chris Bamidele is a passionate and unapologetic Nigerian, who believes in God and humanity. He is a writer, blogger, and an aspiring Television Director; and an optimist to the core. He blogs at www.chrisbamidele.wordpress.com and tweets @Chrisbamidele.
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Nigeria since independence has increasingly become an urban-oriented society. The most notorious example of urban growth in Nigeria has undoubtedly been Lagos, Nigeria’s most important commercial centre. As at 2006, the population of Lagos State was 17.5 million, (based on the parallel count conducted by the state during the National Census) and with a growth rate of 3.2%, the state in 2012 had a population of well over 21 Million. Everyone in every part of Nigeria simply wants to come to Lagos, therefore the traffic jams keep getting worse, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to have a serene and quiet environment to relax and enjoy life like never before.
A lot of people in any of Nigeria’s urban cities such as Lagos, have exciting jobs and active social lives; however nothing can really replace the unique experiences that some cities outside of Lagos offer. Travelling or taking a vacation outside the urban city where most of us live, and I am not talking about travelling to your village alone, gives us a new perspective about life, especially our personal lives. It can help us change some of our habits or even create new ones. There is the opportunity to open your eyes to how the rest of the country lives; gain insights into some new cultures, discover different values and new interesting ways to get by in life. You also will have the chance to tour exotic and historical places in the town you are visiting, thereby creating some unforgettable memories that could last for a lifetime.
Travelling around the country also provides a sense of adventure and you will discover other activities that are impossible to enjoy in your urban city. You will have the opportunity to eat local delicacies where they are originally from and practice the native tongue on the native dudes and dudettes.
So, let’s check out three destinations or places of interest in Nigeria that you can travel to whenever you decide to give yourself a fun treat.
Calabar:
This city definitely has to be the first on my list; I have been living there for the past 2 years. It has a history that dates as far back as the 15th and 26th centuries. The city is also referred to as “Obio Canaan” in Efik language, meaning; Canaan City. Calabar has a vivid social life and a rich culture that would appeal to any visitor. Most people don’t know that Calabar city once served as the seat of Government of the Niger Coast Protectorate, Southern Protectorate and Oil River Protectorate. It is thus effectively the first Nigerian capital city. The city boasts an International Museum, a Botanical Garden, a Free Trade Zone/Port, an International Airport and Seaport, an integrated sports stadium complex, a cultural centre, a slave history park/museum and several historical and cultural landmarks. The city also has the biggest street carnival in Africa, Carnival Calabar, one of the main attractions of its one month long Calabar festival. You can also visit during Easter holidays when the city hosts its annual jazz festival providing perfect Easter break for lovers of jazz and other related forms of music; featuring three nights of veritable feast of jazz, blues, R ‘n’ B, and neo-soul from an impressive array of international and Nigerian artistes. Night life in Calabar is also second to none and their cuisine will leave you wanting more.
Badagry:
Badagry is a coastal town and local government area in Lagos State, Nigeria. It is situated between Metropolitan Lagos, and the border of Benin Republic at Seme. The city was built on the solid foundations of heritage, and continues to boast its exciting history till this day. Badagry is the cradle of Christianity in Nigeria, is the gateway to education and civilization and boasts of having the first ever storey building in Nigeria. The city was well known for its slave trade; it was one of biggest slave routes in the early 1500s. You can visit sites like Vlekete slave market, the point of no return, and different slave baracoons. There are exciting beaches like Coconut Beach, Suntan Beach, and the good thing is, there are tour guides always ready to take you around and make your stay enjoyable.
Obudu:
Obudu is a hotspot in Nigeria’s tourism. Deep in the tropical rain forest of Cross River State, it presents an area of idyllic tranquility and enchanting scenery. It boasts of the Obudu cattle ranch known presently as the Obudu Mountain Resort situated on the Obudu Plateau close to the Cameroon Border in the north-eastern part of Cross River State of Nigeria. It is about a 30 minutes’ drive from Obudu town and is about a 332 kilometers drive from Calabar, the Cross River State capital.
The hilltop of the ranch is about 11km of winded road from the base and can be accessed by either the cable-car, which offers inspiring and dramatic vistas of green rolling hills, or the road which provides numerous pleasant mountain-area and country-side views. Driving to the resort can be quite exhilarating, especially the last ten kilometers of winding road with its 22 bends, including the famous Devil’s Elbow halfway along.
At the resort, you can trek on the 60KM canopy walkway built in the form of a ladder tree house unhindered, for breathtaking views from an unimaginable height. You can also check out the Golf Course, Waterfall, Cattle Ranch, and all the amazing hotels. The best time to visit Obudu Resort is October to February, when the flowers are in bloom, the sky is clear and the air is cool.
So, if you have some time off, I suggest you take that trip and experience what life has to offer around Nigeria. Don’t wait or tell yourself there will be a better time to go. Take the risk, the opportunity and buy your plane ticket right now and leave. When you come back you won’t be sorry that you left. On the contrary, you will be thinking of your next trip the second you touch down and return to your urban city life.
About the author: Chris Bamidele is a passionate and unapologetic Nigerian, who believes in God and humanity. He is a writer, blogger, and an aspiring Television Director; and an optimist to the core. He blogs at www.chrisbamidele.wordpress.com and tweets @Chrisbamidele. He currently lives in Lagos.
