Tourism In Nigeria (Places of Interest )

An Introduction
Tourism is relatively a budding enterprise in Nigeria but owing to Nigeria's potentials, it has undergone a gradual but progressive evolution in the past three decades.
Nigeria is a country greatly endowed. It is blessed with warm, sundry climate, over 800 kilometers of fascinating beaches and evergreen vegetation in the South, while in the North, alluring landforms overshadows savannah grasslands. Added to these are the interesting natural features in form of water falls, springs, hills, some mountainous areas with temperate like climate and a range of special and common species of tropical wildlife. These, coupled with wide market opportunities, diverse socio-cultural heritage that gives the nation its uniqueness and the hospitality of the about 120 million people earn Nigeria the sobriquet, GIANT OF AFRICA.
It is almost impossible to deny Nigeria its prime of place amongst the richly endowed potential tourist destinations in the world.
Places of Interest (Tourist Attractions in Nigeria)
Tourist attractions in Nigeria can be classified as follows:
1. Natural Attractions: There are abundant physical attractions, which include hills, caves, springs, lakes and mountains across the entire country. These fascinating features and alluring scenes are good sites for leisure, adventure and other tourism-related endeavours. Example of these physical attractions are old Oyo National Park, Yankari Games Reserve in Bauchi; Obudu (Protea) Cattle Ranch, in cross River State and the Jos Wildlife Park in Plateau State.
2. Man-made Attractions: These are man made sites created for the purpose of relaxation. These include the Rayfield Holiday Resorts in Jos, the Bower's Tower in Ibadan and various amusement parks that dots the length and breadth of Nigeria's major towns and cities.
3. National Parks: National Parks are special natural ecosystems with unique attributes. They play unquantifiable roles vital to national/regional well-being as well as act as a catalyst for the development of eco-tourism. They also enhance ecological processes and life support systems such as soil regeneration, protection of nutrient cycles, cleansing and purifying hydrological cycles. There are eight such parks in Nigeria. They are:
i. Yankari National Park: This is situated within Duguri, Pali and Gwana District of Alkeri local Government Area of Bauchi State. It could be reached by road from Jos Airport through Bauchi State route and from Kano through Jos-Bauchi route.
Tourist Facilities: The park has 110 visitors chalets categorised along student/low income hotel, a standard restaurant, conference hall, in-door and out-door sport facilities such as table tennis, squash racket, badminton etc. There are species of large mammals like elephants, harte beasts, hippopotami, lions and about 153 known species of birds, fish, reptiles, and monkeys. It is also rich in ethno-historical and archaeological attractions.
ii. Kainji Lake National Park: This is closely linked with the famous Kainji lake oil hydroelectric complex. It lies between Borgu and Zugurma sectors of Kwara State. It can be reached through Lokoja, from Lagos through Ibadan, Ilorin and Jebba. The park is full of diverse wildlife, a variety of ethno-historical and cultural sites amongst which are Kobs, antelopes, hippopotami, lions etc.
Tourist Facilities: Available in the park are chalets restaurants, conference hall and a waterbus for lake cruising.
iii. Old Oyo National Park: This is located in the Northern part of Oyo State. It is rich in fauna and flora resources significant species of animals of which are the buttons, kobs, buffaloes, bushbuck and wide variety of birds. The park is close to cities like Ibadan, Ogbomosho, Oshogbo, Abeokuta, Lagos, Saki, Iseyin etc. These are cities and towns that have commercial and rich traditional impacts in Nigeria.
Tourist Facilities: Facilities available include chalets, tourist camps, standard restaurant, air conditioned bus and facilities for boat cruise and sport fishing etc.
iv. Gashaka Gumte National Park: This park is regarded as the most scenic of all the parks in the country. It is full of natural scenery such as mountains, valleys, rivers, streams etc. It also has pleasant sub temperate climate and a home to some very highly endangered species of wild life. The Gashaka Gumte National Park comprises two sectors, each rich in its own unique flora and fauna species. The Gumte sector is located in its Northern fringe while the Gashaka is on the Southern fringe. The twin park is regarded as the largest in Nigeria and situates on a vast land of mountains and valleys shared between two states: Adamawa and Taraba in the North-East of Maiduguri, Jalingo, Yola and Republic of Cameroon.
Tourist Attractions: The park contains some historic sites, one of which is the old German Fort at the Gashaka hill. Gangarwal peak of the chapal wadi mountain in range located in the park is the highest peak in Nigeria. The fauna include chimpanzees, cheetah, leopards, giant forest hog, colobus monkeys etc. The park is also a spawning ground for some fish species such as Nile perch, electric fish, Tilapia etc.
v. Chad Basin National Park: It situates between Borno and Yobe States. The wetlands of Bade and Buguru are internationally acclaimed as congregation site for migrant birds coming all the way from Europe. The park contains some rare desert-fronted gazelle etc.
vi. Cross River National Park: This is about an hour's drive from Calabar and can also be linked through the Port Harcourt route. It is in the forest zone of South East Nigeria. It has two sectors, the Southern urban division near Calabar and the Northern Okwangwo near Obudu.
Tourist Facilities: The park is home to many localised species of plants and animals which include gorillas, drills, chimpanzee, an gwantibo, or golden potto forest elephant, saleginella species.
vii. Okomu National Park: It is located in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State. It lies 45km West of Benin City and immediately South of Udo town, it can be linked from Lagos and Warri. This park is endowed with forest elephants Loxodants Africana, buffaloes, red river hogs, Chimpanzees, leopards, white throated guenos. Okomu is also rich in bird life.
Tourist Facilities: Ranger escorts, canoeing and sports, panoramic view of the park can also be enjoyed.
viii. Kamuku National Park: It falls wholly within the Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The park could be reached through the Kaduna-Lagos route from the South - West and North-East and with central parts of the country. From Abuja, the park is 305km, from Lagos, it is 780km and from Kaduna, it is 125km. The park has Elephants, Antelopes, Oribi water busts, Hunting dogs, Wet cats, Green Monkeys, side-stripped Hyena and Jackal. A wide variety of birds also are found in the park.
4. Eco-Tourism and Recreation: Park viewing and bird watching are prominent recreation activities. Others are hiking among the trails. The Dogon Ruwa waterfalls has a high potential for the development of swimming pool. The rocks are not only fascinating but are good training grounds for mountaineering and endurance training.
5.Cultural Attractions: These are activities based on people's ways of life expressed as religious beliefs, colourful festivals, dance, songs, artworks etc. The cultural assets of Nigeria are amongst the most fascinating in Africa, some of which include the Osun Oshogbo festival, Osun State, Eyo festival in Lagos, Kano/Katsina Durbar, Argungu in Kebbi State and Mmanwu festival in the South Eastern Nigeria.
6. Museum and Monuments: Nigeria is enriched with finest collections of Arts and Crafts as well as archaeological relics showing our historical past like Terra-Cotta head from the old Nok Culture, the famous Benin Bronze art works and the Yoruba's exciting sculptures. These great varieties of ancient relics can be found in all the branches of Nigeria national museums.
7. Nigerian Crafts: Crafts are symbols of Nigeria's material and spiritual heritage. Crafts are well integrated into the living patterns of Nigerians and inseparable from their spiritual philosophies. They are therefore prized objects for the promotion and preservation of tourism. Nigerian crafts are grouped into textiles, pottery and ceramics, fiber crafts, bronze, brass and iron works, woodworks, calabash decorations, leather works, ivory, jewelry etc.
8. Conference/Business Tourism: Conference/Business Tourism is a veritable area of tourism in which Nigeria is selling fast her credentials to the rest of the world community. There is an international conference center located in the Central Business District of Abuja, which can comfortably host any conference of international standard. The elegant ECOWAS secretariat located in Asokoro District of the FCT is also complementing its service. It serves as the Administrative Headquarters of the Economic Community of West African State with facilities for international conference. The international conference centre serves as venue for conference, seminars and conventions. It has an auditorium with a sitting capacity of 2,000 and other smaller committee rooms with communication equipment and gadgets capable of translating at least four languages simultaneously. The centre is located along Herbert Macaulay Way in Garki District in Abuja.
9. Sports Tourism: Nigeria can pride itself in the area of sport tourism. It has produced sport and soccer veterans whose names are today household names as far as sport tourism is concerned such leading veterans include Chioma Ajunwa, Akeem Olajuwon, John Fashanu, Bash Ali, Nwankwo Kanu, Jay Jay Okocha, Daniel Amokachi, Taribo West and Sunday Oliseh etc. Nigeria hosted the 1999 edition of World Soccer Championship in Lagos, an event that brought to Nigeria at least over 60 countries around the world. In 1984, young talented Nigerians captured the Maiden Kodak under 16 world cup held in China and in 1996, the flying Eagles, Nigeria's Junior National Team, made an impressive outing at the Olympics held in Atlanta. Nigeria has been slated to host All Africa Games in Abuja come 2003.

Wildlife

Wildlife

Gorilla Journal 33, December 2006
News from Nigeria
Third Cross River Gorilla Workshop CompletedWith funding from the WWF African Great Apes Programme, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Fauna and Flora International and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), an international "Action Planning for Cross River Gorilla Conservation" workshop and conference was held in Calabar, Nigeria from April 26 to 29, 2006. Hosted by WCS and the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), this meeting built on partnerships and success from previous Cross River gorilla workshops held in Calabar, Nigeria in 2001 and Limbe, Cameroon in 2003. The meeting involved representatives from the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Republic of Cameroon, the Cross River State Government, as well as technical experts from local and international organizations and institutions. Based on a series of site-specific measures and recommendations arising from the workshop, an action plan for the conservation of the Cross River gorilla is now in preparation. The plan includes sections on the socioecology of Cross River gorillas, threats, population fragmentation, landscape ecology, ecotourism and gorilla habituation, the development of transboundary protected areas, legislation, education and awareness, community conservation and enclave management as well as monitoring and research needs.
Gorilla Census of Afi Mountain Wildlife SanctuaryA sanctuary-wide gorilla survey was conducted in June 2006 by the WCS as part of continued efforts to monitor gorillas in the Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary. Since 2004 regular surveys have been conducted in the sanctuary to monitor ranging behaviour and to obtain a reliable estimate of population size of the Afi gorillas. Six teams surveyed the mountain over a period of 7 days, including staff from WCS and the Cross River State Forestry Commission (CRSFC) and experienced local gorilla trackers. Eleven gorilla nest sites were found although only 4 of these were judged to be "fresh" (1 to 3 days old). Data from this survey suggest the presence of at least 15 and perhaps as many as 27 gorillas on the mountain located in the northern and south-central sectors of the sanctuary. Evidence of other wildlife remains scarce although levels of poaching were observed to be considerably lower than in previous surveys. The reduced poaching is likely to be due to intensified anti-poaching activities in the sanctuary, supported by Fauna and Flora International (FFI) and NCF. Unfortunately, however, in spite of efforts to eradicate farms from within the sanctuary, encroachment remains a growing problem.
Crop Raiding by Gorillas: a Sign of Successful Conservation?In January 2006, WCS received reports of crop raiding by gorillas from Kakwagom Irruan and Bitiah, 2 of the 16 communities surrounding the Afi Sanctuary, located adjacent to the northern sector of the sanctuary. At least 6 farms were reported to have been raided and a number of stands of banana and plantain were destroyed. Although local people report that this is the first time in more than 20 years that farms have been raided in the area by gorillas, this incident has resulted in considerable tension within the communities concerned. It is not clear why some gorillas have exchanged the relative safety of the sanctuary for surrounding farmlands. It is known that gorillas routinely migrate to the northern sector of the sanctuary during the dry season, generally a period of food scarcity, to exploit particular plant species, but they have not been previously reported to have left the confines of the sanctuary. With farms extending ever closer to the boundaries of the sanctuary there is always an increased chance of gorillas straying onto local farms and raiding crops especially during periods of food scarcity. Reduced levels of hunting within the sanctuary, a result of intensified anti-poaching measures by a combined team of CRSFC rangers and community scouts, may have encouraged gorillas to roam further afield. Whatever the reason, the situation puts gorillas in the area at risk of reprisal, injury or even killing by aggrieved farmers and must be addressed urgently. In view of its importance to the conservation of the Afi gorillas, it is recommended that the CRSFC and NGO partners work with the local communities of Kakwagom and Bitiah to explore ways in which to improve the protection of these community forests.
Counting Gorillas in the Mbe Mountains: Genetic Analysis of Dung Between December 2005 and August 2006, WCS conducted 5 mountain-wide gorilla surveys of the Mbe Mountains. These surveys have focus-ed on the collection of gorilla dung for subsequent genetic analysis, from which it is hoped that a more accurate and reliable estimate of the population size of Mbe can be produced based on mark-recapture techniques. Survey methodologies used in the past have not been very effective in providing an accurate estimate of population size. If successful, this pilot study could be extended to Afi and Okwangwo where current estimates also need to be refined. A total of 88 dung samples were collected during the exercise and are already being analyzed by the laboratory of Todd Disotell in New York.
Renovating Research CampWith funds provided by Berggorilla & Regenwald Direkthlife, WCS has almost completed the construction of a simple research camp in the Mbe Mountains, with only the roof now remaining to be completed. The camp will undoubtedly improve the living conditions of researchers and other visitors. The construction of the camp has taken rather longer than expected, as the difficult terrain meant that all building materials had to be conveyed up the mountain by porters. Using local labor for the construction of the camp did provide some much-needed, albeit temporary, employment opportunities.
Creating a Community Wildlife Sanctuary in the Mbe MountainsSituated between the Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary and Cross River National Park, the Mbe Mountains are community-owned land and lack any formal protection status. The nine communities surrounding Mbe recently agreed to work together to create a protected area in the Mbe Mountains and are currently in the process of establishing the Mbe Mountains Conservation Association. In recent months WCS have been working with the 9 Mbe communities and the CRSFC to negotiate and provisionally demarcate the boundary of a core protected area in the mountains.
Inaoyom Imong and Andrew Dunn
With your donations we now started buying the material for a new ranger post at Bumaji. Hopefully the construction work can be started before the next rainy season starts. However, we still need more funds - every donation is welcome!
Photo: Andrew DunnThe new Mbe research station
Inaoyom Imong is working for the Wildlife Conservation Society in Nigeria.Andrew Dunn is Project Manager for the WCS biodiversity research program in southeastern Nigeria, having taken up his appointment in March 2004. He has been working on biological survey and conservation projects in Africa since 1989, with a special expertise in large mammal monitoring. On behalf of WWF he acted as conservation adviser to the Gashaka-Gumti National Park in Nigeria from 1995-2000 and as park adviser to Korup National Park in Cameroon in 2000-2003.

Tourist Attraction States in Nigeria.

State	Capital	Attraction/Description
ABIA	UMUAHIA	Arochukwu Caves, Natural/Physical attraction * National War Museum Monument Umuahia. * Akwette Weaving Centre Arts and Crafts (Souvenirs) * Long juju of Arochukwu Cultural festivals * Azumini Bule River Natural/Man-made Tourist Village. * Museum of Colonial History Monument
ADAMAWA	YOLA	Gashaka Gumti National Park, Eco-Tourism (Wildlife) * Sukur (UNESCO World Monument Heritage Site) * Lamurde Hot Spring Natural/Physical * Modibbo Adam's Tomb Monument * Three Sister Rocks Monument * Mandara Mountains Natural/Physical * Kiri Dam Natural/Physical
AKWA	UYO	Ibeno Sand Beach/ Natural/man-made IBOM Mobil oil treatment * Ekpo Masquerade festival Cultural * Oron Museum, Oron Museum/ Monument * Mary Slessor House/ Monument Tomb
ANAMBRA	AWKA	Ogbunike Caves Natural/Physical * Rojeny Tourist Village Man-made Oba * Mmanwu Festival Enugu Cultural * Agudu lake/Gully Natural * Aguleri Game Reserve Eco-Tourism * Igbo Ukwu Archaelogical Monuments Reservations
BAUCHI	BAUCHI	Marshal Caves, Yankari Natural Park * Wikki Warm Spring, Natural Yankari Park * Tafawa Balewa Tomb Monument * Lame/Bura Game Wildlife/Eco- Reserve Tourism * Geji Rock Painting Monuments
BAYELSA	YENAGOA	Oloibiri Oil Museum Museum/ Monument * Slale Transit Hall Resort/Man-made * Igidi Shrine Cultural
BENUE	MAKURDI	Ushongo Hills, Ushongo Natural/Physical DI * Ikwe Holiday Resort Natural/Man-made * Enemabia Warm Spring, Natural Okpoya * Kwag-hir Puppet Festival, Cultural (Nov./ Gboko/Makurdi Dec.) Souvenir * Dajo Pottery, Makurdi Traditional * TIV Anger Weavers, Monument Ajikpo * J.S. Tarka Foundation Cultural Centre, Makurdi * Montane Game Reserve Wildlife/Eco- Tourism * The Rare Manatee, Natural Katsina-Ala River
BORNO	MAIDUGURI	Laffy falls, Kuya L.G.A. Natural * Chad Basin National Eco-Tourism Park * Abba Kari Zoo, Maiduguri- Eco-Tourism * Gwoza Hills Natural * Sambisa Game Reserve Wildlife/Eco- Tourism * Kyarimi Amusement Resort/Man-made Park
CROSS RIVER	CALABAR	Kwa falls, Kuya L.G.A. Natural RIVER * Agbokim falls, Ikom Natural L.G.A. * Obudu Cattle Ranch Resort (Man- made) * Coercopan, Ishie Close, zoo Calabar * Cross River National Park Eco-Tourism/ Wildlife * Drill Ranch, Calabar Zoo * Ekpe Masquerade Cultural * National Museum Monument * Rock with foot prints National
DELTA	ASABA	Chief Nana's Palace Cultural * Koko Port Natural/Man-made * Escravo's Beach Natural/Man-made
EBONYI	ABAKALIKI	Umuana Afikpo Golden Natural Lake Sand Beach
EDO	BENIN	Fugar Caves Physical * Okomu Wildlife Eco-Tourism Sanctuary * Igwe Festival Benin Cultural (September) * Igun Bronze Casting, Souvenir/Cultural Benin City * Oba's Palace, Benin Cultural * Ramat Park Monument * Sakpoba Holiday Resort.Man-made Resort * Asoro Shrine Cultural/ Traditional Rel. * Samorikal Hills Physical
EKITI	ADO	Erinta Falls, Ekiti West Physical L.G.A. * Olosunta Hills, Ikere Physical * Ikogosi, Warm Spring Natural
ENUGU	ENUGU	Mmanwu Festival Cultural * Nike Holiday Resort Natural/Man-made * Ezeagu Tourist Complex Man-made * Nkalagu Silicon Sand Physical * Uzo-Uwani Natural Nature's Wonder * Iva Valley Coal Mine Natural
FCT	ABUJA	Abuja Amusement Park, Resort/Man-made Zone 1, Wuse * Abuja Gardens, Central Resort/man-made Area * Abuja Zoological Garden, Zoo/Man-made Area 1, Garki * ECOWAS Secretariat Man-made * Women Development Resort/Man-made Centre * Abuja Plant Nursery Physical/Man- made * Aso Rock Physical/Natural * Usman Dam Man-made * IBB Golf Course Sports Tourism * Jabi Dam and Holiday Man-made/Resort Resort
GOMBE	GOMBE	Tula Highlands/Hills Physical* The Famous Tangale Dome Shaped Rock/Hill Formation Physical * Dadin Kowa Dam/Tomatoes Factory & Farms Man-made * Buba Yero Tomb * Ashaka Cement Factory Man-made
IMO	OWERRI	Oguta Lake Holiday Resort, Natural Man-made Oguta * Ikeji Festival, Arondizogu Cultural * Palm Beach Holiday Resort, Awo-Amana Man-made/Natural * Zoological and Botanical Garden Nekede * Amusement Park, Owerri Zoo/Man-made
JIGAWA	DUTSE	Hadejia/Ngum Wetlands and Bird Sanctuary, Jigawa Eco-Tourism/Wildlife * Binin Kudu Rock Painting Natural/Man-made * Ringim Dyeing Pits Cultural * Baturiya Birds Sanctuary Wildlife * Wowan Rafi Lake Natural
KADUNA	KADUNA	Luggard Hall and Government Monument Bridge * General Hassan Usman Park, Man-made Kaduna * Nok Terra Cotta, Nok Village, Cultural Kaduna * National Museum Museum/Monument * Emir of Zazzau's Palace, Zaria Cultural * Jakaranda Pottery, Kaduna Souvenir
KANO	KANO	Roxy Amusement Park, Airport Road, Kano Man-made * Cooky Amusement Park, Kano Man-made * Hills and Valleys Amusement Park Dawakin Kudu Junction, Kano Man-made * Bagauda Lake/Tiga Lake Resort Man-made * Tourist Camp, Kano Man-made * Audu Bako Zoo, Kano Man-made * Kano Salla Durbar Cultural * Gidan Makama Museum Monument/Museum * Emir of Kano's Palace Cultural * Kofar Mata Dyeing Pit, Kano Cultural * Bagauda Lake Resort Conference Centre, Kano Man-made/Business Tourism
KASTINA	KASTINA	300 years old Gobarau Minaret Katsina Monument/Cultural * 10th Century Kusugu Well, Monument/Cultural Daura * Emir of Katsina Palace Cultural * 11th Century KASTINA City Walls of 7 gates Monument/Cultural * Jibia Holiday Resort, Jibia Resort/Man-made
KEBBI	BIRNIN KEBBI	Argungu Fishing Festival Natural/Physical * Kanta Museum, Argungu Museum/Monument * Girmace Shrine, Zuru Cultural/Traditional Religion
KOGI	LOKOJA	Ita-Okueta Weaving, Okene Cultural * Ata Igala's Palace, Idah Cultural * Inikpi (Shrine) Statue Idah Cultural * Kpata Rock, Bassa Physical * Confluence Zone, Lokoja Natural * Relics of Colonial History, Natural Lokoja * Lord Luggard's Residence & Office, Lokoja Monument * Warlord War Cenotaph Monument * Iron of Liberty Monument
KWARA	ILORIN	Owu Water Falls, Owa Kajola Natural * Wreckage of Mungo Park Boat, Monuments Jebba * Owe Kajita Falls Physical * Owu Water Falls, Owu Physical * Tomb of Past Emirs, Ilorin Monument * Ubo Aiyegunle Lakes Physical
LAGOS	IKEJA	Bar Beach, Lagos Physical/Man-made * Badagry Beach, Lagos Physical/Man-made * Kaiyetoro Maiyegun Beach Physical/Man-made * Eleko Beach Physical/Man-made * Lekki Peninsula Physical/Man-made * Tarkwa Bay, Lagos Physical/Man-made * Water Parks, Toyin Street, Ikeja Man-made Resort * Apapa Amusement Park Resort/Man-made *

100 Love Messages

Everyone wants to be the sun that lights up your life. But I'd rather be your moon, so I can shine on you during your darkest hour when your sun isn't around.

Ah-- I forgot your name. Can I call you mine? And, in case you forget my name too, call me yours!

If I had the letters "HRT", I can add "EA" to get a "HEART" or a "U" and get "HURT". But I'd rather choose "U" and get "HURT" than have a "HEART" without "U".

You may never see how much I care for you. You may never hear how much I treasure you. You may never feel how much I miss you. Coz only here in my heart can you see them true.

There are 4 steps to happiness: 1. you, 2. me, 3. our hearts, 4. together!

If kisses were water, I'd give you the ocean. If hugs were leaves, I'd give you a forest. If love were space, I'd give you a galaxy. If friendship were life, I'd give you mine for free.

It's hard to say hello because it might be goodbye. It's hard to say I'm okay because sometimes I'm not. But it's easy to say I miss you coz I know that I really do.

It's hard for two people to love each other when they live in two different worlds. But when these two worlds collide and become one, that's what you call you and I.

If you're feeling lonely and you think there is nobody there to love, support, listen or show they care, just save this message and every time you realize it, it will remind you that a part of me is always there with you.

Roses are red, violets are blue. I am waiting to hear from a cute guy like you.

They say that as long as there is one person loving you, life isn't a waste. So if you lose hope and thought that life is not worth living, just remember I'm here.

Do you know that men and women are angels created with only one wing? And they need to embrace each other to be able to fly... Hope you can find your angel whom you can fly with forever.

They told me I could do anything if I put my mind into it. Yet no matter how hard I try in all that I do, I just can't take my mind off you.

My biggest reward is to see you smile, know you are happy, and feel you are loved. I know life is sometimes cruel, but that's why I'm here, to show you that life can be good when somebody cares.

There are 12 months a year...30 days a month...7 days a week...24 hours a day...60 minutes an hour...but only one like you in a lifetime.

There are two reasons why I wake up in the morning: my alarm clock and you.

Great minds contain ideas, solutions and reasons; scientific minds contain formulas, theories and figures; my mind contains only you!

Love can be expressed in many ways. One way I know is to send it across the distance to the person who is reading this.

If I could change the alphabet, I would put U and I together!

Minsan caring is better than loving. Minsan tea is better than coffee. Minsan smile is better than laughter. Pero nobody is better than you.

There is night so we can appreciate day, sorrow so we can appreciate joy, evil so we can appreciate good, you so I can appreciate love.

You look great today. How did I know? Because you look great everyday.

What is love? Those who don't like it call it responsibility. Those who play with it call it a game. Those who don't have it call it a dream. Those who understand it call it destiny. And me, I call it you.

What is love? It is what makes your cell phone ring every time I send text messages.

If love can be avoided by simply closing our eyes, then I wouldn't blink at all for I don't want to let a second pass having fallen out of love with you.

I used to think that dreams do not come true, but this quickly changed the moment I laid my eyes on you.

Press down if you miss me. Talaga? Sweet mo naman. You really miss me huh? Still pressing down. Impressed na ako, ha? Sobrang miss na yan. Well, I miss you too.

Some people were born with talents. They can do beautiful things with their skills, knowledge and technology. But no one is as talented as you. You just come near, and there is already beauty.

A lady is a woman who makes a man behave like a gentleman. You're such a lady to me.

To forget you is hard to do and to forget me is up to you. Forget me not, forget me never. Forget this text, but not the sender.

When situation gets you down, remember there's Someone in Heaven who loves you and watches over you and there's someone on Earth who cares… I do.

Cell phones can be irritating sometimes. You always have to reload, recharge every now and then. Messages are delayed. But there's one thing I love about it. It connects me to you!

Words begin with ABC. Numbers begin with 123. Music begins with do, re, mi. And friendship begins with you and me!

Rain and sunshine do not always come together. Night and day never coincide. But you and I, whatever they say, is for me the perfect match.
When I dream, I dream of you...maybe one day, dreams will come true.

There is an ocean between us. Forests and mountains keep us apart. I may not be superman, but give me a second and I will fly across countries to send you my love. Have you received it?

If, out of time, I could pick one moment and keep it shining, always new, of all the days that I have lived, I'd pick the moment I met you.

I'm on a mission to get over you, in other words mission impossible.

I wish I'd be a tear in your eye to roll down your cheek and end up with your lips but I never wish you'd be a tear in my eye for I would lose you every time I cry.

When it rains, you don't see the sun, but it's there. Hope we can be like that. We don't always see each other, but we will always be there for one another.

I may run out of message to text you. I may run out of jokes too. I may also run out of battery or even a peso but my heart won't run out of space for you!

You'll know that you miss someone very much when every time you think of that person, your heart breaks into pieces and just a quick "Hello" from that person can bring the broken pieces back.

Love. All my life I have read about it, dreamt of it, waited for it, cried for it, needed it. Now with you, I have found it.

Sherlock Holmes was an idiot and Robert Watt was a fool. One was a detective, the other invented radar. But neither of them ever discovered you. I'm a genius!

When the time comes I can't smile anymore, don't worry about me, I know what to do. I'll just stare at one corner and think of you. No one else could make me happy like the way you do.

There's a love that only you can give, a smile that only your lips can show, a twinkle that can only be seen in your eyes, and a life of mine that you alone can complete.


I always think of you, but I always fail to know the reason why. Is there something else I should know about you? But there is one thing that I know is true. That life will always be sad without you.

Hatred infects the mind; love dissolves it. You dissolve my mind.

Don't say you love me unless you really mean it cause I might do something crazy like believe it.

I'm afraid to close my eyes coz I might think of you. I'm afraid to open them coz I might see you. I'm afraid to move my lips coz I might speak of you. I'm afraid to listen coz I might hear my heart fall for you.

I'm sorry to be smiling every time you're near. I'm sorry my eyes twinkle whenever you're here. I'm sorry that cupid has made his hit. I'm sorry I love you, I can't help it.

Caring for someone is easy but making someone care for you is hard. Now I keep wondering how did you make it so easy for me to care for you.

Text me when you are sad, text me when you need someone to listen to and you can't find anyone who will. I don't care if I'm your last option, I just don't want you to cry alone.

I don't want to say I miss you, though deep inside I do, coz I'm afraid you might see thru and know how much fear I have of losing someone like you.

If love can be avoided simply by closing our eyes, I wouldn't blink at all for I don't want to let a second pass having fallen out of love with you.

I wish one day you will miss me terribly that no matter how hard you look for me, you won't find me. Why? Because, I want you to miss me the way I'm missing you right now.

If I could be any letter in the alphabet, I'd choose "V" so I can be next to "U"; if you could be any note, I wish you're "RE" so your always beside "ME"!

Whatever you do, I'll walk with you. Hoping that your every dream would come true. Anytime, anywhere, I'll always be there. Wishing you love and happiness because I care.

The spaces between our fingers were created so that another person's fingers could fill them in. Hope you'll find your dream hand to hold you forever.

Every part of me wants you, maybe because I was made just for you!

When you love someone, draw a circle around their name instead of a heart coz hearts can be broken but circles never end.

Nobody tells fish to swim, birds to fly, cows to moo, dogs to bark - they just do. Just like nobody tells me to remember you. I just do!

If you were a wound inside my heart, I'd rather leave it there with all the pain locked inside than leave it without a trace of you.

Whenever you feel blue, I will be there for you. Whenever you are sad, I will stay by your side. Whenever you need someone to love, I will always be there for you to have.

They can recycle paper till it's as good as new, reproduce cans and jars and old bottles too, but they can never recycle another person as wonderful as you.

I hate when you smile at me because you make me crazy about you. I hate when you talk to me because you make me run out of words. I hate you when I see you because you make me love you more.

What good is beauty without brains, looks without charm, money without happiness, a smile without feelings, a life without you?

To be disturbed by the beep of your phone only means that somehow, somewhere, somebody is thinking of you and at this very moment, that's me. Take care always.

A person you love is an extension of yourself. Without it, you're not complete so better take care of yourself because I don't want to lose a part of me.

I wish my eyes could speak what my heart feels for you, coz my lips can lie on what is true. My eyes couldn't coz even if I close them I could still see you.

Every time I hear my text tone, I always hope one of them is from you. My cell phone may have limited memory space but my heart has unlimited space for someone like you.

I have you! If you hate me, shoot me with an arrow, but please not on the heart coz that's were you are!

Someone asked what makes people happy. Some said wealth and some said fame. I was thinking about this when my cell phone beeped and received a text from you. Then, I smiled and said: "This makes me happy."

You're like a target that I always try to aim at. How I wish I could aim you at the heart. But every time I fail, I feel so sad. You know why? It's because I always end up missing you.

It was a simple crush, done and over with, then you looked at me.

Love is something special, a treasure I want to find... To others, love is blind but for me, its not true, coz when I fell in love...I saw you.

I'll lend you my shoulder for you to cry on, my ears to listen to, my hand for you to hold, my feet to walk with you, but I can't lend you my heart coz it already belongs to you.

Why do birds fall from the sky every time you walk by? Maybe because like me they want to be near you!

If I get takot, would you hawak me tight? If I gawa something mali, would you make it right? If I build an apoy, would you bantay the flame? If I sabi I miss u, would you ramdam the same?

Do you take me to be your lawfully wedded text mate, in sickness or in health, through metering or not, till low bat do us part?

Someone once asked me, "Have you ever fallen in love?" Then I answered, "Of course, once." Then they asked me another question: "Did it hurt?" I thought of you and told them "Yes, very much".

You must be a thief coz you stole my heart. You must be tired coz you're always running through my mind. And maybe I'm a bad shooter coz I keep missing you.

I asked God for a rose and He gave me a garden. I asked God for a drop of water and He gave me an ocean. I asked God for an angel and He gave me you!

I have heard from the phone company, the water company, the electric company, but haven't heard from you. Too bad, it's your company I love the most.

If someone would ask me what a beautiful life means, I would lean my head on your shoulder and hold you close to me and answer with a smile: "Like this!"

If only one star would fall every time I miss you, then all the stars in heaven would be gone. Don't wonder if there are no stars tonight! It's your fault coz you made me miss you a lot.

Life may sometimes be a rough road to walk on where everything seems wrong. But don't give up. Just go on coz when you think you're all alone, look back and you'll find me walking along.

They say as long as at least one person cares for you, life isn't a waste. So when things go terribly wrong, and you feel like giving up, please remember you still got me.

True love is hard to find, special one, one of a kind. I know because it appeared to me on a strange day I met you.

I've been wondering why you're not texting... Multiple Choice: a. busy b. dedma c. tired d. thrifty e. want me to miss you.

While you gave her flowers, you gave me thorns. While all she did was smile, all I did is mourn. While she was so happy, I felt so blue. Because while you loved her, I was loving you.

An angel asked me a reason why I care for you so much. I told her I care for you so much coz there's no reason not to.

First time I saw you, I was scared to touch you. First time I touched you, I was scared to kiss you. First time I kissed you, I was scared to love you. But now that I love you, I'm scared to lose you!

If love is a disease then I'm very ill. But I would not want medicine and won't take any pill. I would instead suffer this illness and be bedridden with joy of knowing you.

I will walk with you side by side for only one condition: hide your wings every time we walk together because the whole world might know that you're my angel!

Each of us is an angel with one wing. The only way we could fly is to hold each other and share wings. So if you have trouble flying, I will always share mine with you.

I used to think that the world is so unfair, that it gave me so many reasons to hate it. But now, how can I hate such a wonderful world that gave me you?

Can I say I love you today? If not, can I ask you again tomorrow? And the day after tomorrow? And the day after that? Coz I'll be loving you every single day of my life.

A day may start or end without a message from me, but believe me it won't start or end without me thinking of you..See! I just did. Take care.

You greeted me hi, I didn't reply। You gave me a sweet smile, I responded with a sigh. You showed me your love, you received a shrug. But when you bid goodbye I began to cry.

http://bazpet.blogspot.com

Tourism

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, some new rapidly growing cities and climatic conditions in some parts particularly conducive to holidaying. MaskOther attractions include traditional ways of life preserved in local customs; rich and varied handicrafts and other colourful products depicting or illustrative of native arts and lifestyle, and the authentic unsophisticated but friendly attitude of many in the 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 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 tourist 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 liberalisation policies will provide investment opportunities in various areas as follows:

* Heritage/Cultural Tourism Resources Development of slave trade relics
* Establishment of museums and preservation of monuments
* Wildlife Tourism Resources
* Development of hiking trails and Jeep tracks in the national parks
* Development of picnic and camping sites at strategic locations within the trail circuit system in the national parks
* Building of tourist lodges
* Building of reception centres at Natural/Physical Attractions
* Provision of cable bus system to take tourist through the very rugged but scenic terrain of the mountains especially in Kanyang, Obudu and Mambilla Plateau Construction of lodge cabins for expedition tourist and rangers.
* Establishment of hotels and resorts near waterfalls, springs, caves and temperate climate areas such as Obudu, jos and Mambila Plateau.
* Beach Tourism potentials Establishment of boating and sport fishing facilities
* Development of water transportation Provision of educational facilities for water skiing and swimming
* Establishment of holiday resorts along the coasts.
* Development of Amusement parks, entertainment facilities and shopping services
*
* Development of arts and crafts which constitute symbol of the people's cultural values and love for nature.
Some Business Opportunities
Transportation Nigeria has attained a high level of good transportation system especially Airline and Road Transportation, investment opportunities are still needed in water recreation transportation and rail services.
Hospitality The hospitality sector of the tourism industry seems to be the most competitive area with the presence of starwood Hotel Groups, owners of Sheratons, Hilton, Le Meridien, Shangra Lai the Asian Hotel giant in restaurants and many
Beach
Meanwhile, most of Nigeria's beautiful beaches locations are still largely without accommodation facilities, which are targets for investors in most tourism destinations across the globe.
Tour Operations
Like the Europeans and Americas tour companies invaded the North, South and East Africa by having tour offices in these regions which enable them to market destinations in their home countries is lacking in the case of Nigeria.
Any Company willing to do so for Nigeria will be highly welcome.local hotel and restaurant groups battling for a better share of the market.
Investment Climate
Apart from the enormous potentials and investment opportunities in the Nigerian tourism sector, the country's investment climate at present is one of the most favourable in Africa for a number of reasons: Political Stability.
The enthronement of a viable democratic system, which guarantees political stability, improves international relation and respect for human rights would in various ways enhance investment opportunities in the country.
Tourism Incentives
The provision of incentives in the 1990 National Tourism Policy were also to enhance private sector participation. These are in the following areas:
Conclusion
Tourism investment atmosphere in Nigeria is now conducive given the abundant resources available, large market, enthronement of enduring democracy, and a package of incentive put together by government. Foreign investors and other interested individuals should take these advantages to invest in the Nigerian tourism industry for sustainability and profitable returns.
Tourism Investment Opportunities In Nigeria
A Tourism policy was produced in 1990 with the basic objectives to make Nigeria the ultimate tourism destination in Africa.
The main thrust of government policy on tourism, is to generate foreign exchange, encourage even development, promote tourism based rural enterprises, generate employment and accelerate rural urban integration and cultural exchange.
Due to the importance the Nigerian government attaches to the tourism industry, the following strategies were adopted:
Infrastructure
Government would ensure that the provision of basic infrastructural facilities, namely, good roads, water, electricity, communications and hotels, to centres of attraction, in order to accelerate their development for the purpose of exploiting fully their touristic value. In furtherance of this goal, the appropriate government agency responsible for tourism promotion and development, shall establish and maintain close laison with other government agencies responsible for the provision of the infrastructure.
Concession of Land
State governments will provide land without any hindrance for tourism development at concessional rates and conditions favourable to investment and the realisation of investment thereon. This will necessarily include the abolition of annual ground rent within the period of construction and development of tourism. For orderly development of tourism and tourism product, it is mandatory for all state governments to demarcate potential Tourism Zones and their products from other usage, to avoid undue pollution. 100% equity ownership of companies in Nigeria and repatriation of profits and dividends etc.
Fiscal and Other Incentives
In order to boost the level of private sector investment in tourism, it is treated by government as a preferred sector, like agriculture. Government has also introduced such incentives as, tax holidays, tax rebate and soft loans, with long period of grace to potential investors in tourism.
Patrol and Regulation of the Industry
The government has enacted laws and regulations, which govern the activities of the categories of people involved in the industry, like hoteliers, travel agents, tour-operators, car hire services. This is to ensure that their conduct, is not detrimental to objectives of the industry and the security of the nation, as well as tourists.
Beach and Coastal Resort development (Nigeria has over 700km of unpolluted sandy beaches)। Conservation and Protection of 8 national parks and over 10 game reserves. Development of hotels and standard restaurants Transportation: water recreation, package tour services, air and rail services. Development of caves, tunnels, waterfalls and spring waters. Youth hostels, camps and centres Lake and River sport fishing. Scenic and Mountain Holiday resorts Theme/Amusement parks Conference/Congress Services Conservation and protection of endangered wildlife especially drill monkey, manatec, white throated monkey and pigmy hippo. Heritage, cultural and archaeological sites.

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 1 1/2 hours by road, southeast of Bauchi Town.Elephant 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 park in abundance.
The reserve covers 2,058 sq. 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 rivers.
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 600 ft. to an open area. The park is inhabited by a variety of birds, including the huge saddlebill stork, golliath heron, bateleur eagle, vultures, kingflshers, 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 Durbar Hotel in Kaduna, Bauchi State House in Lagos and at the Zaranda Hotel in Bauchi. Or call Yankari Game Reserve at (069) 43-656.
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 chalets or rondavels. Also available are suites, double rooms and family chalets that include small kitchens. There are many other National Parks besides Yankari, as illustrated on the map. Notable ones include Mambilla, Gumti National Park, Cross River National Park, and Kainji Lake National Park.

Mambilla Plateau
EagleThe Mambilla Plateau, in the southeast corner of Taraba State, shares a border with Cameroon. A high 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 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, Bali, 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 (6,000 sq. kin) 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 rivers flow through the park, including the Taraba, a major tributary of the River Benue.
CubA wide variety of animal life 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, and there is excellent fishing in the River Kam. The reserve headquarters is in the Forest Rest Houses at Serti, on the main road between Bali and Mambilla Plateau.
These rest houses provide self-catering accommodation at a small fee. The entrance to the park is about 15 km south of Serti. In the dry season, it is possible to drive to the former headquarters at Gashaka village, some 30 km from the entrance gate, where more self-catering accommodation is available. The park is best explored on foot and it is possible to hire game guards; guides and porters are available at Serti or in Gashaka village.
Cross River National Park
The Cross River National Park was created from two existing forest reserves of Bashi-Okwango and Oban Forest Resveres. 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 a 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 Zugurma Game Reserve to the southeast in Niger State. The Bourgu sector of the park alone covers an area of about of 3,929 sq. km. of savanna woodland, and Zugurma cover an area of about 1,370 sq. km.
The Kainji National Park also contains the Kainji Dam, an artificial lake which covers the town of Old Bussa. Here Mungo Park, the 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 Nigeria Electric Power Authority. Boat trips on the lake can be arranged by the Borgu Game Reserve office at Wawa. To reduce the expense, it is better for several visitors to share the cost. Fishing is allowed on the lake.
Tourist Sites:
The Borgu Sector of Lake Kainji National Park was set up as a Federal Game Reserve and is one of the largest in West Africa. The area was uninhabited and the idea for the park was conceived in 1960. It is in the northern guinea vegetation zone which is characterized by tall grasses and savanna woodland. The park retains a robust animal population including antelope, lion, hippopotamus, buffalo, roan antelope, jackal, baboon, monkey and crocodile.
The park is usually open from December to June, with the best time to visit towards the end of the dry season, when the grass has dried out and the animals move closer to the water. Tourist should expect Harmattan (dry wind) from December to mid-February.
The best times for game viewing are in the early morning or evening, and trips can be arranged from 6:00 am, either in park vehicles or visitor’s own vehicle. Bird life is abundant, especially near the river. Visitors should call the Wawa Game Warden’s office (11 miles from New Bussa) for a briefing and to also reserve a game guide. The entrance to the reserve is approximately 19 miles from Wawa along a laterite road, and the oil river camp is a further 32 miles from the entrance. Many Nigerians and foreigners make day trips to
Kainji or pass by it on their way to other parts of the country. Despite the provisions at Kainji and New Bussa, hotel accommodation is insufficient to encourage many people to stay for long periods
Coconut Beach
Coconut Beach is a beautiful beach in the coastal town of Badagry, west of Lagos. The beach is attractively set in an area surrounded by coconut trees. About 20 miles towards the border of Nigeria and the Republic of Benin, Coconut Beach is accessible through the Lagos-Badagry expressway. Visitors will find a friendly relaxed atmosphere.
Bar Beach
Bar Beach, also known as Victoria Beach, is the most popular beach among Nigerians. The main beach on Victoria Island is located along Ahmadu Bello Way opposite the Federal Guest House. It is usually crowded with Nigerians on public holidays.
Tarkwa Bay
Beach Tarkwa Bay is a sheltered beach along the Lagos harbor. It is accessible by a ‘trazan’ boa from Maroko or ‘fiki’ boat from under Falo Bridge on Victoria Island.
This beach provides a pleasant outing with safe swimming conditions, even for small children. Tourist may obtain deck chairs and an awning on the beach, for relaxed, casual comfort. Local yen dots sell delicious pineapples, coconuts and variety of other delightful treats.
Calabar Beach
This superb beach, at the mouth of the new Calabar River, is about 2 miles long and 500 feet wide, uninhabited save for a solitary fisherman’s hut. The beach is virtually isolated and lends visitors the luxury of privacy in a beautiful setting off the beaten path. Since the beach is flanked by a swamp and can only be reached by boat or canoe, getting there is half the fun and enhances one’s fascination with this enchanted locale.
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 remains 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.
Eleko Beach
Opened in 1989, Eleko is the newest of Lagos’ Beaches, down the Lekki Peninsula about 30 miles from Lagos. There are no traders and no distractions on Eleko Beach, just peace and tranquillity, ideal for those seeking privacy.
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.
ObuduThe Obudu Plateau is spread over an area of 40 sq. miles. It is 5,200 feet above sea level. The climate is cool and pleasant with no mosquitoes.
The landscape is spectacular, with rolling grasslands, deep-wooded valleys and waterfalls. Iris 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 Dec. and Feb. the harmattan is heavy; therefore, the best times for a visit are the end of Oct. to Dec. and March to May before the rainy season.
Attractions:
Gorilla Camp, 13 km from the hotel, 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 pleasantly 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.
Accommodations:
The Ranch Hotel maintains 33 chalets and boasts a friendly staff, superb restaurant and bar, and laundry/dry cleaning services. Chalets provide exquisite comfort with a large sitting room, color TV, VCR, cocktail bar, kitchen & spacious bedroom with double bed. The Ranch Hotel operates 24-hours during peak periods, Sept.-Dec., reservations should be made at the Cross River State House in Lagos. Or, by mail to: Hotel Manager, Obudu Cattle Ranch, 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 with trees 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.

The Burden of Expectations

Umaru Musa Yar'Adua was not a man given to dreams but this was one he would not forget in a hurry. As he dozed off sometime in August 1997, he found himself transported into a huge compound where he confronted an unusually huge man who beckoned on him to come inside the premises.
With trepidation, he followed the man until he entered a house where everything was paved with gold. There, this mysterious man handed him a box and an Islamic prayer tesbau (rosary), all gold and shinning. They were heavy.
As Yar'Adua attempted to peep into the box, the man told him to calm down as he invited him into the inner sanctuary of the premises where a rather old man was waiting. "That is your box", said the old man about the box he was holding "and that is your chair", he added, pointing in the direction of a seat which looked like a throne. As Yar'Adua was taking his seat, he woke up.
Three months down the line, specifically on December 9, 1997, he began to realise the full import when his elder brother, the former Chief of Staff Supreme Headquarters, Major General Shehu Musa Yar'Adua, died in Abakaliki prison and it was his lot to collect the coffin containing the remains. At that point, Yar'Adua could not but situate the family tragedy in that box he had received in the subconscious. Unknown to him, however, that was only half of the story. Three years later, he became the Governor of his home State, Katsina, eight years after he had sought the same position and failed.
At that point, he must also have reasoned that was the fulfillment of the dream: at last, the throne!
How wrong he must have been.
With his inauguration today as the President of Nigeria, a position sought by his late brother in vain, Yar'Adua could be described as a man of destiny.
Dreams, it has been said, awaken in us the ability to find truth and wisdom while acting as a communication pathway between the real and imaginary worlds where we are given messages that can’t be given in our conscious state.
And according to Dr. Vishwas Purohit, "dreams with intuitive messages are rare and are experienced by people whose minds are pure, serene, and stable. Dreams of spiritually enlightened minds carry messages of great importance."
If Yar'Adua's decade-old dream was, therefore, a premonition of his elevation to the Presidency of Nigeria which by this time last year could not have been within his wildest imagination, are we then to assume that our nation will prosper under him given the surreal environment ("paved with gold") under which he was handed "the box and the throne" in his dream?
Are we to assume that with Yar'Adua as President, notwithstanding the acrimonious election bringing him to power, Nigeria will move from a nation of wasted potentials to a land of promise and opportunities?
These are questions floating in the air.
But as he assumes office today, Yar'Adua understands the enormity of the burden he bears and has set some benchmarks for himself as to what he would consider a successful tenure. He said if he could redress the situation in a few critical sectors, he would be satisfied with himself. These key sectors are: Power and Energy, Niger Delta, Education, Law and Order/Security and Electoral Reform.

• Niger Delta

It is not for nothing that the Niger Delta features as one of the priorities of Yar'Adua as he assumes office today. Currently, there is incessant unrest in the oil-rich but neglected region, marked by a spate of kidnapping, armed robbery, arson and bombing, by various militant groups now operating in the area.
In the last one year, more than 180 foreign nationals, mostly oil workers, have been kidnapped while several now flee the country with the emergence, in December 2005, of a militant group, the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND), whose attacks have closed about a quarter of Nigeria's oil output.
While the problem of neglect persists, there is also an element of criminality with a situation in which hostages are now exchanged for undisclosed but huge sums in ransom money.
Yar'Adua's response to the complex problem is to redress the developmental/environmental challenge that has made agitation and militancy profitable and this, according to him, would be done by setting up a technical committee that will examine the criteria for funding, while working out the timetable for the implementation of the roadmap already envisioned.
Whether this intervention succeeds or fails will depend on the commitment of all the stakeholders and the political will by Yar'Adua to muster the requisite resources needed for the development of the region.

• Power Sector Emergency

In this sector, Yar'Adua has promised to declare a state of emergency and for good reasons too. In the last eight years of President Olusegun Obasanjo administration, the power sector has consumed billions of dollars by way of investment yet the power supply situation has remained largely unchanged. In fact, the situation has over the years gradually deteriorated.
An earlier promise by the Federal Government to ensure 10,000 megawatts of electricity supply in 2007 has remained unfulfilled, despite the commissioning of some gas turbines and other power projects across the country. The current power supply generation, which is between 2,000 to 3,000 megawatts, has not helped the situation, with incessant black outs which have helped to cripple the national economy.
While Yar'Adua may within the next six months benefit from recent investments in the sector culminating in the commissioning of some power plants, a new approach that would engender sustained investment by all tiers of governments and instituting a new regime of private-public partnership, as he has promised, would have to be aggressively pursued.
Fortunately, Yar'Adua has identified the power sector as a pivot upon which other sectors rest and the most pressing issue on his agenda for change. His predecessor started rather late on this issue, despite initial promises. The challenge now to consumate the reform efforts already started in the sector. He does not have to make the same mistakes. But there are some booby traps already set for him.
With the controversy over the recent sale of the nation's refineries and the popular Egbin thermal station, Yar'Adua would begin by helping to restore not only the confidence of investors but by also addressing the fears of the real stakeholders who feel shortchanged in the process.

• Education

The education sector, which is key to the development of any nation, has not fared too well either in Nigeria. A recent ranking of the world's top universities did not locate any Nigerian university among the top 500, despite a reported 500 percent increase in school fees and the establishment of private universities by some fat cats, including top functionaries of the outgoing administration. Yet in the past Nigerian universities and their products were competing with the best from other societies in the world.
Even in basic education, a recent report of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is not complimentary, saying progress has been too slow to the basic education targets by 2015, the year set aside by the United Nations to achieve the eight Millennium Development Goals. UNICEF Country Representative, Mr. Ayalew Abai, said millions of Nigerian children are still under-nourished and out of schools, without adequate healthcare.
This itself is self-evident with the number of children that daily roam the streets. But the real collapse is in tertiary education where the quality is low and even at that doors are being closed against majority of school leavers. While a few educational institutions like the Yaba College of Technology have been upgraded to full universities, but that move has not translated into quality education in a reportedly corrupt sector.
Currently, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is still embroiled in a strike over better welfare and improved working conditions, which has resulted in millions of under-graduates staying at home, and susceptible to criminal activities.
Critical to this sector is reform and funding and as a former lecturer himself, Yar'Adua sees the second as a sore point. Will he then devote more money to education as he has promised? Will he also dialogue with ASUU to fashion a way forward or behave like his predecessor and damn the lecturers?
Chances are that Yar'Adua would adopt the first option given that education, for the last eight years, has been his topmost priority in Katsina. But the first real challenge is that he must persuade the lecturers to go back to the classrooms with assurance that he understands their grievances and that those grievances would be addressed. Will they listen to him?

• Electoral Reform

The election that is bringing Yar'Adua to power is perhaps one of the most acrimonious ever in the history of Presidential elections in Nigeria. It is therefore fitting that electoral reforms should be of major concern to him. But does he understand and can he muster the requisite capacity to address the rot?
First, he must be able to situate the problem. The European Union, which had 150 observers in Nigeria during the general election, said the polls fell "far short of basic international and regional standards for democratic elections."
The head of the European Union monitoring team, Max van den Berg, said it was one of the worst elections that the EU had observed. "The whole thing was not at all living up to the hopes of the Nigerian people, chaotic, and I would say it left them behind, demoralised. EU observers witnessed examples of ballot box stuffing, alteration of official result forms, stealing of sensitive polling materials, vote buying and underage voting," he said.
The Commonwealth Group of 17 Observers talked of significant shortcomings: "The deferred polling hours posed a challenge... in so far as the count was concerned. Darkness fell while counting was still in progress and no provision had been made to provide artificial lighting for such a contingency."
The US-based International Republican Institute with 59 observers said the entire electoral process failed to meet international standards. "Nigeria's election process falls below the standards which Nigeria itself has set in previous elections and also falls below international standards, witnessed by IRI and members of this delegation throughout the world, " said the IRI.
The IRI said it observed "underage voting, voter registration list errors, stuffed ballot boxes, group voting, party observers and police instructing individuals on who to vote for, lack of privacy for voting, lack of results sheets and other materials, falsified results sheets, and early closings".
Reports of both local and foreign observers were the same: the elections were fundamentally flawed. Unfortunately, it was not an isolated incident; elections over the years have been problematic in Nigeria, especially elections held under the 1999 Constitution – 1999 and 2003.
In locating the problem, Yar'Adua has put the blame squarely on the penchant by Nigerians to disregard law and order while seeking loopholes in the bid to secure advantage over others. He promises to address the issues beginning with a review of the April polls without in anyway interfering with the processes at the Election Tribunals. Yar'Adua could earn himself more credibility denied by the mismanagement of the election by INEC, if he could help reform the electoral process. What is not in doubt today is that without the overzealousness of party faithfuls and gross incompetence of INEC, Yar’Adua would still have won the election. His challenge, therefore, is to cleanse the urgent stable and make peoples vote count by restoring credibility to the Nigerian electoral process.

• Security/Law and order

At regular intervals, foreign embassies in Nigeria issue what they describe as 'travel warnings' to their nationals, most of them bordering on their interpretations of the security situation in the country. While some information are sometimes exaggerated, the fact on the ground is that Nigeria today has a security challenge. Just last week, Inspector General of the Federation, Mr. Sunday Ehindero, unwittingly underscored this ugly situation when, in a home video manner, he paraded some 'murder' suspects (with one hooded). In the desperate bid to satisfy Nigerians that the assassination in 2001 of a former Attorney General and Justice Minister, Chief Bola Ige, had been resolved even while nobody has been charged to court on the issue, Ehindero staged a tragic drama for the world thus generating further controversy.
Violence, political killings, armed robbery. These are some of the problems that many Nigerians confront almost on a daily basis. But this situation is also tied to poverty in that there are many idle hands. So to successfully address this issue, jobs have to be created to take many people off the streets. Also tied to this is the issue of law and order. In the last eight years, there has been a gross deficit in this area in that the outgoing administration has shown scant regard for the rule of law. Yar'Adua has promised to chart a totally different course. Nigerians would be watching to see which direction he takes them.
Penultimate Thursday in Abuja, he fielded questions on his hopes for a new Nigeria as well as his vision. Excerpts:

My Main Priorities, By Yar’Adua

You have a responsibility to the people of Katsina State as the governor. You also have a responsibility to Nigeria now as the president-elect. How have you been managing this transition?
I think I have been managing it very well in the sense that I have a system which is working in Katsina State. Currently, I have a deputy governor who is the acting governor. And he has been doing very well. So, generally, since he has been coping well, what I do is, when I go home, we meet, have a discussion and we agree on what to do. And when it comes to implementation, a transition committee is in place and members have been working with the governor-elect for the past two and half weeks, giving him all the necessary information he needs; taking him round the state to see all the outstanding projects that are on-going, the stage they have reached and what is required to continue.
This week has more or less been about briefing and it’s quite easy in that the governor-elect has been part of the PDP (Peoples Democratic Party) political machine. So he knows how the party operates and as a party leader now in the state, I have also linked him up with the party base. I think everything has been going on very well in the state. Here also in Abuja, I have been coping well, receiving delegations, receiving briefings from the Presidency and by Sunday, I will start receiving ministerial briefings. It will be hectic, from morning till late evening, and I think in the last one week, here in Abuja, we have come a very long way in terms of the general briefings.
The transition generally has not been as cumbersome as the one that took place in 1999 because you are talking about the same PDP government and the fact that many of the policies and programmes, you are going to continue with them. That is how to make progress.
So, it has not been difficult at all, unlike the transition that took place in 1999 which was a transition from the military government to the elected civilian government. It is also easy in another sense because it is not a transition from one government controlled by one political party to another civilian government controlled by a different party.
I read one of your speeches where you said you were going to continue with the same policies. And people are already interpreting it to mean that this same pattern of government will continue. Are we going to experience any drastic change especially in terms of people's expectations or are we to assume it is just the same government with a different personnel at the head?
You see, where somebody is doing a good job, even if he wants to go, I will ask him not to go because the important thing is to get people who will be committed to serve this country. So, wherever I feel that some people are doing a very good job, I will retain them to keep providing the service that they have been providing. Where I feel that we need to inject new blood and ideas, we will do so. But you do not expect immediate drastic changes just for the sake of change. You see, when you want to change a complete set of personalities, it will take time before you get the right team. So, my immediate priority is to inject new blood and new ideas and at the same time ensure some form of continuity. In essence, it will be a blend of continuity and change.
As you are coming to power, people expect much from you. The power sector is in comatose, education has collapsed and you can say that of other sectors. Majority of our people are unemployed. How do you feel about this enormity of problems?
Like I said several times, governing a nation and achieving a good result does not happen overnight. It requires hard work and efforts. It is also a matter of time. If you put a good policy in place and you implement it well, it takes time before it begins to manifest. It is just like growing a crop. You have to plant it; you have to water it and it takes time before you start expecting the fruit. So, it is the same thing. What is easy to do is to destroy. You can destroy overnight. But you can't build overnight.
Take the policy on agriculture for example. At a time in the 80's, during the Second Republic, there was a Presidential Task Force on rice importation. That task force was charged with the responsibility of importing rice. In contrast today, there is also a presidential task force on rice. The difference this time is that the current task force is charged with the responsibility of producing rice. Now, if President Obasanjo's presidential task force on rice had been charged with the responsibility of importing rice, it would have performed short-time magic for Nigerians. By simply flooding the place with imported rice, within three months, the price of rice would have come down and become more affordable. But that is not building an economy; that would not make Nigeria to be self-reliant and produce wealth, which is the only way we can grow the economy.
The policy to produce rice will require research and you need the raining season to test and suggest how practically it can be realised. That will take a minimum of three years, after which you will need to contract one out to reproduce through distribution. That will take a minimum of four years. You will need to train workers to go into the field and train farmers on the new technology to increase rice production. If you make this effort and you are working hard, in about seven years, you can begin to see results and you can begin then to produce enough rice within a decade to satisfy the local demand and also begin to produce for export instead of importing. And if you must do this, you need to work hard. You also need to be patient. But the end-result is that you will create jobs, you will add value to the society, because you are now encouraging production. And that way, you can help the rice market.
You see, it requires hard work, but also, you need time because it takes time to achieve results. So, what I can say to Nigerians is that a lot of the policies on ground are directed at making the nation to produce and be self-reliant; our policies are in the right direction. In the long run, we need to build the economy of this nation, create and generate wealth and provide employment. This will form the basis for the liberation of this country. But we can only do this with patience and perseverance and we must work hard. The other thing is that power and energy...
(Cuts in) Yes, in that area you said you were going to declare a national emergency. What in practical terms does that mean?