WE at NATIVITY MEDIA LTD, ABUJA are happy to annouced to you all the entry of the long awaited Nigerian travellers' magazine.
The magazine has its focus on business,tourism,people and culture. It is a magazine for anyone seeking knowledge of the social, cultural and geographic nature of this great country Nigeria.
For advertisement, call Terry at 08163477741
Thanks alot.
Wednesday 2 February 2011
Saturday 1 January 2011
Treasures magazine in conjunction with a facebook tourism group called NIGERIAN HOSPITALITY & TOURISM GROUP are set to organised a weekend adventure thrill titled Tour the Nation season II. According to the organisers of the trip,it promisies to be fun filled and educative following the success of the first version organized in early December 2010. The trip comes up on the 8th of February, 2011 with a take off point in abuja.
The Obudu Mountain Resort (Formerly Obudu Cattle Ranch) offers the leisure seeker and the conference goer a complete contrast. Not only in its temperate climate but also it’s exciting and different location.
Nestling at the top of the mountain the Obudu Cattle Ranch is situated on a plateau at 1576 metres above sea level on the Oshie Ridge of the Sankwala Mountains. The temperate climate offers a total contrast and welcome respite from Africa’s tropical heat. Idyllic tranquillity, beautiful scenery and breathtaking views make it ideal for the lone adventurer, families on reunion, young couple or holiday group.
The tours to view the magnificent scenery and spectacular birdlife are a must for the visitor to this part of the world and these tours can be taken on foot or on bicycle. For those who forgot to pack binoculars, the Canopy Walkway which is situated in the trees allows visitors thrilling close-ups of the birds in their natural habitat high above the ground.
A major talking point for guests is Africa’s longest cable car system. At 4 kilometres, Obudu Cattle Ranch’s cable car gently transfers guests (and their bags) from the tropical climate at the base of the mountain right to the hotel’s reception area on the mountainside which is often in the clouds and is accompanied by an invigorating drop in temperature. It is claimed to be one of the longest cable car facilities in the world.
At the ranch is located a breathtaking water park with facilities for swimming and water slides for all tourists.Other attractions include cattle on the ranch which are bred on the Ranch for their fresh milk, butter, meat and cheese.Horses,waterfall,golf course,canopy walk,organized bonfires and beautiful views of mountains and the country-side. There is also a honey and yoghurt factory, and the ancient Anape village. The Tinapa Resort can also be a part of the package for any interested tourists.
The ranch equally boasts of conference centers, as well as bungalows and chalets of varying sizes and styles to accommodate your budget. The presence of well rated restaurants also ensures that you get quality meals while at the Ranch.
The ranch community further offers a medical facility,night club, school, police post and staff quarters.
If you are looking for the place to go to with that special person,a business-oriented retreat,family holiday or you just need to take time off your busy schedule,Obudu Cattle Ranch is the perfect place.Grab your gear and get ready to have an experience of a lifetime!Book your seat NOW.
Hotlines:
08163477741
08066793140
The Obudu Mountain Resort (Formerly Obudu Cattle Ranch) offers the leisure seeker and the conference goer a complete contrast. Not only in its temperate climate but also it’s exciting and different location.
Nestling at the top of the mountain the Obudu Cattle Ranch is situated on a plateau at 1576 metres above sea level on the Oshie Ridge of the Sankwala Mountains. The temperate climate offers a total contrast and welcome respite from Africa’s tropical heat. Idyllic tranquillity, beautiful scenery and breathtaking views make it ideal for the lone adventurer, families on reunion, young couple or holiday group.
The tours to view the magnificent scenery and spectacular birdlife are a must for the visitor to this part of the world and these tours can be taken on foot or on bicycle. For those who forgot to pack binoculars, the Canopy Walkway which is situated in the trees allows visitors thrilling close-ups of the birds in their natural habitat high above the ground.
A major talking point for guests is Africa’s longest cable car system. At 4 kilometres, Obudu Cattle Ranch’s cable car gently transfers guests (and their bags) from the tropical climate at the base of the mountain right to the hotel’s reception area on the mountainside which is often in the clouds and is accompanied by an invigorating drop in temperature. It is claimed to be one of the longest cable car facilities in the world.
At the ranch is located a breathtaking water park with facilities for swimming and water slides for all tourists.Other attractions include cattle on the ranch which are bred on the Ranch for their fresh milk, butter, meat and cheese.Horses,waterfall,golf course,canopy walk,organized bonfires and beautiful views of mountains and the country-side. There is also a honey and yoghurt factory, and the ancient Anape village. The Tinapa Resort can also be a part of the package for any interested tourists.
The ranch equally boasts of conference centers, as well as bungalows and chalets of varying sizes and styles to accommodate your budget. The presence of well rated restaurants also ensures that you get quality meals while at the Ranch.
The ranch community further offers a medical facility,night club, school, police post and staff quarters.
If you are looking for the place to go to with that special person,a business-oriented retreat,family holiday or you just need to take time off your busy schedule,Obudu Cattle Ranch is the perfect place.Grab your gear and get ready to have an experience of a lifetime!Book your seat NOW.
Hotlines:
08163477741
08066793140
Thursday 4 November 2010
DETAIL INFORMATION ABOUT THE TOUR THE NATION TRIP
THE TOUR THE NATION TRIP promises to be very educative, exciting and fun filled. The essence of the Tour is three dimensional: ( 1) to provide an opportunity for you to take a mental break from the stressful nature of urban life and work. Their is something that happens in the very soul of man when He reconnects with the garden in which he was originally created to dwell in. ( 2) to provide an opportunity for you to educate yourself about the political &cultural geography of your fatherland. That is why we will be visiting historical and cultural centers. (3) to create an opportunity to see life from a different perspective. either by understanding the real plight of a giving community or to discover a hidden opportunity or talent. One can never tell. At the end of it all, we believe it will be a once in a life time moment you live to talk about.
The entire trip is designed in a spirit of friendliness, unity, maturity and love. the central elements that are so lacking in our modern day lives.
Each day will be begin with an election. the FAMILY (The entire Crew) elect a CHAIRMAN who takes the responsibility of coordinating the activities of the day on the itinerary, performs other fun based activities as may be agreed to by the FAMILY. AT the end of the day,the SCRIBE writes down every thing that has been done ( distance covered, places visited, activities done etc). and each member of the group signs with a short comment. The group converge eat,read from individual diaries, chat on interesting topics,dance (for those intersted), till everyone retires for the day.
THERE is going to be a lot of walking, swimming, hiking, hill climbing , boat paddling etc. So we advice that you bring on plenty of jeans, t shirts, swimming kits etc. You should also understand that the northern part of the country could be cold during the December period, so it is advisable you bring with you a head-warmer and sweater/tick jackets and socks.
The journey is long and hectic so we will be using a small but luxurious bus with full air conditioner. And for ultimate comfort in seating arrangement, accommodation and general convenience, we are taking on board only 14 persons.
WE are also going to provide light entertainment equipments for our mini picnics at sites and places of residences. We are making efforts to get in touch with the various Ministries of culture and Tourism of the respective states to see how we could be officially received. This may or maybe not be , which ever way it turns out, we are well prepared for the best trip we could ever have....
THE following is a list of some of the places we will be visiting. the list is not exhaustive, but it sure, gives a clear picture of what thrills lies ahead.
DEPARTURE DATE: 4TH DECEMBER, 2010
RETURN DATE: 11TH DECEMBER, 2010
REGISTRATION FEE: N30,000 ONLY
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: 30TH NOVEMBER, 2010.
METHOD OF PAYMENT: CALL 08163477741 for your ticket
NASARAWA STATE
Farin Ruwa Waterfalls
Farin Ruwa waterfall is found in Wamba Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. It is located between the boundary of Bokkos and Wamba local council areas of Plateau and Nasarawa States respectively. The Farin Ruwa waterfalls is about 120 kilometres away from Lafia, the state capital and 30 kilometres away from Wamba, the local government headquarters. The nature and beauty of the waterfalls take the breath away. It is a truly magnificent work of nature incomparable with other waterfalls in Nigeria. This is because of its high level falls which is about 150 metres high and 50 metres wide.The force of its gushing water is so torrential that it can be mistaken for while smoke, earning it the name “Farin Ruwa” a literal translation of “White water” in Hausa language.
Nasarawa State government is currently working on a block of chalets to ensure tourists and other visitors adequate accommodation near the waterfalls. A golf course is also in the works for the area.
Peperuwa Lake
Peperuwa Lake is an elongated natural lake situated at the north-west of Assakio town in the Lafia Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. It is about 50 kilometres away from Lafia, the state capital, with a six-kilometre drive on the Assakio Tunga Nupawa Road. The Lakes surface is estimated at more than 7 kilometres in length and 3.8 kilometres wide, at each point. The Peperuwa Lake is famous for such aquatic creatures as manatees, fish, hippopotamus, water ducks and geese. The surrounding is thick beautiful vegetation with animals and reptiles.
Tourism activities on the lake include boating, swimming, sport fishing, picnicking, game viewing and camping. A tourist holiday resort by the lake has been proposed by the State Government.
PANDAM WILDLIFE PARK
This game reserve provides the tourist with what can be expected in a nature preserve of its kind. The park is home to very many types of animals found in the region. In its waters are Hippopotamus, Crocodiles and snakes of all types. It is not uncommon to walk the banks of the lake and come face to face with a crocodile or a python. But a tourist should not be too concerned about any of these for the animals seem to know where humans hang out, and manage to avoid those areas. There has never been any reported encounter of humans with any of the animals in this park. Also, the rangers are always there to make sure that no tourist is hurt. If you ever want to enjoy nature, the Pandam Game Reserve is you next picnic stop area. Experience the thrill of tracking game on foot with the local game rangers in Pandam Wild Life Sanctuary! Located in Plateau's prime game area the camp provides luxury for your exclusive private mini-safari. Our safaris are unique. Since there's no mass tourism and the park's environment is still pristine, the wildlife are unspoiled by human contact. You'll have an unforgettable experience due to our unique combination of professional guide by both representatives of Plateau State Tourism Board, and local game rangers stationed at the Park. The scenery is nothing short of outstanding, and wildlife that it truly wild
PLATEAU STATE
Miango Rest House is a retreat and conference center located in Miango established by missionaries (SIM Nigeria) in 1914. It is located next to Kent Academy, a non-denominational missionary school. The Rest House provides visitors with plenty of opportunities to hike in the surrounding area. The property also features a man-made dam, a farm and is located at the foot of small hill (Mt. Sanderson) that provides a beautiful view of the area.
The Shere Hills include some of the Plateau’s highest peaks. They are a scenic range of hills to the east of Jos which offer a prime view of the city below. They offer fantastic opportunities to mountain climbers and hill walkers alike.
The Museum of Traditional Nigerian Architecture is adjacent, with life-size replicas of a variety of buildings, from the walls of Kano and the Mosque at Zaria to a Tiv village. In addition, articles of interest from colonial times relating to the railway and tin mining can be found on display.Jos Zoo is located in Jos city, beside the museum. It has a good stock of animals, birds and reptiles and was established in 1957.
The Wildlife Safari Park sits in the middle of 8 km2 (3.09 sq. miles) of unspoiled savanna bush, about 4 km (2 mi) from Jos. It offers a wide variety of wild animals within easy viewing. These include buffalos, lions, leopards, baboons, monkeys, derby elands, pythons, crocodiles, chimpanzees, jackals and the rare pygmy hippopotamus, which is being successfully bred in the 'hippo pool’. The park also boasts great, panoramic views of Jos city.
BAUCHI STATE
YANKARI NATIONAL PARK
This park was created since 1936 as a Game reserve. Yankari National Park was upgraded to its present status (as a National Park) in 1991 and it covers an area of 2,250.10km.
The park is located in Alkaleri Local Government area of Baauchi State, about 115km from Bauchi town. The Park could be reached by road from Jos airport through Bauchi state route and from Kano through Jos-Bauchi route.
In Nigeria today, Yankari Park has distinguished itself to be one of the best parks in the whole world, with a lot of visitors from other countries.
Yankari has taken Nigeria Park to another level of its kind, making Nigeria an international figure as one of the most interesting park to visit. The park has 110 visitors Chalets at Wikki camp, they are of several categories, including a low income youth hostels, a conference hall, and in-door and out-door sport facilities, a standard restaurant, a natural clear and pure swimming pool (wikki spring water) sports facilities: badmington, table tennis and squash.
Meanwhile, 52 identified species of animals including elephants, hippos, hartebeests, baboons etc and variety of birds and fishes, are found in the Yankari National Park
Yankari Park is also rich in ethno-historical and archaeological attractions; they include the Dukkey well, monumental iron smelting works of earlier settlements at Ampara and Shanshau with standing shaft furnaces.
The year rounds wikki spring water, the source of river wikki which also serves as natural swimming pool, which is an added advantage to the park.
KADUNA STATE
EMIR OF ZAZZAU PALACE
This Palace is situated inside the ancient city of Zazzau. It was built of mud also with traditional expertise typical of Hausa architectural design. The Palace is surrounded with high walls with beautifully constructed gates. One of the gates is the main entrance gate while the other gate separates the residential area of the Emir and his family from his emirate offices. The Palace, with such beautiful Habe Traditional Architectural Design, projects a sheer grandeur of beauty and elegance of the traditional Hausa culture of the Zazzagawa. The palace is simply fascinating and irresistible to witness.
The Queen Amina Wall built between 15th and 16th Centuries, is one of the best preserved in the Countury It has a total of eight (8) gates namely: Kofar Doka, Kofar Jatau, Kofar Gayan, Kofar Galadima.
The Zaria Dam is situated in one of the transit routes from Kaduna through Zaria to Jos road. The dam is built across the Galma River to form a body of water about 3,000 meters wide and 24 kilometers
The St. Bartholomew's Anglican Church was built by the first Christian Missionaries in Northern Nigeria at Wusasa in Zaria in" 1929. The church was constructed using the typical traditional architecture.
AREWA HOUSE
This house was the residence of Sir Ahmadu Bello Sardauna of Sokoto and the former premier of the Northern Region, and the first Chancellor of ABU, Zaria. The house is located on Rabah Road off Ali Akilu road.
The Matsirga Waterfalls is located around madakiya close to Kafanchan town. The waterfalls exihibits an exuberant power of nature where gushes, tumbles and drops about 30 meters into a still and deep gorge that has been supported by the area as well as the fresh cool breeze that blows around the waterfalls has so much to offer tourists.
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The Nok Settlement is located in Jabi Local Government Area of the State. The settlement is within a rock-shelter where remains of granaries are still noticeable. The Nok settlement was where the first famous terracotta figurine tagged "Nok Terracotta" was found. This gave rise to the Nok Culture which is over 2,500 years old and one of the most significant and best known cultures in Black African region today.
It is well known that Nok finds have been made in as far as Katsina-Ala in the South East as well as in Kagara. This is thus, a reflection of early civilization and also an indication of a wide spread of people in the central region.
The Nok site was actually brought to lime light by the untiring effort made by a British Archaeologist, Benard Fagg who was employed by the Nigerian Government in the 1940s. Fagg lived at the Nok site where he carried out sporadic exploration of these artifacts. Remain of his house which is well preserved till today and also serves as a tourist attraction.
THE GERMAN CASTLE KAJURU is not an ancient monument because it was built in 1978 by a controversial German expatriate living in Kaduna.
The style is very European and clearly German with a baronial hall, complete with suits of armour.
There are bedrooms that look like dungeons and several towers with crenulated walls. Once you are there, beware the crocodiles in a pit protecting the huge castle like gates!
The views of the surrounding mountains are terrific and obviously that is why it was sited here.
There is a magnificent large stainless steel swimming pool, well equipped kitchens (it is self-catering for the visitors).
Kajuru castle is opened for tourists from far and near the city of Kaduna as it provides an amazing and panoramic view of the city.
The castle is managed and maintained privately and the entry to the place is not so easy because one has to obtain a permission from a German lady who looks after the place.
Behind those big walls one will find a beautiful and well kept garden and a luxury pool.
The castle provides an avenue for visitors to explore the amazing landscape and rock formations that beautify the entire environment.
Treasures of the Universe is located along Kachia road, Kaduna. It covered a land area of over eleven hectares located on a naturally situated valley forming a water head that flows all year round.
The Concept of this resort is a triple oriented function which include: Physical, social and religous functions. The resort is aimed not to reaching the national market but international target. Buying from the naturally existing environmental features such as, the green cover, land terrian, to upgrade to it standard. Our expertise includes a thorough knowledge of resources assessment -but more importantly protecting the integrity of existing landscape, and area values for development.
At Treasures of the Universe they go beyond making you feel a tourism atmosphere with deluxe amenities.SEE YOU THERE.....Dont Miss Out
Monday 1 November 2010
OGUTA LAKE: STUDENTS PARADISE
Tucked snugly into the embrace of lush green vegetation, it is the epitome of calm and serenity. Oguta Lake, the largest natural lake in Imo State, is a major tourist attraction in the state, drawing an average of 17,000 visitors per annum. Myth has it that the goddess of the lake, Ogbuide, was once married to the god of the Urashi River. The marriage, however, ended on a sour note as both separated. As a result, their waters meet but never mix.
"Even when water from both rivers is put into a bowl, the bowl breaks," claimed Prema Anene Prema, a 100-Level student of Microbiology at the University of Abuja and an indigene of Oguta.
Among the many visitors to the lake are students from various universities all over the South East. All come seeking one thing – a slice of the lake’s peace and serenity. According to Mr. Felix Ekenze, the Chief Security Officer of the lake resort, "We get between 20 and 30 students per week mostly on weekends…they come all the way from Anambra, Rivers, and Aba".
Recently, students from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), came calling. It was a picnic of the Golden Voices Choir of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Chaplaincy, FUTO.
The day was Saturday – the normal student’s ‘free’ day – and the choristers turned out on the church premises as arranged, at 8am. Clad in breezy Caribbean-styled shirts, T-shirts of various colours, loose-fitting slacks, sandals, sneakers, sun-glasses and packing bags of beach paraphernalia, they looked ready for the business of the day – fun. After initial delays, the journey to the lake commenced at about 11am and about an hour and thirty minutes later, they were at the lake.
Part of activities they held were football and volleyball matches. Then, many dived into the cool lake for swimming. According to a student-chorister who did not want to be named: "At first, some of us were shy about changing and going into the water so we just played ball and cards but at a point, some of those who could swim went in and they looked like they were having so much fun that the rest of us – even those who couldn’t swim – couldn’t resist".
At lunchtime, it took the aroma of fried rice drifting into water-ravished nostrils and settling in growling tummies to get the students out of the water. The students ate and drank as a family while dancing to the music from the portable stereo set they had brought with them on the trip. As sumptuous as the meal was, it was finished in record time and the accompanying drinks gulped down as it was swim-time again.
Games were invented and played in the water, the more experienced swimmers taught their less-knowledgeable colleagues and those who didn’t feel up to returning to the water stayed on the banks taking photographs of the scenery and themselves. The arrival of the speed-boat for the cruise was greeted with shouts of joy from the happy student-choristers who then went ahead to cruise the Oguta Lake in two batches.
While the students excitedly chatted and took shots of the many colourful shrines adorning the banks, the more superstitious of the lot shushed their colleagues and equally warned them against taking pictures of the "sacred" shrines. When the boat got to the confluence of the Oguta and Urashi rivers and some of the students excitedly started taking shots again, one of them, Jude Ogbonna, in 400-Level Soil Science Technology, lost it. "Don’t take pictures!" he snapped. When asked for his reasons, he blurted: "I don’t know…you can talk if you must but don’t take pictures!"
As evening settled in, the students reluctantly left the water to dry up and change back into their clothes. They trooped back to the bus chatting excitedly about the day they had just had. One of them, Kelechi Egbe, in 300-Level Electrical and Electronics Engineering, gleefully exclaimed: "I learnt to swim a little…it was just fun!"
Paul Iwunze, a 300-Level Chemical Engineering student, said: "This is the best outing I have had in a long time" and he wasn’t the only one who felt so
Monday 25 October 2010
A TOURIST BIRD EYE VIEW OF OKOMU: Geoff Lockwood
… A Tourist Bird Eye View Of Okomu
BY GEOFF LOCKWOODIF all you think of when you hear the word Nigeria is “drugs, 419 scams and winning the Nigerian lottery again …for the eighth time this year” then maybe, like me, you need to think again!
I have just returned from a trip to Lagos and to Okomu National Park, one of the largest conserved areas of lowland forest in Nigeria and the birding experience of a lifetime.
Any trip to a new country — let alone a new region, is always exciting and the prospect of new and spectacular birds had me anxiously waiting for confirmation that my visa had been granted and that the trip was on.
Our small group flew into Lagos on the scheduled SAA flight on Friday 12th January and, taxing up to the sprawling terminal in Lagos International Airport, I saw first hand the effects of the Harmattan — the dry wind blowing off the Sahara which, for two months each winter, turns Nigeria’s skies a hazy, dust-laden yellow.
…OUR arrival in Okomu National Park after a four-hour drive was heralded by a spectacular change in scenery. The forest had been logged historically but is still largely intact and the height, structure and density of the tree cover are breathtaking.
In addition to a spectacular range of birds that was our primary target, it is still home to a number of forest elephant and buffalo, as well as a large variety of primates including a small (and very wary) troop of chimpanzees. It is also home to over 700 different butterfly species and the roads and paths through the forest were ablaze with colour and movement.
The drive through the forest to the lodge at Okomu Eco-resort was at midday and fairly rushed but we still managed great sightings of Fanti Sawwing and Eurasian Honey Buzzard plus spectacular views of the inappropriately-named Black Bee-eater — a gorgeous bird with a crimson throat and turquoise blue — streaked body.
The Okomu forest is characterised by a number of shallow lakes scattered through the forest and these have formed clearings of between 80 and 150 meters in diameter.
As two of these, viewing platforms have been built high into Cotton-Silk trees overlooking the clearings and we made for the newer of these after lunch.
The climb up is not for the faint-hearted or for anyone with a fear of heights – 36 meters straight up inside a lattice-work of wooden struts, and, with the 70 steps placed 450 millmetres apart, a great cardio-vascular workout. Once on the platform however it was all worth it. The view over the canopy was spectacular … and the birding was even better.
OVER the next two hours, I added sightings of numerous new birds. Most striking were the enormous White-thighed-, and Black-, Yellow-, and Black-and-White-casqued Hornbills whose heavy wing beats were clearly audible even across the clearing. Numbers of Piping-, and African Pied Hornbills brought the number of new members of this family to five for the trip and a host of smaller species – Velvet-mantled Drongo, Blue-throated Brown-, Buff-throated-, and Superb Sunbirds, (along with the more familiar Collared’s) plus Purple-headed Glossy-Starlings added colour and excitement.
Just before dusk forced us down from the platform, a series of calls echoed across the clearing. Parts sounded similar to those of a Red-, or Yellow-billed Hornbill but these were interspersed with a variety of eerie hooting sounds — creating for me one of the most vivid memories of this trip. Seconds later I was looking at my first Great Blue Turaco — a breathtaking bird that in spite of its large (about twice the size of our louries) size bounded with effortless grace through the canopy of an adjacent tree.
As we carefully descended, the plaintive-sounding whistles of a Fire-crested Alethe rose from the darkening forest below.
The following morning had us heading for the second platform – even higher at 38 meters above the forest floor. On the way we stopped to observe a large colony of Bristle-nosed Barbets nesting in a large dead tree stump.
There must have been at least 60 pairs of these strange dull-brown birds buzzing around and, with the possible exception of the Naked-faced Barbet, which we saw later; these have to be the ugliest members of this usually colourful family.
Great views of White-tailed Ant-Thrush feeding in the road and a tantalizingly brief glimpse of an African Pitta that flew out in front of our vehicle kept the list ticking over.
Our luck continued and our sojourn on the new canopy platform brought great views of
Cassin’s Hawk Eagle as well as the diminutive Lemon-breasted Crombec, Boiko Batis and a stunning Rufous-crowned Eremomela – a bird that makes our members of the genus look really dull and boring!
Speckled Tinkerbird – a rather large and strange-looking tinkerbird was next but this was followed by stunning views of a pair of Yellow-spotted Barbets, surely one of the most strikingly coloured members of the family.
Piercing whistles announced the arrival of a trio of African Grey Parrots and they repeatedly circled close overhead in response to Phil’s whistling.
What a difference seeing these birds in their natural setting – instead of a cramped cage! We decided to walk back to the lodge and added Red-headed-, Gray’s-, and Red-vented Malimbes an
Maxwell’s Black Weaver; Blue-headed Wood-Dove, as well as stunning views of Blue Cuckoo-Shrike and Green Hylia to the growing list.
OUR last morning saw a return to the first platform where we were treated to a spectacular show by five species of hornbill feeding opposite us. A party of Spotted Greenbuls and a single Mona Monkey later joined them.
Cassin’s Spinetail flitted through the canopy across the clearing, and the calls of Red-rumped Tinkerbird had me searching the trees – but unfortunately the bird remained elusive.
The walk back to the lodge brought great views of Red-tailed Greenbul and a brief stop at a fruiting Oil Palm gave us great views of all four species of tiny Negrofinch – Whitebreasted-,
Chestnut-breasted-, Grey-headed-, and Pale-fronted and then it was time to pack up and head for Lagos and our flight back to Johannesburg.
A Western Bluebill feeding on the road verge before we left the forest plus a flock of the local race of Village Weaver nesting with Veillot’s Black Weavers at a refuelling stop wrapped up a stunning five days.
The list for the trip stood at 127 species, but of these 56 were lifers! Not bad for a winter trip when birding is supposedly more difficult.
I can’t wait to get back to Okomu, and this time I want to also get up to the mountain forests of Cross River and, hopefully see my first Picathartes!!!
CALABAR CARNIVAL: The thrills
Monday, 4 January 2010
The Thrills of Calabar Carnival
BY ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWATHE excitement that trailed 2009 edition of Calabar Festival, which started on November 30, 2009, with the lighting of the Christmas tree at the Millennium Park by governor, Liyel Imoke, ended on January 1, 2010.
For the days that the celebrations lasted, there was no dull moment in Calabar, as tourists trooped into the ‘Canaan city,’ to partake in the 32-day funfair.
The carnival, which held on Sunday, December 27, 2009, was the major attraction for tourists and Calabar residents.
Millennium Park, the start-off point for the carnival, had begun to throb early in the morning, with participating bands taking vantage positions.
Governor Imoke, accompanied by his wife, and some members of his cabinet, as well as guests, which included governors Rotimi Amaechi of River State and Timpre Silva of Bayelsa, declared the fifth in the series of the yearly gathering birthed in 2005 open.
Freedom Band (dressed in its traditional yellow colour) led the train of the five traditional competing bands (Bayside – blue ; Passion 4 – green; Seagull – red and Masta Blasta – orange) alongside over 16 non-competing bands, the largest ever in the five-year history of the carnival to strut the route of about 12 kilometres terminating at the J. U. Esuene Stadium.
As observed by many, this edition of the carnival, in many respects, was quite fantastic and historic, being the first time it would hold in the afternoon; but despite the late start under a scorching sun and extending to the early hours of the day after, Monday, December 28, the people were in high spirits enjoying the performance.
AS promised by the organsiers, it turned out to be one of the biggest street parties with the streets of Calabar filled by people of all ages.
Mr. Olusegun Ajamolaya, captured the feeling: “Oh! Oh! It is marvellous. I started with the carnival. I was the aide-de-camp to former Governor Donald Duke. So, we started this and it has ever been fun and fun…. I am very, very happy and excited. This is a legacy that has been established and it would continue to grow from strength to strength.’’
The winner of Big Brother Africa Revolution, Nigerian Kevin Pam, who was one of the celebrities at the carnival, expressed similar sentiment. “It is wonderful. I was here last year in a different way, but right now it is a big event and I am glad that I am part of the history.”
According to Kevin, “It is wonderful, we need to come to Calabar every December to celebrate the carnival.’’
For Dr. Edwin. C. Nwabunike, Medical Director of Springs Hospital, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the family members had a memorable time in Calabar. He described the carnival as wonderful with power to attract large following.
Nwabunike said: “I learnt the Carnival started during the tenure of Donald Duke, which leaves the impression that good leadership would attract good following . I have also seen similar efforts from Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State. I urge him to keep it up, as his efforts would likely transform Port Harcourt for good.”
IMOKE expressed delight at the state’s ability to successfully host the carnival despite the limited resources of the state, adding that with the festival now having huge following, the challenge is for the state to maintain and surpass the appeal that it has created; he promised to make 2010’s edition greater. He also revealed that the state government is planning to ensure full participation of the private sector both in funding and organisation of the festival as from next year before ceding it to the private sector.
At the end of the carnival both Passion four and Seagull Bands emerged joint winners of the carnival. In the children’s category, Seagull Band won as band of the year aside winning the Queen in both the senior and junior categories as well as the Junior King category while Freedom Band won the Junior Queen.
NTDC’s Support
THE carnival for the first time, this year, enjoyed the support and participation of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC).
The DG of NTDC, Segun Runsewe, at the event, pledged further assistance to the carnival, especially in the areas of marketing and promotion both within and outside the country.
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