Tuesday, 22 October 2013

TOURIST CENTRES IN NIGERIA

There are many tourist sites in Nigeria.  The following are some well known sites.
 
ABIA STATE
Tourist centres include the National War Museum, Umuahia, the Azumini Blue River,  Ukwa East, and the Long Juju of Arochukwu.
 
ADAMAWA STATE
It has historical places of interest like the Lamido's palace (the seat of Emir  of Adamawa in Yola, Old Palace of Harriman Yaji at Madagali German rule, German Rest House at Kowogol) and a host of other places of interest.
 
AKWA IBOM STATE
Notable among the tourist attraction are the Ibeno Beach which stretches over 330 km along the Atlantic Coast line of the State with excellent opportunities for water sporting. Others include the Mobil Tank Farm, the Oron Museum, the Ibom Connection etc.
 
BAUCHI STATE
Tourist attraction include the Yankari Game reserve, Premier Game Reserve, Rock Paintings at Goji and Shira, the State Museum among others.
 
BAYELSA STATE
Tourist attractions include its numerous beaches, fishing festivals, the canoe war displays and boat regattas and dances.
 
BORNO STATE
Tourist attractions include the Kyarimi Park in Maiduguri for animal and bird
lovers and where the only captured hippopotamus in West Africa  is harboured, the Shehu's Palace, Rabeh's Fort at Dikwa, Yamtarawala tomb at Biu. Others are Lake Chad, Sambissa Game Reserve and Jaffi falls among others.
 
CROSS RIVER STATE
The important tourist attractions are Obudu Cattle Ranch, Obudu, Old Residency Museum, Calabar, Agbokin Waterfalls, Ikom, Etanpim Cave, in Odukpani local government area and Mary Slessor's Tomb, Calabar, Cross River National Park and Kwa Falls in Akamkpa local government area, Obubra Lake, Obubra and the Calabar Cenotaph, Calabar. Beaded works which are a peculiarity of Cross River State are sold in crafts shops. Common works are beaded bags, beaded wall hangings, shoes, Ekpe masquerade
made with rafia, cane chairs, brass trays, rafia clocks, motif work and a lot more.
 
EBONYI STATE
There tourist attraction in the state include: the Ndibe Beach at Afkpo, Uburu Salt Lake, Uburu, Ishiagu Pottery works, Ishiagu.
 
EDO STATE
Edo State has a rich cultural heritage. Benin City, the state capital is famous for its unique bronze, brass and ivory works of arts which are found all over the world in museums. Tourist attractions in the State are the Royal Palace of Benin, Benin Museum, Benin Moat (Iya), Emotan Status, Somorika Hills in Akoko-Edo. Others are Udo Tourist Centre in Esan East local government area and Okomu Wildlife Sanctuary near Benin City.
 
EKITI STATE
Ekiti State is a popular tourist haven. The popular Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort is located in Ikogosi, Ekiti. Other tourist attractions are Arinta Water falls, Ipole-Iloro, Olosunta Hills, Ikere-Ekiti, Fajuyi Memorial Park, Ado-Ekiti, Ero Dam, Ikun-Ekiti, Egbe Dam, Egbe-Ekiti and Natural Caves in Ikere-Ekit.  Closely linked to the
tourism potencial of the state is the festivals that are held seasonally.

Tourist Attractions in Nigeria

Nigeria is a land blessed with many natural and human resources. Nature has endowed Nigeria with a good design that is so attractive that Nigeria makes one of the most naturally picturesque nations in the world. Nigeria is an adventure, simply put.
Tourist attractions abound in Nigeria, ranging from natural attractions like hills, waterfalls, springs, lakes, mountains, rocks, beaches, etc; Olumo Rock in Abeokuta, Obudu Cattle Ranch, Man made attractions like resorts, parks, game reserves, ranches, etc; and Cultural attractions such as Festivals, carnivals, etc. The tourist attractions in Nigeria are spread out in the different states that make up the federation. Tourists come to Nigeria to enjoy its picturesque cites, some of which are natural wonders, its artistic treasures, beautiful beaches, resorts, parks, festivals and food. Tourism in Nigeria is one of the countries bourgeoning service activities, with the government and individuals doing much to improve and expand the countrys tourist facilities.
Tinapa, the first integrated business and leisure resort in Nigeria, with world Class facilities for business, leisure and entertainment, located in Calabar; the Agbokin and Kwa Falls; a Game Reserve at Okwangwo in Obudu local government and Oban Forest Reserves both of which were combined to create the Calabar National Park.; the Boshi Game Reserve; the Mary Slessor Cottage; and a National Museum. In Akwa Ibom, there is the Oron Museum famous for its collection of fine African
carvings; the Ibeno Beach, and the Opobo Boatyard with its natural sand beaches at Ikot Abasi. Ojukwu Bunker in Abia wherein relics and inventions of the Nigeria civil war are displayed.
Lagos State, the former national capital is proud of her many tourist centres/attraction. These include the long stretch of beaches from Lekki Beach to Alpha Beach; Tarkwa Bay Beach;
Badagry Coconut Beach; Eleko Beach; Kuramo Beach widely noted for night beaching; Maiyegun Beach; the French Village; the National Theatre; the Murtala Mohammed Memorial Botanical Garden; Ogun State is naturally prettified with the Olumo Rock, a massive outcrop of granite rocks of primitive formation, the highest point of which is about 137m above sea level in Abeokuta among others. Nature’s gift of the Ikogosi Warm Spring located in Ekiti State. The warm water from the rock meets with cold water stream 100m below. It has lodging facilities. Nigeria is also proud of the Erin-Ijesha Water Falls in Osun State;Ibadan University Zoo, Agodi Zoological Garden, Upper Ogun Games Reserve.
Finally, Abuja, the beautiful and well- planned National Capital is a must-visit for all tourists for while the Zuma Rock greets you welcome, the large Aso Rock hills tells you; the sitting of Federal Capital Territory is here.
Many of Nigerian cultural festivals also have tourist appeal. We cannot forget the buzz and excitement that goes with the Argungu Fishing Festival (Kebbi State), established in the 1930s and that is held between February and March annually and that attracts over 5,000 fishermen into the Argungu village to compete to catch the biggest Nile perch.
In Ogun state, there are the Egungun festival, the Oro festival, Agemo festival, Obinrin Ojowo festival, and the Igunnuko Masquerades. Oyo States Ibadan delights in the Ode-Ibadan festival.
Even though tourist services in the nation, at the moment, is not at its peak, the industry is still flourishing with more than 1,000,000 tourists coming into the nation annually from neighbouring African countries and the continent over. Nigerians are good and hospitable people. Nigerian Hotels are a delight and most offer tour/travels services. The likes of the NICON NOGA Hilton Hotel Abuja, Sheraton Hotels, Newcastle Hotels Lagos/Imo state, Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos, Southern Sun Ikoyi Hotel, Lagos, etc to mention but a few. Travel broadens the mind and Tourism is life. This is the secret to enjoying your tourist experience of Nigeria. Visit Nigeria today and be rapt by its beauty. You are welcome!

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