THINGS TO DO IN NIGERIA THIS SUMMER

There are other things you can do in Nigeria this summer.They  include the following:

BADAGRY FESTIVAL IN LAGOS STATE

 The motive behind this festival is to celebrate the eras of slave trade in Badagry .It tends to reconnect the indigenes to their roots and to recognize the significance of the place during the slavery period. This festival is usually held on the 3^rd week of  August annually. Its  agendas include ,The Oba Akran Football Competition, Arts and Crafts Competition, Masquerade Carnival, Nature and Water sports and many more. The International Day for the Remembrance of Slave Trade and Its Abolition is also celebrated during this festival. The 2015 Badagry Festival is slated to hold from the 16^th to 30^th of August 2015. Tourists can visit the ancient monuments in Badagry during this time too.

 

Source: www.exclusivetourservices.com

         
                                                                                        Source:www.lipstickalley.com

THINGS TO DO IN NIGERIA THIS SUMMER

                                         The grass so green,the sun so bright,
                                         Life seems a dream,no worries in sight

                                         The grass soon fades,leaves begin to fall,
                                         School replaces sleepovers,oh I'll miss it all.

                                                                                             Source: www.familyfriendpoems.com 

Everyone just talks about summer like it doesn’t exist in Nigeria. People often think Summer is and must be spent abroad.For those who are carried  away by the Summer Craze and those who feel that it must be spent abroad cos it doesn’t exist in Nigeria,it does exist just that we don’t call it Summer.We call it Rainy Season. There are activities that could make your Summer beautiful….Lets ride!!!!!!!!

                                                                 Ina Olojumerindinlogun                            

                                                                                                  Source; www.royaltimes.net

The Osun Oshogbo Festival (10^th-22^nd August 2015);

 This festival lasts for 2weeks,usually in the month of August.It is done yearly.The indigenes see it as a time to spiritually cleanse the land and also an avenue to reunite with family members.

 It begins with the traditional cleansing of Iwopopo;the ancient town.Then 3days after, the lighting of the 500-year-old sixteen-point lamp called 'Ina Olojumerindinlogun' takes place, then an assemblage of the crowns of the past rulers which is led by the Yeye Osun,the sitting Ataoja of Osogbo and the Arugba, and a committee of priestesses. 

The participants usually wear white and it takes place in the famous Osun Grove a sacred forest along the banks of the Osun River. Tourists all over the world. and non-indigenes are allowed to partake in this festival.......More activities coming.

ABIA STATE- God's own State

Abia a state carved out from Imo State in 1991 and it is located in the South Eastern Part of Nigeria.The capital is Umuahia and the major commercial city is Aba. 95% of the Aba people are predominatly Igbo people It is one of the nine states of the Niger Delta region. Abia people are of the Igbo ethnic group. Abia people are mainly Christians.Abia is an acronym for the four major groups in Abia State namely Abia, Bende, Isiukwuato and Afikpo. They are known  to be hardworking, highly market oriented and entrepreneurial.

                                                           Abia State Tower in Umuahia

 Traveling to Abia can be done by air,road,water or even by rails. One can go with Road Transporters like GOD IS GOOD, PEACE MASS TRANSIT and others.Abia can also be reached by air.The Owerri Airport (Sam Mbakwe Cargo Airport), is the nearest airport to Abia State. It’s about an hour drive to Aba; one can also come through PortHarcourt International Airport, 3 hours to Umuahia and about two hours to Abia. One can also come through the Uyo airport. Aba usewd to be connected to Port Harcourt by rails but I do not know if it still is. Some Coastal parts of Abia State are accessible by boats and canoes too.


TOURIST ATTRACTIONs

WAR MUSEUM UMUAHIA




There are a lot of tourist attractions in Abia State. One of the places you should visit in Abia is the National War Museum in Umuahia. If you are a big fan of history, you’ll really love this place. You get to see all you’ve read in books. Here you’ll see the remains of the arms, bunkers ,tankers, the planes, and ammunition that were used for wars in the olden days.

                                          Aircraft used by the Biafran Soldiers. Photo Credit- Wikipedia

                                                       The National War Museum entrance


We have all heard or read of the Biafran War and all the fights, the struggles, the tears, the pains and victory of the war and the labour of our heroes past. I bet you didn’t know that most of the Tankers that were used for  the Biafra war were made by the Biafrans. Unbelievably, it took them about thirty months to construct the fully tiled bunker. The guide says that the Biafra radio was at that same place and that was were they were transmitting from. I really won’t want to give you all the gist here. I challenge us all to go see for ourselves…..tongue out.

AROCHUKWU CAVE

This is where slaves where hoarded in the olden days.it is also a slave route and the Ibini Ukpabi Shrine is located here.the elders also gather her to deliberate importatnt issues

                                          The Arochukwu cave-Photo Credit www.nigerianbulletin.com

 This place is a very adventurous place to be but truth is, if you are not stronghearted, please do not enter the cave.I leave the rest of the experience to you.

AZUMINI BLUE BEACH

                                                          Azumini Blue beach- Photo credit- www.theplatformonline.com
  This beach is found  in Azumini town, Ukwa East LGA, a blue beach surrounded by transparent stones and fine sand.Activities like, fishing, boating, yachting and skiing can be done here. One can relax here;there are tents, chairs, tables,Suya stands,barbeque grills and other edibles. This beach is about thirty minutes drive from Aba. this beach is really a good picnic venue.

ARIARIA MARKET
Listed to be among part of the biggest markets in Nigeria is the Ariaria market. Located in Aba. This market is part if the reasons why Aba is called the Commercial capital of Abia State

                                                   Ariaria Market-Photo Credit-www.hotels.ng
You can try window shopping in this market.You can also stop by for delicious Ofe akwu with Rice, Fio-Fio (Guinea-Bean) or Beans porridge and roasted plantain wheeled aroud the market.And Yes! Someone once sang a song and said that several human parts are sold in Ariaria market! I really dunno how true it is. You can enquire when you get there!!

There are many other places to go to in Aba and Abia State at large.I will bring the to your notice soon.If there are places you've visited and feel we can visit too,please do not hesitate to share them with us.We will really appreciate it.

Lodging isn't much of a problem as there are hotels in and out of Aba.I will soon be going on a tour and I promise to do a post on Hotels one can comfortably lodge in without breaking the bank.

I hope you enjoy your stay in Abia!