MY DEMOCRACY TOUR TO THE ANCIENT CITY OF ILORIN, NIGERIA 🇳🇬

Prior to the Durbar Festival coming up in the ancient city of Ilorin later in the month of June ( a day after salah celebration ), I took the bold step to visit Ilorin again for a democracy tour. Every 12th of June is a public holiday ( democracy day ) in my country.

It took me 2hrs plus to get to Ilorin via a public transport from the capital of Oyo State, Ibadan. I got a ride from Ojoo Terminal Bus and we set out for the trip. Though, it was late in the evening before I got to the park. The journey was a smooth one as we drove through Oyo town, Ogbomosho and finally, we arrived Ilorin.

We got to Ilorin around 10pm in the night. I put a call through to a colleague in the industry and my accommodation was sorted out. I got to bathroon and had some shower. My colleague gave me a nice treat ( combo of rice and beans with a delicious fish stew & boiled egg ). We gisted and I went to bed for the night rest.

Fast forward, I chose to visit the Kwara State Cultural Centre which is around Geri Alimi side of the state capital, Ilorin. This is one of the very few places you can visit in Ilorin with your family to pass time. They host stage play majorly on Nigerian Culture as it relates to what is happening in our lives.

I also went on a trip to the largest source of portable drinking water in the ancient city of Ilorin. From what I gathered, I learnt that 80% of the water supply used by the people of Ilorin is gotten from this destination called Asa Dam.

Asa Dam is one of the destinations in Ilorin. Also, it’s the source of water for fisheries, irrigation and livestock development. The water treatment plant was commissioned in 1978 and has a capacity of 25 million gallons of clear water per day under operation.

I actually love to experience the local way of life anytime I’m on tour. It makes someone like me to connect easily and also, genuinely interact with the local communities. What is ordinary for the local community is a unique experience for we travellers.

After I explored Asa Dam, I took my time to visit one of the National Museums we have in my country and which is in Ilorin. I’ve actually been to several Museums in my country like Odua Museum in Ibadan, Kuti Heritage Museum in Abeokuta, Badagry Heritage Museum and the likes but this is my first time visiting a National Museum site.

I learnt that each state in my country 🇳🇬 has a National Museum majorly to provide easy education on Nigeria’s Cultural Heritage and also, to preserve our different historical artifacts. Thanks to my tour guide Muideen Yusuf ( a passionate tourism promoter ) who made this possible.

My democracy tour to the ancient city of Ilorin won’t be complete without exploring and hiking Ilorin’s highest point… Sobi Hills!! I completed my biking tour around Ilorin ( Geri Alimi, Saw Mill, Oja Oba, Challenge, Shao, Post Office ) before getting to Sobi Community where the destination which is 394m above the mean sea level is located.

Sobi Hills is one of the nicest places in Ilorin to hang out and enjoy a picnic with family and friends. It provides a 360 degree view of the ancient city of Ilorin. A breathtaking one so to say!

It is a site of prayer where people feel they can interact and hear God. People come to worship often and it’s one of the few sites in my country🇳🇬 where both christians and muslims visit to observe their prayers.

The rock has distinct characteristics such as marked white lines. These white lines point the way to a simple technique to climb the rock. What a destination! I had fun. I took amazing unaware pictures. Think Ilorin, think Sobi Hills

Hiking Sobi Hills was actually the end of my democracy tour to Ilorin. It was an amazing day. This tour got me like, Ilorin is a destination on its own. I did explore four different amazing destinations in a day. What a moment! I had fun!

Thanks for joining me on my trip to the ancient city of Ilorin which I tagged Democracy Tour. Thanks for your time.

Name – Olaniyan Samuel
Email – olaniyantravels001@gmail.com
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