TOURIST PLACE

TOURIST PLACE
IKOGOSI
….the place where nature meets soul.
Driving all the way from Lagos to Ado Ekiti is no longer a new thing. Infact, I can do it two times in a day. With this new EKITI BOND we have traveled to Ekiti more than 15 times in 3months summing up to the number of times I have done it in 8years. Its o.k.! At least for my loving state sake, I can anything in celebrating it.

A visit to Ikogosi warm spring is one of those things that are very important to us during this project. A lot of research went into it. ikogosi is our own first choice of place of tourism in Ekiti. We saw nature at work or I should just say God at work. Hot water from cracks in the rocks and cold water from rock as well, just like the time of Moses in the Bible. You might have read about it, heard about it but if you have not been there, you are missing out.
IKOGOSI: THE PLACE OF NATURAL SPRING
The drive from Ado Ekiti the state capital to ikogosi was smooth and short than expected maybe because we were in group but whichever way you move, your drive from Ado Ekiti to Ikogosi would only be 25minutes max and 5minutes to the warm spring. Ikogosi is located in the south-western zone of Ekiti and it has its boundary with Igbara Odo to the west and Ilawe Ekiti to the East. The warm spring is well situated on a cool, calm zone of the town with a unique topography nature, slope, flat and slightly hilly area.

THE SPRING
Naturally, ikogosi town seems to be a town of many springs and stream. A lot of young and old people were seen going into the streams to get water rather than the borehole and wells, maybe because they believe the natural things are much safer. Well! I share their view. A recent research conducted shows that people who lives around this type of area around the world live much longer. No diarrhea, no cholera as seen in some other towns. Natural springs are found to contain some natural minerals which are good for health.

Scientifically speaking, springs are underground water that comes through the crevices in the aquifer (underground water-bearing permeable rock) to the surface of the Earth. Though spring are not new but warm springs are not so common and that’s more reason ikogosi warm spring is unique. Just like other spring, Ikogosi warm spring part has its source from crevices on a top of a high ground rocks. The water flows out at a moderately rate and could be described as a second magnitude spring. The spring never runs dry. We could not get to the source of the cold spring; it is about 2km away from the source of the warm spring. Our instructor who was taking us round was not ready for the adventure but I think it’s for another day or next time you are on vacation visiting, try checking it out!
THE NATURAL ENDOWMENT
Have you ever thought of serene Place, beautiful green land, wonderful landscape, TRANQUIL environment, unimaginable natural water fall, pure refreshing spring, I mean anything your soul desire for best relaxation and vacation? Try visit Ikogosi you will find all. I mean ALL. Normally, trees have their roots in the soil but most of the tree seen have large parts of their root above the surface which mostly are 7 – 9ft tall. You need to see what I’m talking about. The trees don’t really look like the normal ones we see all around, the roots have dome shape forming a shield or a shelter. Take the adventure and relax under the shield, its fun.

ON VACATION ?
I once read that New York City is as rough as Lagos, much hustling and bustling 24hrs. The attack on the foreigners in South Africa is no longer a story. London? Don’t forget it’s not your father’s land so anyone could harass you. Lagos traffic is killing, its getting worse everyday even with the invention of BRT (kudos to Gov. Fashola). The un-welcoming cost of living in Abuja is alarming. Did anyone say Dubai? Well, good place to be but why spending that much to get the fun when you could just check inn into ikogosi hotel at a very cheaper cost. All facilities are available and you could actually see, feel, touch, taste nature in its natural habitat. Birds sings, the spring smile with little clap at the source, the tree dance and so many you could see at the park. You and your family could have single or double room apartments for the number of days of your visit. PHCN will always have their way, in actual fact they never supply the town with light for years (the Gov. Oni government is working seriously on that) but you could be sure that a Generator that power the park is o standby. Unlike other swimming pool, ikogosi swimming pool is of natural water that flows in from one end and flows out through another outlet. Just imaging how renewing that could be to your body and soul.

During my third and fourth year in University of Lagos, I had an opportunity to travel to Ghana to times. All we went to see was just capecoast slave prison and kumasi school of sciences. We lodged in Accra which is about 2 and half hours to our places of visit. Did I enjoy it, you asked? Yes I did to the fullest. Driving through the road was much fun. So also next time you are in town, visit Ikogosi and if don’t want to lodge in the hotel in there because its not 5 stars (which it will soon be) , lodge in Ado Ekiti, Pathfinder Hotel(recommended) its just 30minutes to the park and you will enjoy your vacation all the days long.
Life is good when we learn to ENJOY it. It could be more INTERESTING when we learn to appreciate it. It could be much SWEETER when we learn more about NATURE. Ikogosi is one of those places you would visit and your soul will appreciate nature.

Why not take a trip to the park on your next vacation and see GOD and NATURE at work. IKOGOSI: The place where nature touch soul.
However, Government and private investors should try and do more about the park. Make it more beautiful and through this we could generate more income to the state by attracting more tourists. It is our heritage. It is an historical site, a national monument.