Travelogue: Exploring sights, sounds of Minna, Niger State

The invitation was too good to be refused. My host thought I could benefit from a trip to check out Minna, the capital of Niger State and offered to facilitate it. This was a chance to be in the power state, the home of two former Presidents of Nigeria – Generals Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida and Abdusalam Abubakar – and home to the country’s major hydroelectric power centres.

Finally, they came and the journey to Minna had begun in earnest. I could not concede my excitement as we journeyed through, passing  the beautiful and unique natural work of rock formation in Madalla. Of course, I am talking about the famous ZUMA ROCK!  The giant rock is believed to possess certain powers that rendered enemies powerless and provided the natives with a good hiding place in those years of inter – ethnic wars…. It was a beautiful sight really and I was thrilled.

The journey to Minna was a smooth one, though long and we had to ride on rough road behind Suleja, Dikko, Izom, and Lambata and heading to Gurara.At a point, I was getting tired and kept asking if we were close. My host would often respond to assure me: ‘very soon ma, it’s the bad road o.’ However, beams of hopes splashed on me when we got to Paiko junction and he told me we would be in Minna very soon. .. With a deep sigh, I mumbled “Alhamdulilah”. Can’t wait!

Few minutes later, the metropolis of Minna welcomed us in its beauty through the well proportioned boulevard.  It was a sunny day and one could see the glitz, the elegant road lights, the smoothly tarred road with a green median strip separating the opposing lanes, the  structures,  among which are the West African Examination Council (WAEC)building and the State College of Education. Billboards advertising different products/persons among others and how the people went about their normal activities with all seriousness left me intrigued.

We drove to Nasfah Hotels around the southern turban of Minna in Tunga, directly behind the famous Shiroro Hotel. The hotel is located in a quiet area and a stone throw to the ever busy Shehu Kangiwa road. It is a three-star hotel with all the modern features

I rested for a while and we drove out later same day to a super market to get some of the things I would be needing to make my stay comfy. On our way back, we stopped at the famous Mallam Garba’s suya spot to buy balingu.. Moments later, I was back to the hotel, had dinner, top it with balingu and went to bed. Such a long day!

I woke up the next morning feeling strong and well rested from the journey to the city yesterday. I had planned to visit the Nasfah Guest House. To get to the Guest House, we drove through major streets in Minna.  From the Shehu Kangiwa road to a roundabout  connecting us to the ever busy Bosso road. Along that road are the Central Bank, famous Mobil Park, Gionee large mobile shop and other catchy outlets. We made a diversion from Bosso road to Yakubu Lami road which leads to the Government House.

The Government House was a sight to behold. The blue and white painted structure had these “no nonsense” looking security men at the entrance. And yes! I could see it from afar.  Going further down the road was a bye-pass to London Street which finally leads us to the Guest House. The Guest House has a beautiful view because it is sited on a hill. One can virtually see the whole of Minna from just peeping through the window there. In Bruno Mars voice “Lucky for me that am what I like “. I spent some time there and was back to the hotel later at night to sleep.

The next morning felt brand new and the next place to visit was the Gurara Waterfalls. It was on a Monday, we set out at noon. We drove round the city once again for me to catch some other major parts of Minna before going to Gurara; amongst which were the General Hospital that is adjacent to the hospital for children, and the Kure market; a popular large market located along the Old Airport road – it is a modern market with infrastructure, space and security, and it has several entrances and up to 20 gates. It was built and commissioned by former Governor Abdulqadir Abdullahi Kure, hence its being named after him.

The temporary campus of Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna on Bosso Road was also another exciting sight. Prior to the relocation to their permanent site, all academics activities were taking place there. It is significant that the campus is still much functional as I learnt that it houses at present some faculties and the School of Postgraduate Studies. The Air Force Cantonment was by the road side on the way to the Minna airport. We didn’t need to go inside the Airport because it has not been fully functional for some time except for private planes and helicopters on charter.

And then there was the main campus of FUT, Minna at Gidan Kwano. It was such a beautiful sight to behold, with students going in and out about their normal activities. Another thing that caught my attention was the students lodges scattered along the road to the main campus. They had such awkward, but intriguing names amongst which are, SMS lodge, Sambisa Quartez, Boko Haram Villa, Sai Baba lodge etc. Funny right? I thought so too! But I’m not shocked though, students are so like that!

I have always wanted to visit Gurara.  It’s a quiet town located on the North of Niger and whenever people talk about Gurara, one image that comes to the mind is the Gurara waterfalls. According to history, the Gurara falls and river were named after two gods once worshipped by Gwari people: Gura and Rara. The community around the waterfalls used to worship the falls. If they had any problems, they used to go to the waterfalls to pray and make sacrifices. However, when some Europeans discovered the falls in 1925, they turned it into a recreational area, and so the sacrifices were stopped. Interesting story!

After about an hour or so on the road, I presumed we were already at the Gurara Waterfalls entrance as our car came to a wobbled halt, where we had to pay to gain access.  I was excited! Gurara Falls, here I am! The waterfalls were one of the most popular tourist sites in Nigeria.  I wanted to see everything and of course there was a tour guide to show us round. How can I describe what I saw? I can’t, it’s impossible. You just have to experience it! To gaze in wonder at that magnificent cliff over which the waters tumbled, forming a massive pool about 50 metres below. The waters, running rapidly over rocks, appeared to be boiling underneath. Consistent rains gave the waterfall volume and strength I guess and that intrigued me. I was scared to go close.  It wasn’t hydrophobia; I was only trying to avoid a story that touches the heart.

The roaring sound of the waterfall, let alone the strong force of the running water over rocks, which resembled the motion of a diesel truck run amok, was enough to intimidate and scare even the daredevil adventurer. Yes, it was that massive! Nevertheless, to warn reckless fun seekers, there are sign posts erected in the arrival area and in the waters forbidding tourist from swimming. It would simply be suicidal.

The tour guide led us down other parts of the falls, we trekked on a rough path, climbing hills and going down slopes… but the sight that awaited us was more than worth the effort!  I really liked the view, the rocks and the water in between; Gurara Waterfalls is also a fantastic place for bird watching. I didn’t want to leave, but Minna was about another one hour drive from Gurara Falls, so we have got to get going… It’s getting late, but one thing was sure: I had fun! I think everyone should visit Gurara waterfalls at least once in their life to experience its unique wonder.

We drove back to Minna at the same speed while talking about my experience back there. We got back safely, bought dinner from ‘Aroma’ restaurant along Shehu Kangiwa road and went straight to the room at the hotels. It had been such a long and exciting day.

IBBUL was the next on my Niger State tour list. We set out before noon and it was about an hour journey from Minna to Lapai where the Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida University was located. IBBUL is a beautiful school; the structure and plan are all on point. Each department has its own parking lot. I had the opportunity to see the Head of Department of Mass Communication, Dr Ende. He was a humble man with a strict look. He has good communication skills but of course he should, he’s a communicator. He took me to the department’s library where we had a brief discussion about the department before coming back to his office.

All of a sudden, it dawned on me that I have to leave Minna after spending almost a week, but not without finally accommodating going through Minna uphill to see the residences of General Babangida and Abubakar. Arriving at the Abdusalam Abubakar Park for the journey out of Minna, the clichéd expression was completely and fittingly true for me: the more you travel, the more you realize how much more you have to see. I couldn’t believe how much it has been exciting for me to take in the sights and sounds of Minna and its environs. As they say, the time between meeting …and finally leaving is sometimes called falling in love, and so it has been for me: sure that I would want to return because of this!

 

• Yakubu is of the Department of Mass Communication, Kogi State University, Anyigba.