A LETTER FROM OBUDU
We have been singing the development of other places that started out at the same time as Nigeria – Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, etc – and lamenting how our Great Nation, rather than the Giant its potentials showed her to be, shrank to a dwarf, a midget, in the comity of developing nations. But Obudu has […]
We have been singing the development of other places that started out at the same time as Nigeria – Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, etc – and lamenting how our Great Nation, rather than the Giant its potentials showed her to be, shrank to a dwarf, a midget, in the comity of developing nations. But Obudu has at least shown me that there still is some hope for this country.
The Resort’s website further describes the place: “The Obudu Cattle Ranch, now known as the Obudu Mountain Resort is found in the Obanliku Local Government area in northern Cross River State. Situated at 1,700 metres above sea level, it is an area where the wonderful work of nature can be appreciated with its awesome and almost indescribable views. It is about 30 minutes drive from Obudu town and is about 332km and a five-hour drive from Calabar, the state capital.
“The Obudu ranch also has provision for access by air with its small airstrip at the nearby town of Bebi, and there is a presidential helipad at the peak of the ranch. The airstrip [used to, I was made to understand] attract regular flights by Aerocontractors from Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt via Calabar during peak periods.
“And then the marvellous Cable Car. Reputed to be one of the longest in the world, spanning a distance of eleven kilometres from the foothills to the resort, the system brings guests from the resort entrance at the bottom of the mountain to the top. And it is not for the fainthearted. [For the fainthearted, there is the uphill task of driving ten kilometres up a winding, meandering, treacherous mountain road which takes about forty minutes].
“Other attractions at the resort include the breathtaking Water Park with facilities for swimming and water slides for all tourists. Other attractions include cattle on the ranch which are bred for their fresh milk, butter, meat and cheese. Horses, waterfall, golf course, canopy walk, organised bonfires and beautiful views of mountains and the country-side complement the resort’s charm. There is also honey and yoghurt factories, and the ancient Anape village.
“The ranch equally boasts of conference centres as well as bungalows and chalets of varying sizes and styles to accommodate your budget. The presence of well-rated restaurants also ensures that you get quality meals while at the Ranch. The ranch community further offers a medical facility, schools, police post, fire brigade, etc. If you are looking for a place to go for that special occasion, a business-oriented retreat [such as the one I came for], a family holiday or you just need to take time off your busy schedule, Obudu Cattle Ranch is the perfect place. It is an experience of a lifetime.”
It sure is, I tell you. Other attractions at the resort include the Cataract View, Cameroon Border View Point, Bird Watching, Horse Riding, Becheve Nature Reserve, Mountain and Village Walk, Monkey Face View, etc.
Obudu is a Cross River State project (as the Tinapa Resort, near Calabar, is.) This state, although in the South South, is one of the ‘poorest’ in terms of receipts from the Federation Account. Having lost almost all its oilfields (and the thirteen percent derivation therefrom them) to neighbouring Akwa Ibom State (which was a spinoff as Jigawa is to Kano) due to the onshore-offshore palaver, Cross River State has been able to initiate such enduring, even if not as yet profitable, projects.
But for everything, there must be drawbacks. The matter of electricity, which is a national issue, stares one in the face here. Tourists cannot believe, or accept, that electricity would have to go out at a certain period of the night. There is a robust debate on this particular matter on the Obudu Resort website www.obuducattleranch.info. Let the tourists speak for themselves:
“I have to say that it’s a massive disappointment that I cannot decide to relax in my room during the day due to the fact that there is no electricity. I don’t think that anyone in their right senses would visit a resort as expensive as Obudu knowing that electricity is available for just 10 hours a day.”
“What a shame. For a place like that, electricity is essential (24/7). It is so sad.”
“The scheduled electricity supply time frame was sufficient for things I needed done. I was highly pleased with the reception from the time I was transported up the 1750m from ground level to the top of LH till the time I left. My goodness! I felt like I was in heaven and not wanting to believe I was in Nigeria.”
“It’s really funny that the majority of the people complaining about lack of electricity are those who have no no electricity in their hometowns. Typical of Nigerians who are always quick to run down and bring down any good initiative. I am looking forward to staying at Obudu (I am coming from Canada where I can assure you that there is light 24hrs) because it looks like a wonderful opportunity to relax and enjoy nature at its best.”
“My dear, no light no life!”
“In Obudu, there is sunlight (solar power);
In Obudu, there is are waterfalls (hydro power);
In Obudu, you are on a hill (wind power);
Yet you run diesel generators.God help us trigger our thinking in Nigeria!”
On my own part, I believe Obudu is a work in progress. If the access to the resort is improved (too far from anywhere); if an amusement park is established to attract families with children, if the electricity situation is addressed, I think Nigeria has something to be proud of. In fact, we can be proud of Obudu. Good Resort, Great State.
Happy New Year from Obudu. (And oh, the fireworks on New Year’s Eve was superb.) A Hausa musician once sang: “Aikin Da Wuya Hawan Arfa” on the difficulty of Hajj rites. I hasten to add: “Aikin Da Wuya Hawan Obudu”. Forget Dubai, bring your wife here!