As part of Their goals to promote tourism destinations in Nigeria, The Nigeria Tourism Lovers took up the task of sponsoring over 100 tourist who has never been to Idere Hills.
Located in the heart of Ibarapa Central local government area is Idere Hills popularly known as the new wonder of Oyo state
Idere hills, rich in tourism generally both culturally and historically ranging from their food, dialect, Music, festivals, hills and caves.
The destination manager Mr Olugbenga Sunday had done an excellent job in promoting the destination bringing tourists from all over the country to enjoy the sights and sounds of the hills.
In the past, Idere Hills won the award as one of the top 20 natural wonders in Nigeria and as part of its achievements a Nigeria foremost destination promoters called Nigeria Tourism Lovers has decided to sponsor over 100 tourism enthusiasts to Idere hills during the Easter period.
The tour was scheduled for 17th and 18th of April 2022 as tourist arrive in their numbers at the takeoff point (Ikeja City Mall, Lagos state)
At exactly 8:00am , registration and reservation of seat began with 3 coaster Buses on ground to convey the tourist to the destination.
READ: Africa: Mindblowing as NTL set to sponsor 100 Tourism Enthusiasts to Idere Hills this Easter
Arriving Idere hills in less than 4hours with a grand welcome by the community, and the Onidere of Idere land who welcomed us in in style with talking drummers on display
He expressed his happiness and his heart was filled with delight who also told us a short history of Idere and how the land came into existence.
From there we took out time for lunch as this was my first time eating Egusi soup served with Pounded yam and retiring to the hotel room which seems to be like a 5 star hotel in the community.
Later at night, we all gathered at the community square ready to consume a wide variety of local delicacies ranging from Ewa Otili, Ewa Iganji, Akara, Eko, Moi moi Etc and that was how the night ended.
Day 2: Waking up to the cool weather getting ready for the day’s adventure
Leaving the hotel around 9am and gathering at a popular roundabout in the community, after eating breakfast to our satisfaction, the exchange of gift began as this is the period of Easter.
We all boarded the bus and headed for the hills as our tour guide led the hiking.
We had our first stop over at Idopa – Idopa in Yoruba language means ‘where walking stick and staff are submitted’ by chiefs, baales and lesser oba’s that came visiting as Onidere is a strong royalty.
Next was Yara – Yara means room in Yoruba language. It is the real main gate to the town on the hills proper.
The wall on either side is rocky and approximately about 40ft in length, 18ft in height, and about 6ft apart.
It served the trio purpose of security gate with inlet and outlet, room or office for the guards, and the top to the right (Iho Eja) for the snipers.
Hiking the hills was scheduled to take about 4 hours due to the tour guide telling us histories and stories about all the significant points in the destination
Moving on towards the summit of the hills, we sighted Omi Eja – this is a hole on the rock to the right side of Yara that looks like a fish indentation into the rock.
Its water is meant for commercial laundry and other forms especially during the dry season before getting to Eeyore – which is the natural water pool on Idere hills. It is a big indentation with water storage capacity of approximately over 12,000L which is sufficient to support the community then even during the dry season.
Its water is majorly for household and agricultural purposes.
Another 3 minutes’ walk was the defense wall, specially formulated and constructed; it has holes for sighting and shooting. It has withstood wind, sun, rain for over 200 years.
It is one of the major relics on Idere hills.
Few meters away from the defense wall towards the summit of the hills is Aroye – meaning ‘we can see and understand’.
It is a three layered rock formation. It is a post/office for the secret police/spy.
Areas in front of ‘Yara’ can easily be seen and findings communicated to the guards and palace for coordination with a cave close by which was formally the palace of Onidere of Idere land
Heading towards the summit of the hills was another 5 minutes’ walk, the fact that we were about the conquer the summit of the hills gave us more energy to press further.
Finally, we got to the summit of Idere hills which was ascertained to be the tallest point of the hill
We had to rest for a while before taking a group picture.
The fact that there were lots of stopovers and tourist dancing while hiking the hills was a lot of fun and never to be forgotten experience
We hiked down the summit of the hills as we rested for a while exchanging greetings as we headed back to Lagos.
Idere hills has become a destination where we all have to repeat visits and never get tired of the experience and hospitality it has to offer
Special thanks to the organizers, the destination managers, Aeroport school of Aviation, Skyeland, Universal school of Aviation, Aerovessel school of Aviation, WABIO place, Olabaf travel and tours, Getitome, Finchglow, Anago Osho Adventures, PAMS travel, Triplisters, DHARR travels, Casadelamo, Terad concept, Travel with Mariam, Mardis travels, Exodus Aviation Academy, Magsha Africa, Tojum Hospitality, Idere Descendant Vanguard, Travel with Sam, Grin Ace, Angelstyle , Shimmers Production, and ATQNEWS for making the trip a success.
By Patrick Wisdom
