By Elijah Adebero
Top 5 tourist attractions to visit in Ekiti State
Beyond being a land of professors, Ekiti State is home to many tourist attractions. As a result, it is place to visit for both local and foreign tourists. Here are five must-visit resources in the state saluted as the land of honour and glamour – Ile iyi, ile eye:
IKOGOSI WARM SPRINGS
The IKOGOSI Warm Springs is a popular tourist attraction in Nigeria. Before I visited it for the second time, I spoke with some people and most of them had been to this place.
It is located at Ikogosi, which is also a town in the state. Flowing along it is the cold spring which meets the warm spring at a confluence while they both maintain the thermal properties.
Imagine two waters (Hot and Cold) flowing close to each other without either losing it’s thermal properties. Won’t it be a wonderful night to behold and a wonderful experience?
FAJUYI MEMORIAL PARK
The Fajuyi Memorial Park is situated in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital. It was built in memory of the late Col. Adekunle Fajuyi, the former military governor of the Western Region, who was killed alongside General Agunyi Ironsi during the first military coup in Nigeria. The park was built to serve as the last resting place in honour of the late Ironsi.
It is equipped with facilities for both adults and kids. The memorial park has a museum with the memorabilia, insignias and record of the honoured and other heroes from Ekiti. It is a six-storey facility named the “Ekiti Heroes Museum”. It tells the stories of thirty icons of heroism in Ekiti.
The park also has an arena dedicated to picnic, birthday celebration, picnics, musical shows, aerobics and fitness. It has an open area for live shows and recreational activities. It has an open facility that accommodates different religious, political and entertainment activities.
ERIN-AYONIGBA SACRED FISH RIVER
Have you ever asked yourself if it is all fish that can be consumed?
In Ekiti, there is a sacred river whose fish can’t be eaten. They call this place “Erin Ayonigba Sacred Fish River.” Nestling in Erinjiyan Ekiti, it is an abomination for anyone to attempt catching the fish for consumption. History has it that even when the fish is caught and cooked, it will never get done no matter how long it is cooked on fire.
There is a myth in Erinjiyan-Ekiti, that the river was actually a woman in the olden days. She was said to have turned into the sacred river, with the colony of fish inside it beiing her children. Killing the fish is forbidden and anyone who succeeds in doing so ‘would die in poverty.’
THE ESA CAVE IT IN EKITI
Apart from being a great site to explore, it embodies a rich Yoruba history. It is believed to have served as a refuge for the people of the town during the ancient wars in Yorubaland.
The cave is located in Iyin-Ekiti in Irepodun/Ifelodun, about three kilometers away from Ado-Ekiti, the capital of the state.
OLOSUNTA AND OROLE HILLS
These two hills are located at the northern and southern parts of Ikere-Ekiti. They are both steep-sided hills. For those that love mountain climbing and picnics, the Orole Hills is the place to be.
The deities of these hills are credited with some feats such as the provision of children to barren women and protection of Ikere from warfare. Ikere-Ekiti is usually described as the only unconquered two in Ekiti during the popular inter-tribal wars. Ikere-Ekiti is the second largest city in Ekiti State.
Ikogosi Warm Springs, Fajuyi Memorial Park, Erinjiyan Sacred Fish River, Esa Cave Iyin-Ekiti and Olosunta and Orole Hills of Ikere-Ekiti top my list of tourist attractions to visit whenever you find yourself in Ekiti. These sites are a blessing to behold.
