Tourism: First Ekiti Hiking Event to Hold in April
Ekiti
State derives its name from the moulds and mountains which
characterised its topography on which the people planted themselves.
At
the creation of states and nations which make up Nigeria, the people
who are found in pockets of settlements on the hills, mountain and
moulds in the north- western part of the Yoruba land were referred to as
the Okiti people. They are the people who planted their settlements on
moulds, hills and mountains.
But for effective pronunciation and language enhancement, ‘Okiti’ ‘Ekiti’ as we now have the it.
Characteristics
of this geographical location include climatic effects and the vagaries
of the element like rainfall, light sun, cloud, and cool bearing wind
with harmattan which bites harder in Ekiti particularly in Oye – Ekiti.
Since
the creation of Ekiti State, even in the annals of Ekiti history, there
has never been an attempt at exploring the geographical location of
Ekiti into a worthwhile economic venture except when there is intertown
hunting expedition on the mountains, and hills and moulds.
However,
the conducive business thriving atmosphere in Ekiti State engineered by
Governor Kayode Fayemi and his interest in tourism has rekindled the
urge by the indigenes of the state and non–indigenes too at enhancing
the tourism potentialities of the state.
Tourism
investors, cultural entertainment enhancers, and professional tourism
package hosting concerns who have seen Ekiti as a paragon of tourism now
have the confidence of turning their dreams of Ekiti tourism into
realities.
Thus, Hike
Ekiti Mountain Safari, an organisation being propelled by Michael
Peculiar, has set Monday, 22 April (Easter Monday), as the day of
hosting the first ever Mountain Safari in Ekiti State.
According
to Peculiar “Being a mountain safari buff and patron with copious
experience in Morroco, Dubai and Yobe State, I have come to the
realisation that Ekiti is the home of mountain safari.
I
have this on my own when I first took a tour of Ofin Mountain – Ado
Ekiti and walked the ridges of Efon Alaye – Ido – Ile – Ido Ajinare –
Erio, falling in love with the praying ground on top of the hills, the
flora and fauna, the panoramic views the birds, and the cluster of the
forest. I then decided that this year, Ekiti must hold its first ever
mountain safari trek in Easter.”
He
disclosed that “we decided to hold it on Easter Monday, which has
festival coloration with the Christian sect and Jesus Christ. It is a
stylistic opportunity of holding the Easter Monday picnic while walking
and trekking on the hills of Ekiti thus having the single honour and
opportunity of gaining and enjoying the panoramic view of Ado and Iyin
Ekiti from the top of the mountain.
It
will afford participants the opportunity to romance the serenity of the
forest, the lush green vegetation, the flora and fauna and consume the
pure breath from the plants while listening to the rants of the ants,
the shrieks of the birds and the jumping of the toads across the
pathways”
Peculiar added: “We are kicking off from Ado–Ekiti and head for Iyin Ekiti.
It
is going to be an interesting adventure which will not only showcase
Ekiti State as mountain safari tourism destination, but a State with the
best geographical template for mountain for hiking “
He
revealed: “We are being stimulated and encouraged by the tourism
posture and inclination of Dr Kayode Fayemi, who has created and
magnified the tourism atmosphere of Ekiti.
This
is our own little way of helping to call attention to this state and
attracting tourists and visitors who will come to spend part of their
earnings here.
Dr Fayemi is restoring Ekiti values in all ways and this is one of the ways of enhancing the glory of Ekiti State. Join us”.
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