24—Vanguard, FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2013
Olumirin falls: God’s gift to Ijesha
FOR tourists, the mention of Osun State conjures the image of Osun shrine, river and the festival, but there is another hidden treasure in the state of the Living Spring called ‘Olumirin’ It was named “Olumirin.” by the people of the town as it was their thought that it was another god whose power over the whole area was only similar to Akinla, the founder of Erin Ijesha town. The waterfalls, also known as the Erin Ijesha Waterfalls, is two kilometres off Erin Ijesha town, which lies 20km east of Ilesha on the Ilesha-Akure Road in Osun State.
Conspicuous eye catcher The gigantic Ridge constitutes a conspicuous eye-catcher for every traveler along the IlesaAkure expressway, as it towers into the distant skyline, forming a spectacular backrest for the sleepy towns of Erin-Oke, ErinIjesha and Erinmo. The awe-inspiring falls is an assemblage of seven distinct cascades believe by the people to exude from a big pot located at the top of the ridge. Often times, first time tourist at the waterfalls unconsciously starts to number the waterfalls from the last drop (the base of the ridge) as it is the first of all the falls to be encountered when visiting; whereas the numbering is supposed to be from the top. Nevertheless, going by layman’s standard, the seventh drop of the waterfalls is the first waterfall. The first cascade plummets through a narrow opening in a cluster of luxuriant tree trunks
blanketed in dark green leafage, down a steeply folded rock face of about ten meters in height. Like a rain of a million limpid pins, the showers descend and inundate s huge boulder reposed at its plunge pool below. Fallen
logs of wood laid dank in the pool and out-flowing stream channel. The air hung muggy with a heavy smoke of splashed water droplets. The sight sparks the first fire of excitement that pervade the
veins of any visitor at the falls. The refreshing ambience is further thickened when one ascends the steep rocks to explore the other stages of the waterfalls. The second cascade is the most gigantic of all, with the waters diving down a 40m-high cliff. The copious plunge is most spectacular in the rainy season when the stream channel is at its flooding levels. Its plunge pool forms a shallow swimming pool for visitors at the site who are
lucky and brave enough to get to the second fall. The climb up the waterfalls is quite intimidating and arduous, as there are no steps constructed or clear paths made up the ridge slopes, except depressions and projections on the surface, as well as roots and branches of huge trees, forest climbers and shrubs along the paths, which serves as hand and foot holds for the adventurous tourist. Nevertheless,the ascent of the enormous ridge is most rewarding, as one is treated to dazzling and panoramic vistas of the surrounding landscape, depicting the true natural beauty of the Nigerian landmass. Another great attraction at the waterfalls, is the Abake village, a rustic enclave located at the top of the colossal ridge. The name “Abake”, is a Yoruba word which is a combination of two other Yoruba words: “Aba” “Oke”, meaning “the village on the top”, suggesting the location , of the small village. Exciting activities at ErinIjesha waterfalls tourist resort includes: Swimming, base jumping (new potentials), rock climbing; bird and game watching among others.
NTDC to give attention to domestic tourism
… as new DG resumes T
he newly appointed Director General of the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mrs. Sally Mbanefo, has promised that transformation of domestic tourism would receive high priority . Outlining her focus for the promotion of country’s tourist attractions before the staff of the agency, Mrs. Mbanefo said she will work to develop local content as she believes that before we can successfully sell Nigerian tourism brand to the outside world we must address the domestic market potentials, secure the buy-in and confidence of Nigerians in the sector as well as Nigerians to be proud of their tourism heritage. She told staff that the development of the domestic tourism would also entail other core mandates which includes job creation, poverty alleviation and revenue generation. In her address to the management and staff of the NTDC, Mrs Mbanefo noted that the vision of the NTDC shall be interpreted in line with that of the ministry which is to reposition Nigeria as the preferred tourism destination in Sub-Saharan Africa offering diverse world class tourism products geared towards contributing 10% of the GDP through a transformation driven policy. She expressed utmost confidence in
Mrs. Sally Mbanefo the programmes and plans of the minister for Nigeria’s tourism sector and said that NTDC would be committed to achieving the set goals while adding that the minister has properly interpreted and adapted the overall transformation agenda of the government of President Goodluck Jonathan as it relates to tourism sector of the economy. Mbanefo also revealed that the new NTDC shall be active in promoting advocacy and public enlightenment for the tourism industry to get Nigerians to appreciate and patronize the beautiful natural endowments God has given the country.
Her messages also dwelt heavily on the need for accountability, discipline and integrity as the watchword of the new NTDC adding that she operates an open door management style that seeks to ensure free flow of communication that would enable a team spirit. The critical focus of the meetings , according to a source, were on development of the Tourism Value Chain across the country to realise the objectives for which the Corporation was set up as well as meeting the core mandate of the supervising ministry of tourism. In this connection the new DG was said to have indicated that NTDC, working in close partnership with other parastatals shall be implementing the Tourism Master Plan geared towards the promotion of Nigeria’s rich tourism potentials through identification, development and marketing of the diverse tourism opportunities. In addition and in line with the coremandate of the supervising Ministry, the new NTDC shall be active in promoting tourism as a foreign exchange earner, income redistributor, major revenue earner to the federal government, major employer of labour as well as a catalyst for rural development and poverty reduction.