By Ojugbele Omotunde
With diverse people and cultures, Nigeria is widely recognised and celebrated for distinguishing itself through its history, legend, natural beauty and conquest.
From rain forests in the south, broad savanna woodlands in the centre to a semi-desert region in the north, Nigeria offers a remarkable range of physical beauty and hospitality,
The South South is one of the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. It designates both a geographic and political region of the country’s eastern coast and It comprises six states – Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, and Rivers.
The zone extends from the west coast of the Bight of Benin to the east coast of the Bight of Bonny along the Atlantic coast and it encompasses a large portion of the Niger Delta, which is crucial to the region’s ecology and economic growth.
Geographically, the zone is split by the mangroves of Central Africa in the coastal far south, while the main inland ecoregions include the coastal forests of the Cross-Sanaga-Bioko, the Cross-Niger transition woods, the Niger Delta swamp forests, and the lowland forests of Nigeria, arranged from east to west.
Despite making up just about 5% of Nigeria’s total area, the South South’s substantial oil and natural gas deposits enable it to make a significant economic contribution to the country. With two of the largest oil refineries situated there—one in Warri, Delta State, and the other in Eleme, a local government unit in Rivers State. With over 26 million residents, the zone makes up 12% of the nation’s total population.
The zone also makes up of some tourist worthy centers.
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF BENİN CITY
Situated on King’s Square in the heart of Benin City, the Benin City National Museum is a national museum. Numerous artifacts from the Benin Empire, including cast iron, terracotta, and bronze figures, are on display at the museum. They also have antique artwork from bygone eras.
There are a remarkably large amount of historical and cultural artifacts at Benin City Museum. Because of its rich history pertaining to neighboring ancient city-states as well as the Benin Empire, it is considered one of Nigeria’s best national museums.
PARK VEGA WATERPARK, ASABA
Park Vega is the biggest water park in West Africa and the first international grade water park in both Nigeria and West Africa.
Park Vega features a wave pool, relax pool, aqua tower, multi-surf slide, freefall slide, black hole wave combo slide, restaurants, bars, and party areas in addition to its space-hole waterslide.
AGBOKIM WATERFALLS
The Agbokim Waterfalls are located near Cross River’s border with Cameroon in the Etung local government district. The waterfalls are about 320 kilometers (200 mi) from Calabar and roughly 15 kilometers (9.3 mi) from Ikom.
Agbokim Waterfalls, named for the town where they are located, are made up of seven streams that showcase an amazing freshwater cascade that plunges down a steep cliff into a stunning tropical jungle.
It is encircled by lush greenery, valleys, and precipitous peaks. With its breathtaking backdrop, Agbokim Waterfalls is the perfect place for a romantic break in the embrace of mother nature. It’s a great place to have a picnic with loved ones as well.