By Obiabin Onukwugha
Bayelsa state located in the South-South region of Nigeria is a state with a riverine and estuarine setting with most of the communities completely surrounded by water.
Tagged the glory of all lands, Bayelsa state is home to Oloibiri (the first oil well in Nigeria discovered in 1956) which marked the beginning of Nigeria’s economic base shift from agriculture to Oil and gas. The oil-rich state is not only filled with oil wells but possesses amazing cities that dot around her.
The state is home to the Edumanom Forest Reserve, the last known site for Chimpanzees in the Niger Delta Region.
Here are some of the notable sites in Bayelsa State
Edumanom Forest Reserve:
Edumanom Forest Reserve is home to some of the last chimpanzees in Nigeria. It covers part of the old Nembe Kingdom, now divided into the Nembe and Brass local government areas, in Bayelsa State.
Edumanom Forest Reserve can be visited by tourists and historians.
Edumanom Forest Reserve is a freshwater swamp forest with an area of 9,324 hectares. It is known to be home to the endemic Sclater’s guenon, olive colobus and Niger Delta red colobus. If you are a lover of nature, you will love a trip to this forest reserve. Visitors can gain access to the forest through the creeks and along oil pipelines. The forest is known for its wildlife and exotic plants.
If well harnessed, this great reserve has the potential of boosting economic activities and increasing its IGR. Regrettably there are no services rendered as the forest is not properly managed, despite its very beautiful green environment.
The Edumanom Forest Reserve can be visited by tourists and historians at anytime of the year. Visitors can gain access to the forest through the creeks and along oil pipelines. The forest is known for its wildlife and exotic plants. So if you want to get up close and personal with nature and wildlife, ask a tour guide to take you to this destination.
Kclamola Lounge
Popular for providing the best in nightlife services, this entertainment and relaxation center is the perfect spot to relax with a cold drink in hand, unwind from an hectic week, and lose yourself in a good fun.
This place bubbles, especially on the weekends, with a steady inflow of partygoers. There simply isn’t any dull moment. This spot offers a world class lounge with superior services. It is furnished with lovely facilities and furniture to provide class and comfort to guests.
Peace Park
Peace Park in Bayelsa State is located close to the government secretariat and seat of power. It is a wide body of water that is specially made to facilitate tourism potentials; it is made to boost the economic needs of the oil-rich state. It serves as an amusement park, and thousands of people visit the park for vacation and recreational purposes, and it has served the needs of everyone within the state by its strategic location at the heart of the state capital. This is a popular resort and leisure centre in Bayelsa.
Reputed to be the place where former Niger Delta militants in Bayelsa laid down their arms and renounced militancy, the park features an artificial lake, relaxation spot, and recreational facilities.
Odi
Odi city is one of the cities in Bayelsa that still clings very tightly to their cultural heritage. This is evident in the Odi Ogori Ba Uge, the biggest festival celebrated by Odi people of Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. Every year on July 27th, the community rolls out its drums for dances; its boats for regattas and showcases several pageants to spice the festivities.
The festival is held to mark the victory over a mysterious buffalo (Ogori), which kept the community under a siege of attacks for five years. It was recorded that during this period no fewer than five persons were killed by the buffalo. A solution to the problem was sought by one of the indigenes, Chief Nengi Thomson Agedah, who reportedly went on a journey to get help from a certain Mallam of Tara. So you can just this date down and visit Odi community next year to have a feel of this cultural display.
