{"id":5970,"date":"2013-07-04T17:25:02","date_gmt":"2013-07-04T17:25:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/disnaija.com\/nigeria-news\/100-years-after-lokoja-still-asleep\/"},"modified":"2013-07-04T17:25:02","modified_gmt":"2013-07-04T17:25:02","slug":"100-years-after-lokoja-still-asleep","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/disnaija.com\/100-years-after-lokoja-still-asleep\/","title":{"rendered":"100 Years After, Lokoja Still Asleep!"},"content":{"rendered":"
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By Taiwo Lawrence Adeyemi<\/em><\/p>\n

With barely some months away from to the celebration of Nigeria\u2019s Centenary, Lokoja, the administrative capital after the amalgamation of Northern and Southern Protectorates to form Nigeria in 1914, is still a rustic town 100 years after.<\/p>\n

A visitor to Lokoja would be compelled to ask if it is the same city where Lord Frederick Lugard presided over Nigeria as the Governor-General. The backward state of the city definitely leaves a sour taste in the mouths of most visitors. Described as a confluence city, with famous historical sites and captivating hills, one would have thought Lokoja would have become a tourist\u2019s destination, attracting visitors across the globe. Yet, that is not the case.<\/p>\n

Mount Patti, Lord Frederick Lugard’s residence, office and tomb, remain historical sites and monuments, yet untapped by both the state government and investors.<\/p>\n

Lokoja metropolis remains lifeless after 10:00 p.m. Making phone calls in Lokoja is difficult even as internet cafes are difficult to come by. A recent drive around Lokoja revealed that the city has become \u2018A City Asleep After 10:00p.m!\u2019 One thing you cannot take away from Nigeria\u2019s first administrative capital are the various drinking joints scattered across the city centre, especially on Crowther Memorial road where NUJ state secretariat is located, Old Lord Frederick Lugard (opposite Lokoja Township Stadium), and National Commission for Museums and Monuments.<\/p>\n

A boat cruise across the vast River Niger confluence opens a visitor to the vista the confluence offers, but the irony still remains: tourism and tourist destination centres are undeveloped and untapped. With pockets of housing estates that dot parts of the city, Lokoja still remains a nightmare for people looking for new accommodation or relocating to the city. A property and estate developer, Mallam Mohammed Abdullahi, with office along Crowther Memorial Road, says Lokoja remains the most expensive city in Nigeria, after Abuja. Abdullahi ascribed this to “many people chasing few available accommodations.” Another reason is that the city is close to Dangote Cement Factory, some few kilometres from Lokoja.<\/p>\n

Most people that do business and work at Obajana Cement factory reside in Lokoja and commute from Lokoja to Obajana daily. These workers contribute to the high house rent charged by property owners.<\/p>\n

With few eateries, the city also has only a few three star hotels, but basically this does not translate into the city being lively at night.<\/p>\n

Most social activities in Lokoja\u00a0 around Lokoja International Market, at Nataco Junction and\u00a0 Ganaja area of the confluence city. Grace FM, Prime FM, Confluence FM, NTA, CTL, and Cable TVs, Graphic Newspaper serve the confluence city residents with information and entertainment, while Kogi State Polytechnic and Federal University of Lokoja cater for the educational needs of the city dwellers.<\/p>\n

\u2022Adeyemi wrote from Kogi. \u2022Email: taiwo387@yahoo.com.<\/em><\/p>\n

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