When the Obudu International Mountain Race was inaugurated in 2005, it drew athletes and tourists alike from across the world, who besieged the pristine Obudu Mountain Resort and the laid-back surrounding communities for sports, nature and leisure.
Sadly, the race, which grew in participation and tourist inflow every year, held its 7th and last edition in 2011, while the prime destination lost the visitors and has since been losing more due to low patronage and consequent neglect.
Of course, Hunegnaw Mesfin and Genet Yalew, the two Ethiopians, who won the male and female categories of the race in 2011, other athletes, visitors and locals, still look forward to the day the race will resume.
But the race will likely not resume anytime soon because Obudu Mountain Resort; the host, a once famous Nigerian destination and a place that rivaled foreign destinations because of its unique nature and world-class facilities and offerings, has lost all and abandoned.
Why the concern for the resort?
The resort is a goldmine that should not be abandoned. It is set at an altitude of 1,716 meters above sea level and enjoys a climate typical of the temperate regions of the world; temperature of between 20 oC – 28oC between November and January while the lowest temperature range of 4 oC – 10oC between June and September.
It features an 11km unwinding road with 22 bends, making driving into the resort quite exhilarating. One of the most exciting bends is the “devil’s elbow”, which is half way through the stretch.
As you climb against the altitude from bottom hill to towards the peak, you pass through tall, dense forests where the branches form a canopy that completely shuts out the sun. Driving up to the plateau, you will view rolling mountain ranges.
There is a holy mountain, the water park is for all, the cable car offers the same thrills of Europe and the US, while the canopy walk, mountain climbing and lush game in its forest reserve will not only keep you fit, but marry man and nature.
Walking through numerous waterfalls, horse riding, squash and tennis nature beckons at you. There is also a nine-hole golf course, alongside a club house containing a gym. The ranch also has a Health Centre and a Police Post, a natural small swimming pool with a mini waterfall.
Hiking is an absolute must-to-view, while Gorillas and other wildlife in the Rain Forest are worth exploring in the natural reserve.
There are also over 165 comfortable rooms with several African- themed chalets for tourists to lodge.
There is no pleasure you cannot see at this highest peak in Cross River State – from nature to man-made, hence the need to save it.
Read also: Obudu Mountain Resort sets to rebound under new concessionaire
What really is wrong?
The resort seems to be operating under capacity due to poor patronage among other challenges that made it to quest less for tourists’ dollars. Efforts by the government and corporate bodies to encourage events and holidays at the resort have not been sustained and few individual visitors seem to be looking elsewhere.
While infrastructure has a part to play, the poor holiday culture of Nigerians attributes to less domestic tourist presence at the place. It is about one hour flight from Lagos and Abuja to Calabar and 20 minutes to Bebi Airstrip, which is less than three kilometers from the foot of the mountain. It is also around four hours drive from Calabar, the Cross River State capital. But most leisure buffs do not know that it is closer from Abuja by road. It is about 6 hours by road through Nasarawa-Lafia-Makurdi-Gboko-Adoka-Obudu.
Apart from the lack of knowledge of alternative routes, many people still ask where the resort is. It means the successive managers did not do enough publicity and also lacked the needed aggressive marketing to woo more tourists to the door step of mother nature domiciled at the resort.
Probably, that may be one of the reasons the Protea Group and Africa Sun, both former Southern African managers of the resort, left for more profitable city and business hotels.
Efforts to restore the resort
The resort was at its peak during the Donald Duke administration, and probably partly during Liyel Imoke’s time as governor of Cross River State, before the rot started.
However, there have been efforts in recent times to restore it to its former glory. One of such efforts was the appointment of CIBA Construction Company Limited as the most preferred concessionaires to re-design, redevelop and upscale the resort in partnership with Marriott International by the Cross River State government last year.
The restoration project drew the attention of Lola Ade-John, the then Minister of Tourism, who led a team on a courtesy visit to inspect the ongoing renovation undertaken by the new concessionaire.
Dami Adepoju, an executive of Marriott International, assured that the partnership with CIBA Hospitality Limited in the remodeling and management of the resort would provide an alignment with leisure and business travellers’ behaviours.
But the Nigerian traveling public and global tourists are tired of the nearing completion talk, as they eagerly await a remodeled resort under a new manager.
Government’s intervention
The anxious wait for the completion of the restoration project of the resort was probably why the Cross River State Government recently reclaimed the Obudu Mountain Resort, following the termination of a concession agreement with CIBA Construction Company Limited this year.
But despite the significant losses over the years, the state has promised a new beginning and has also launched a revitalisation team dedicated to transforming the resort into a world-class tourist destination.
The new restoration move, according to Sunday Michael, Special Adviser to the Governor on Obudu Ranch Resort, is in line with Governor Bassey Otu’s vision on boosting tourism, creating job opportunities, and driving economic growth, highlighting the natural beauty and rich cultural heritage of the state.
“With a renewed sense of purpose, the Obudu Mountain Resort is set to rise again stronger, more vibrant, and ready to welcome visitors from around the world,” Michael assured.
The reality, however, is that Obudu Mountain Resort is dear to many who have experienced its many breathtaking nature and man-made offerings, hence they want it back as soon as possible.
