Hello ,

Earlier this month, UK-based Nigerian medical professional, marathoner and mountain climber, Dr Wilson Orhiunu, climbed to the top of the Mambilla Plateau (Taraba State). At 7,936 ft (2,419 m) above sea level, that’s the highest point in Nigeria and -- casting the net wider -- West Africa.

And though Mambilla Plateau and the surrounding Gashaka-Gumti National Park are two of Nigeria’s richest eco-tourism landscapes, people hardly travel all the way – no thanks to the complex logistics that’s required to plan a successful and hitch-free journey there.

So when some individuals brave and surmount the odds, it calls for applause and celebration. From start to finish, the adventure took Dr Orhiunu six days.  

“We were up and ready by 6am. Four motor bikes had arrived and we sped off with the Rangers and me on one bike each and Enate and Hamza on one,” he wrote of his diary-style record of the experience on his blog, on Day 4.

“It was like being on a roller coaster as we sped through farms, hills, valleys, wooden planks over streams and uphill through dusty pebbles filled paths. We drove through farms, villages and so many checkpoints that I lost count.”

By twilight of the same day, and after many hours of bum-hurting, tortuous travel on motor-bikes with local guides and park rangers, and part of that on the Cameroon-side of the border, he reached the object of his dreams.

“By 5.30pm on Sunday the 8^th of May 2022, I was the Nigerian with two feet on the ground standing on the highest altitude. I felt one with myself and my destiny. I felt at peace with the passing of my mother. Nature cannot be wrestled with and defeated. It was ordained that I was to be here at this time. I waved my mother goodbye; alone in my private thoughts. The mountain top is a spiritual place, a beautiful lush wilderness where no distractions lay. You are one with your maker there. We celebrated and took pictures and it was time to go down."

Read all about Dr Wilson’s Chappal Waddi adventure 

Here!

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In other News:

Wednesday ,18 May 2022, was International Museum Day. Initiated by the International Council of Museums (ICOM) in 1977, the theme this year is: “The Power of Museums”. It was a pleasure to be invited to witness activities lined up for the occasion by the Lagos National Museum.

Museums are some of my favourite subjects to write about, and I have written quite a bit about my many experiences visiting them in Nigeria. Here are two from the lot: I hope you enjoy reading them.

Kuti Heritage Museum:

Click Here!

10 ‘hidden’ museums in Nigeria

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Pelu Awofeso

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