Mt Patti Conquerors and their re-discovery of Lokoja
Lokoja, the Kogi State Capital came alive on Easter Monday as the state government in collaboration with the National Open University of Nigeria and the Confluence Cable Network Ltd hosted an event tagged, "Conquering Mount Patti 2013."
The occasion which kicked-off a little before 6a.m. attracted lots of adventurers who undertook climbing the high-altitude Mount Patti till they reached the zenith. However, vehicles were readily available for those whose doggedness couldn't carry them to the peak
There was no dull moment even in the course of the mountaineering exercise for a historian provided background to major landmarks encountered. Some of these include the relics of the Lord Lugard rest house, a radio station that then was and a towering baobar tree planted by Lord Lugard himself.
Getting to the top of Mount Patti provided a lovely aerial view of the ancient city of Lokoja. It also afforded the Conquerors an opportunity of seeing and appreciating the sublime mating of Rivers Benue and Niger. They were equally at liberty to inscribe their monikers on that mighty tree that was given life to by the late Lord Lugurd. If you are at a loss as regards the connection between Lord Lugard and Mount Patti hold your peace for that was over flogged at the mountain top!
Those who persevered to the hair of Patti, got the pat on the back they verily deserved. First, they were made to rehydrate, refresh and reflect with as much chilled bottled-water as they cared for. They were also given souvenirs of a quality black tee-shirt and umbrellas crested with the message, "I Conquered Mount Patti." And this, to me, is a certification of some sort.
For the Conquering Mount Patti 2013 programme which held on the Plateau of Patti, three pavilions were created and they housed the children, youths with one designated as general.
Those in the general section relished a seminal lecture delivered by a renowned historian and a former president of UNESCO- Professor Michael Omolewa who spoke to the paper titled, "Lokoja and the Migration of Nigeria's Capital Cities: An Exploratory Study."
He, in the lecture, said that Tubman Goldie earlier made Lokoja to be relevant before Lugard, stressing that Lokoja was chosen by Goldie as the capital of the Royal Niger Company. Later, Lugard was recruited by Goldie under a clear terms of reference in which he was to be subordinate to the decisions of the Royal Niger Company.
Goldie also made Lokoja his military capital during the scramble and occupation of Nigeria and went ahead to make his company establish a British Consul in the city. It was on January 1,1900 at Lokoja that the Union Jack replaced the Niger Company's flag. This allowed Colonel Lugard to formally assume the Office of the High Commission for Upper Nigeria.
Nonetheless, two years down the line in 1902, Lord Lugard designated Zungeru as his new capital for the reason Prof. Omolewa believes was because Lokoja wasn't along the rail line. The Lecturer went on to disclose that despite its loss of the capital seat, Lokoja remained the centre for information dissemination in the whole region.
He further told that it was from this Mount Patti that Lord Lugard's then Mistress- Flora Shaw who at that time was a correspondent for Reuters News Agency suggested that the country be named Nigeria.
Professor Omolewa's well-received lecture was attended by comments and questions which bothered on why Lokoja, with such remarkable history, appears sidelined in the contrivance of things in the country especially as it concerns the forthcoming centenary celebration.
In his retort, the widely-travelled diplomat held that Lokoja should renew and celebrate itself as the capital. He equally advised those who had gathered to take a resolution, to be addressed to the appropriate quarters, calling for Lokoja to be made relevant to the centenary celebration.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Conquering Mount Patti 2013 and Secretary to the Kogi State Government, Professor Olugbemiro Jegede said that in 1884, Lokoja became the capital of Nigeria through Goldie of the Royal Niger Company, Lord Lugard continued with that in 1887.
He maintained that the only thing that can't be taken away from Lokoja is the fact that Nigeria got her name from here!
There was another lecture at the event which was titled "Security Challenges and Sustainable Tourism" delivered by the Director General of National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism- Dr Musalim Dantata who said that for tourists to come, Kogi State has to make an investment as the top of Mount Patti is a virgin mountain top with no hotel, restaurant or bar.
He dismissed as wishful thinking, the thought that the Federal Government will make Lokoja key to the centenary celebration stressing that it is up to the government and people of Kogi State to strategize on the marketing strategy that will sell Lokoja to the centenary celebration organisers.
Dr Dantata who rued the dearth of an international tourism product in Nigeria averred that tourism is not about wishful thinking but is a manufacturing process where the consumer come to the factory to enjoy the product.
Speaking at the event, the state governor- Captain Idris Wada represented by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Anthony Puke said, "The position of Lokoja in the scheme of things in Nigeria can't be underestimated because the name Nigeria was coined from this
plateau- Mount Patti. I am confident that repositioning Kogi state in the scheme of things in Nigeria is a matter of time."
He went on to state that It's the drive of his government to have every serving president of Nigeria pay a visit to Mount Patti by way of taking a time off from official engagements to rest.
The conquering Mount Patti 2013 which offered lots of food and drinks to all in attendance was further flavoured by cultural dance performances from the Kogi State Cultural Troupe and scintillating musical renditions by the Eno Louis Afro Jazz Rock Masters.
Ugochukwu writes from Lokoja. You can react through [email protected]