₦airaland Forum

@oyinsbank

"Please come with warm clothing as weather can get wet and cold", says the very bold caveat.

The Obudu plateau with an altitude of 1,716 metres above sea level enjoys a climate typical of the temperate regions of the world.

It is the highest peak in the Cross River State. The resort which was established as a cattle ranch in 1949 is now located in Obanliku Local Government Area in Northern part of the State. It is about 332km , which is about five hours drive from Calabar.

It is located on a plateau of about 1,575.76 metres above sea level. The 11km of unwinding road with its 22 bends make driving into the ranch quite exhilarating. One of the most exciting bends is the "devils elbow" which is half way through the stretch.

The ranch has a temperature of between 26 ^oC - 32^oC between November and January while the lowest temperature range of 4 ^oC - 10^oC is recorded between June and September.

On the way you pass through tall, dense forests where the branches form a canopy that completely shuts out the sun. Driving up to the plateau, you'll view rolling mountain ranges.

Cattle are bred on the ranch for their fresh milk, butter, meat , and cheese, and these are available at the dairy section daily. Cows were brought in from Holland for management by Farmfresh Limited to give residents of the ranch best of naturally processed dairy products. There are also birds and pigs that produce eggs and pork respectively, in commercial quantities.

The Ranch which is 24 square kilometre in size is at an altitude where view is breathtaking and the air is fresh and clean. There is also the spectacular grotto (a natural swimming pool with its sparkling pure water, and a clear view of the long winding waterfall. Green mountain ranges surround the natural reserve that is home to rare species of birds and other animals such as the Gorilla. The ranch which has a mini-golf course and a squash hall is a popular resort and is currently managed by Protea Hotels of South Africa.

This well known resort extends to the Cameroon border, at the base of the Sonkwala Mountains on the Oshie Ridge, 110km east of Ogoja.

The mountain ranges were first explored in 1949 by Mr. McCaughley, a Scottish rancher who camped on the mountaintop for a month before returning with Mr. Hugh Jones a fellow rancher who, in 1951, together with Dr Crawfeild developed the ranch. Although the ranch has been through troubles since, it has very recently been rehabilitated to its former glory by the Protea South African Hotel chain.

Walking through numerous waterfalls, horse riding, squash and tennis nature beckons at you. A nine hole golf course has been constructed alongside a club house containing a gym. The ranch also has a Health Centre and a Police Post, natural small swimming pool with a mini waterfall .

The Cattle Ranch Hotel has 70 suits from a standard double to the huge governors lodge and  the presidential retreat area. The Presidential Villa which will be highest on the ranch is  built at a view point for the President to see as far as he could, even up to Cameroon. The Villa has eight Chalets for presidential aides being constructed with 100% Seasoned Wood from Finland. Under the Supervision at Ben Lasakkonen, a Finish, the Wooden edifice that can last close to 500 years, as it is in Finland, has a special and globally exclusive Model for the ranch. The Presidential Villa has an helipad under construction.

All rooms have been furnished to a high standard, with imported furniture and soft furnishings with a range of DSTV channels.

Hiking is an absolute must to view Gorillas and the Rain Forest or explore natural reserve. This reserve lies beside the resort and was created by Cercopan and sponsored by Leventis as a habitat for the highly endangered spices guerilla found only in South Western Cameroon, on the island of Bioko and in South East Nigeria. The reserve is also home to many endemic bird species. A tree house built in the tree canopy will cater for even the most avid bird/monkey watcher.

The road network is 5.3km with 11 plots drain work which is estimated to last nothing less than 50 years. Whilst at the resort, which is located in a Malaria and Tsetse fly free area, a taste of the fresh dairy products, agricultural produce or the Ranch honey are not only one of nature's wonderful gift, but also a mark of excellent management of a paradise brand . Fidelis Alima-Oku, the beehive Manager said that a total of 2000 containers have being imported from South Africa to produce quality and undiluted honey . 25 employees, with 500 trained Bee farmers are to produce 50 kg of 2000 containers annually. This is being targeted as hard currency earner for Nigeria.

Getting there by road from Port Harcourt is 8 hours, Eket 6 hours, Calabar is 5 hours and Enugu in 3 hours. For these road users, all the roads leading to Obudu are witnessing reconstruction, courtesy of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

For much easier transportation, the Bebi Airstrip available to add to an unforgetable trip. The Bebi Airstip is located at the foot of the hills about 40km away from the ranch . The airstrip has been upgraded to a 2.0 km runway so as to handle larger and twin engine aircraft of the Boeing 737 and BAC 1-11 category.

Envigaging the increased flow of traffic on daily basis, the managers at the place put in place a 4.5 kilometre twelve stations cable car. The cable car which beats the South Africa 1.2 Km cable and possibly the longest in the World.

With a total of 30 cars with one presidential car one cable, 6 passengers have a 15 minutes jolly ride to the ranch in one cable car.

Interesting of note is the social responsibility focus of State government towards Obudu inhabitants. These inhabitants, old and young told THISDAY that they are happy with development at the ranch and the positive attitude of the state government towards them. They have there stories to tell. Their schools churches, market and other ares of interests are being giving face lift of befitting touch. They work for the state government on the ranch earning nothing less than N1,000 daily. They share from the electricity supply to the ranch. They also share part of the treated water provided for servicing guests at the challets.

The Ranch Stays open to guests throughout the year. Special Events are usually organised for holidays and special weekends.

The Ranch's total of 70 stone walled chalets comprises 54 double rooms and 23 suites.

Guest chalets at the Ranch are fully furnished with facilities like lounge bar, Restaurant, in house laundry and 24 hour security. more Sporting Facility , Natural Swiming Pool, Gynmasum, Flood lit lawn tennis court, Squash Court, Specialised hiking trails, Bird watching, Putt putt mini golf where one enter the cloud at times.

For entertainment , Satelite TV, Disco Room, Bard Games are there. Theatre- styled seating conference room seats 250 people. The reception / entrance foyer , 2 smaller breakaway rooms for up to 20 people , basic conference equipmet speak volume


At the base of the hills on which the ranch is located lies a newly built world-class water park with state-of-art swimming facilities and water slides for children, teens and adults. The hilltop (cattle ranch) is about 11 km of winded road from the base and can be accessed by either the cable-car or the road.

The ranch has numerous pleasant mountain-area and country-side views. Tourist attractions include: the waterpark, cable-car, ranch cattle and horses, waterfall, Becheve nature reserve (canopy walk), honey and yoghurt factories and the ancient Anape village. There is also a standard golf course and hotel resort facilities for tourists and visitors.The biggest attraction is undoubtedly the cable-car which runs from the entrance to the resort at the bottom of the mountain up to the ranch resort at the summit. It is claimed to be the world's longest cable car system. It is built to a very high standard, is well maintained and is a very impressive achievement The ranch boasts of newly built ultra-modern conference centre, governor and presidential lodges and special chalets for tourists. The ranch community has a clinic, school, police post, night club and staff quarters. Unfortunately all this comes at a price! The resort's tariff is similar to that of the swankier Abuja and Lagos hotels; not overly expensive by international standards but beyond the resources of the vast majority of Nigerians and other West Africans


I adapted from Tripadvisor and Wikipedia supplemented by my personal experience. I was there late 2006 for a company retreat. Hope this helps.

Unfortunately you cannot get their current room tarriffs online.

landis:
For a place that wants to compete with the BEST in the world, sad, they have no website.

Thats Nigeria style of tourism for you, I bet they have no functional telephone.

Really I have been thinking about this too. Are these guys in business? Do they expect me to land there before learning that the place is fully booked. Calabar is about 5 hours to that ranch by road, Aero airline only fly there I think once a day. How will a tourist get out if he fails to secure accommodation and to think that Protea runs the place. They should set up fully functional website immediately.

oyinsbank:
i need some informations about obudu cattle ranch, am planning to go for vacation at the resort, please i need transport details(air /road), hotel accomodation, weather etc. kindly help if you have any info

They used to quote one yahoo mail address in the past. I dont know it off-hand now and whether you will even get a reply from them. Try to goggle obudu ranch.

jimmyjam:
yes police authorities and psc can officially approve promotion today, however the same same psc can dismiss those people the next day the psc derives its powers from the constitution and what ever thy say is final,

The question is not whether they can dismiss the person they previously promoted. That can happen in any organisation but it must be based on new reason (a new offence possibly). You dont dismiss a person for the same reason that you promote him. That is counter-common sense.

The question is what evidence did they have in June 2008 (less than 2 months ago) to make them ratify the promotion as officially and expressly stated on the police website. What counter evidence have they got within 2 months to make a body that have "the final say" to reverse itself more than 100%. Why are they saying that their new decision is not reversible. If the first one could be reversed, then we can still have a new final say.

Police Service Commission Confirmed the Promotion of 3 DIGs , 4 AIGs & 23 CPs
on 2008/6/17 3:40:00 (2259 reads) 
The Police Service Commission has confirmed the promotion of 3 DIGs, 4 AIGs, 23 CPs and 34 DCPs. The commission also confirmed the promotion of Malam Nuhu Ribadu to the rank of AIG, and other officers promoted by the former IGP.

New DIGs
Yusuf Haruna
Gasali D. Lawal
John Haruna Ahmadu

NEW AIGS
Richard N. Chime
Kevin O. Opoke
Sarduana Abubakar
Audu Abubakar

NEW COMMISSIONERS OF POLICE
Onuoha Uka Ude
Ibrahim Abdu
Sule Mamman
Adisa Bolanta
Yakubu A. Alkali
Samuel Dahunsi
Umar D. Sa'adu
Mohammed J. Gana
Suleiman A. Abba
Ballah M. Nassarawa
Sabo Ringim Ibrahim
Emmanuel O. Ayeni
Abdullahi Fana Salihu
Musa A Daura
K. C. Katso
P. Y Gana
Ibrahim Chafe Mamman
Salihu Arungu Hashimu
Jacob E. T Oshinomogbo
Marvel Akpoyibo
Johnson Usen
Stephen Dienye Hart
Prince Austin Obaedo

NEW DCPS
Tonye E. Ebitibituwa
Mrs Bosede Ayodeji Dawodu
Mohammed Iyanda Sule
John A. B Apadokun
Olufemi A. Adenaike
Olufemi David Ogunbayode
Waheed O Salau
Mrs Dorothy A. Gimba
Wilson Kadafa
Titilayo M Busari
Mrs Augustine Ngozi Ihesiaba
Josephn Abiona
Pius You Usang
Bourdelon Markus
R. N. Chiroma
Mbu Joseph Mbu
A. Oshodi Glover
A. K. Shodipo
Patrick Day Dokumor
Sotonye Reroy Wakama
Jakob Arorunkoyi
Emah E. Bassey
Jonathan You Udoh
Idris Farouk Umar
Stephen A Ekpei
Hycinth Dagala Medugu
Issac C Eke
John Yahaya
Markus K Danladi
Jubrin Waya
Adamu Tukur
Dan Bature
Karima Honsea Hassan
Bilyaminu A Yusuf

Source: http://nigeriapolice.org/public/modules/news/article.php?storyid=32

The above is from Nigeria Police Force website and this news was posted on 17/6/2008 by the police authorities. Who is fooling who?

It is not the duty of the legislators to ban or unban a tv programme by mere saying so. It is purely executive responsibilty. Unless both chambers of the National Assembly pass a bill (not motion) to ban BBA AND it is assented to by the President of the Federal Republic before that date, the threat is just an addled threat. no effect.

Sunday, Aug 10, 2008 9:29 pm EDT

Some Opening Ceremony fireworks were faked
By Chris Chase

If you watched the Opening Ceremony on Friday night, chances are you said something like, "no way that's possible" at least once. It turns out you were right.

London's Telegraph newspaper reports that some of the fireworks which appeared over Beijing during the television broadcast of the Olympic Opening Ceremony were actually computer generated. But -- hold on -- it's not necessarily as bad as you think.

The faked fireworks were actually set-off at the stadium, but because of potential dangers in filming the display live from a helicopter, viewers at home were shown a pre-recorded, computer-generated shot. It sounds dishonest, but I'm not sure it's such a terrible thing.

The Opening Ceremony is, at its core, just one big performance. And isn't it accepted that some things might not be legit at a performance? The final torch bearer wasn't actually running around the top of the stadium, does the fact that everyone could figure that out make it any less impressive? It might have been unnecessarily deceptive, but the firework-faking isn't really that big of a deal. But, if I found out that the lighted-drum thing wasn't on the up and up, then we'll have problems, China.

Source: Yahoo News


No be only naija bad belle dey.

What the drivers make from fares and what is deliverable to the owners are two separate things. 'Deliver money' _{to use their terms} is negotiated upfront and is is usually based on industry average. Can be as low as N2,000 per day for 14 seater bus for intra-lagos transit bus. The driver is responsible for fueling and very minor repairs. Major repairs are borne by the owners. The simple fact is that if you are not the one driving it yourself, the driver will benefit more. He may make the whole day deliverables on just one trip.

boriswole:
Neat 2007 Nissan Pathfinder 4 X 4 Price N6,000,000.00

Fully cleared and Never used in Nigeria.
Four wheel Drive Full time
Custom 2 Tone Color Leather Interior
Custom 14 inch DVD Player with Wireless Head Sets
Custom 10 inch indash DVD with Universal Touch screen controls
Rear View camera
Shift-on-the-fly 4x4 switch-operated 2-speed transfer case
Third Row Seat
4-wheel Limited Slip (ABLS)
Hill Descent Control (HDC)
Mileage, 29,000
good as new.

29,000 miles (46,400km)? just in a year?   Nice looking but the usage,

Seun:
Oh shut up. Using murder to solve theft? A murderer is worse than a looter.

Criminals are not murdered, they are executed.

Issuance of driver licences and number plates was nationalised in 1990s by Babangida regime. I dont know how 'young' most forumites are but before that time, states handled all these things and I will say very efficiently. You dare not put 'L' sign on your car without complying with the provisions of the law like having learners permit and a licenced driver by your side. Today under the so-called national scheme, a learner already has a driver licence in his pocket . It is actually a case of reversal to old method rather than introduction of new system.

fyneguy:
lol Klas,

Ok atleast you would only embezzle half of what they did. Again what makes you different from them? a lesser thief?

I dont have to embezzle or even fail to perform. Who says the lawful embedded profit margin in the contract is not a life-changing one. ^{level go change o}. Anyway let us get back to topic

fyneguy:
@klas

lololololol

Why do I think you are one of the contractors?

I claim it. How I wish you had gone to MFM to pray that I should be awarded the power contract even at half the cost. I assure you, my address wont be Abj-Nig but one cool country where life expectancy is 200 years.

At least we can chop words if we cannot chop money like the panelists, the contractors and the contract-awarders.

@skyblue, I apologise for my harsh words. It is not my will. It was due to the animal called man (what? I have used OBJ 'works' twice at a go. That is not plagiarism, it has become research ). You said in post no 79 that you know the scope and maybe other things about the contracts, please share that with us here to enable us make better contributions. Who knows I may form NGO on it and seek for foreign grants. At least I too go make my own small thing on this power issue.

fyneguy:
If a contractor agreed to finish a project, for which he was paid, within 18 months and 2-3 years after, nothing is on ground and someone is refering us to google. Thats rubbish!

What did OBJ do when a project that was billed for completion in 18 months didnt even commence after 2-3 years?
Why did he approve more funds when previous ones were not accounted for?

There is something they call force-majure.

Rhea:
Our leaders have demonstrated their penchant for initiating projects, enquiries and probes and abandoning them halfway.

What ever happened to the call for Anenih to be probed over the utilisation of funds for road repairs from 1999-2007?

Whatever happened to the probe of ex-governors (Odili, Nnamani, Orji Uzor etc)?

Whatever happened to Ajaokuta, NNPC, NAFCON, NITEL etc probes?

Whatever happened to the sanitisation of the education and aviation sector?

I believe that our distinguished members of the House of Reps are just chasing shadows, deceiving Nigerians as usual. This power projects probe, though very neccessary, is just a waste of time.

They are yet to show any genuine resolve in getting to the root of the matter. At the end of the day, only the minnows will be disgraced as usual while the grandmasters remain untouchable.

There is no dount that some of them must have benefitted from the bastardisation of these power projects, and hence will go to any lenght to frustrate the enquiry or whatever they call it.

There is a probe panel to do the bolded one already by the House of Reps. Another one to probe oil sector and yet another to probe why Super Eagles failed at the Cup of Nations in January.
After all these, there will be panels to probe all these probes to know whether the probes followed due process

Sky Blue:
Wow, so these turbines were on order for 2 to 3 years? They could not find a different supplier? It had to be from argos?? I am sorry but again more and more excuses and no one is yet to answer my initial questions especially this.
[b]

Skyblue, skyblue, skyBlue. It is not my style to respond negatively to a forumite but I am constrained by your unnecesary fixation on the same point to be less than diplomatic. Afam called it 'intelectual stubornness' but actually there is nothing intellectual in your repeating the same point design, design, design like a bad phonogram. It rather borders on ill-education (apology to Ken Nnamani). So turbines that are purpose-built take less than 2 years to build from conception. Next time you go to Macdonalds or Mr Biggs, ask for one to take home off the shelf _{may be na burger}. People who should know have explained on this forum what it takes from conception to implementation to actualise EPC contract yet you refused to listen. One only wakes up somebody who is asleep not somebody pretending to sleep. It takes other countries long time to carry out EPC projects too, the only difference is that they don't call press conference at conception stage, you only get to know at the site assembly stage.  Have you not heard of Airlines placing orders with Boeing or Airbus that will take 5, 6 years to deliver. In the 4th year, if you go the airline hangar and you don't see the airplane, does it make Boeing/Airbus a thief or the contract a failure? Nobody is saying nobody chop for this contract, infact I will be suspicious if everything is too clean _{no be naija} but then to say the project is failed or that nothing is on ground is more of political statement than intellectual one.

Nothing is on ground. so says the probe panel but the energy committee set up by Yaradua that promise us improved power  supply in the next 18 months actually stated that the substantial portion of the expected power supply will come from the NIPP projects. Yet nothing is on ground. make these panel beaters just chop their sitting allowance and shut the fu.k up.

afam is right. simplicita. Whether it is something we want to hear is another thing entirely. The so-called power probe panel is just having its 15 minutes of fame. Holding political public hearing is different from providing solid facts that can stand legal rigmarole  in the law courts. The custom-built turbines, were they built in a day and free?, what proportion of the total contract does the turbines represent? Did banks and CBN process LCs for unregistered companies? If we accuse the contractors that they failed to meet the deadline is a different matter from calling them thieves. That will fail in court.
And reference to South Africa is inappropriate here. The 40,000mw plants were not built in fire brigade approach we adopt in Nigeria. The plants were built overtime. So how was the $40b arrived at - accumulation of cost from time immemorial?
Good a thing that the president just approved N2b to construct a ramp over Imo river to enable them move the turbines that have been lying idle at Onne port for almost two years. The Panel members can pay another visit (with huge touring allowance  ), they will see something now.

make more noise.

@oolodumaare

One would have been tempted to ignore your rantings because it is infradig to go down the gutter with you. Read what others who actually own dstv decoder have to say above. Tatiana in one of her interviews when asked whether she projected Angolan women well said "Tatiana represents no one except me [sic]. No one is big enough to represent Angolan women. I went in alone, I came out alone." Stop being unnecessarily emotional about a game. One billion you can't stop this show. when it starts, change channel.

Why do we like weeping more than the bereaved? Ofunneka herself was quoted severally in Nigerian press that she was not raped (_{only fingered}   ). How was Nigeria disgraced by her action or inaction. Other girls in the house that were shown being banged, were their countries' image smeared? I beeeeggggg, let us send a domitila or a stud this time around to represent us and bang her/his way to victory. People worldwide in their supreme wisdom (or lack of it) decided to vote more for Richie than our saintly Ofu. By the way, b4 the fingergate, what part of Ofu's body she had not willingly displayed to the viewers? She was involved in the plot wt other ladies to rip clothes off Kweku. Why are Ghanaians not crying foul. BBA is about entertainment not ambasadorial posting to Vatican or great one kingdom in the middle east.

nkc:
meaning it should be 2007

Dont know if it is a question or a statement. Anyway YES.

nkc:
@inspired

, just call it 2006 toyota so that they will be happy, since u said the door panel has 11-06, i guess november 2006, so tell em 2006.75, so they can cool off,

Vehicles that are produced with material changes in the 2nd half of a year are normally labelled the model of the following year. e.g. 2008 Honda Accord started rolling off the production line in the second half of 2007. In this case, year of manufacture preceed the model year.

Na by force dem they go foreign land? If they dont want you there, stay in your country. At least you dont need DNA to be called a Nigerian.

starkay01:
can u guys please enlighten me? is VIN the same thing as engine or chasis number

VIN is chasis number not engine no. However pls note that your vehicle must have been registered/used in USA before you can enjoy carfax paid service which brauneyes and layifioren are graciously offering to us free. Thus vehicles imported from Europe wont have records in Carfax

@layifioren
Thanks a million for your early response to my enquiry and appreciation to brauneyes for pioneering the service.

Brauneyes

Can you please help with this

CRV-EX: JHLRD186XYC007495

Accord: 1HGCG1658XA034002

Thanks

At what stage do I take responsibility for the car. Before or after clearing? You only said I will be responsible for the cost of clearing. I assume I will use your agent since I am far from Lagos.

Will it come containerised or roll-on-roll-off (roro)?

If roro, how do I address possible vandalisation by wharf rats. This is Nigeria.

Is it possible for me to know how much the total cost ex-port will be. You know Nigeria, the car may land at the port cheap but the cost of clearing - legal and illegal- will wipe off any gain when compared to local sourcing.

I have read your other auto-related posts and I believe you know your stuff but will the thing reach my garage the way you sent it?