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The South
LAGOS: Lagos is a busy and overcrowded city, reputed to be the most expensive in the world. Its commercial and administrative centre is on Lagos Island at the heart of the city, linked to the mainland by two road bridges. Ikoyi and Victoria islands are also connected to Lagos Island, and both have wealthy residential areas and beautiful gardens. The National Museum at Onikan on Lagos Island houses numerous exhibits of Nigeria’s ancient civilisations and has a craft centre which sells examples of Nigerian craft at fixed prices. In the Jankara Market on Lagos Island, one can bargain for locally dyed cotton and handwoven cloth, herbs and leather goods.
THE SOUTHWEST: Ibadan is famous for its university and its market (one of the biggest in Nigeria). It is a convenient base for trips to the other, more traditional, old towns of the Western State.
The large, traditional town of Oyo has some old Portuguese-style houses and is the site of the capital of the old Yoruba Empire.
Oshogbo is the founding centre of the internationally renowned school of Oshogbo art and home of the shrines and grove of Oshun, the Yoruba goddess of fertility. The famous Oshun Shrine is to be found here. The Oshun Festival takes place towards the end of August each year.
Ile-Ife, the ancient name of the town of Ife, is the cradle of Yoruba culture, and includes the Ife Museum, which has many fine bronze and terracotta sculptures dating back to the 13th century. The university here is a centre for batik-dying. Akure is a good base from which to explore the seven Olumirin Waterfalls.
THE MOUTH OF THE NIGER: Modern Benin City is a rapidly developing metropolis, but there are a few reminders of its long Yoruba history. The old city’s moat and wall survive in places and the National Museum houses an interesting collection of Benin royal art. The Oba’s Palace is worth visiting, although permission needs to be obtained in Lagos.
Many of the villages in Cross River State are of interest for their handicrafts and traditions of magic, but may only be accessible by foot or canoe. Sapoba, Abaraka, Sapele, Warri and Auchi, however, can be reached by road.
Calabar is a pleasant town in a beautiful setting, high on a hill above the Calabar River. Ikot Ekepne is the centre for beautiful baskets and carvings, and at Oron there is a museum renowned for its exhibits of Ibibio and Efik carvings. Ikom, on the road to Cameroon, has curious carved monoliths set in circles.
Port Harcourt has long been an important merchant port and is today the centre of Nigeria’s oil industry.
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