10 Places to go and Things to do in Asaba

Asaba is a city, strategically located on a hill at the western edge of the Niger River, overlooking its sister city, Onitsha, across the Niger Bridge. It is the capital of Nigeria's Delta State. The city of Asaba was once the colonial capital of the Southern Nigeria Protectorate. It was founded in 1884. It was in Asaba that the Ekumeku war was fought. The Ekumeku war was the longest resistance against British imperialism in Nigeria. The rich colonial history of Asaba along with its strategic location makes it a great place for tourists to visit in Nigeria.

1.Mungo Park House

Now a national monument, this was at some point in history Nigeria's seat of government. The Mungo Park house was built by the Lander Brothers of the Royal Niger Company, in 1886 in Asaba, present day capital city of Delta State, Nigeria. Historically, this was the first seat of government in the Southern Protectorate of Nigeria following the charter granted to the Royal Niger Company by the British Government to administer the protectorate on its behalf. The house was erected with stout and cooked wooden palm arranged vertically and horizontally. The house is named after famous Scots explorer, Mungo Park, who discovered the the River Niger.

2.Lander Brothers Anchorage

Located off the ever busy Nnebisi Road, this museum was built to the memory of the Lander Brothers, Richard and John who took over the exploration of the River Niger from Mungo Park. After a successful journey in which they found the mouth of the River Niger, the site of the museum was where they landed. The museum contains a replica of the anchor they used, the boat named Goowill which they journeyed with. It also contains written records of their voyage and various artworks depicting their interactions with the locals. After such a learning experience, there's a restaurant by the water front where you can relax and enjoy a good meal.

3.Expatriate Graveyard

This relatively small graveyard has just 17 graves. Here is the final resting place of missionaries and British colonials who came as proxies of British administration. The graves are mostly sunbleached and just one or two have legible inscriptions on them. The inscriptions give the name of the buried person and a brief summary of their life's work. The surrounding grasses are well tended too with flowers and other ornamental plants. As good a place as any to be buried.

4.Otuogu Beach

The Niger, washes the shores of the capital city, Asaba. Further downstream, it breaks into the dozens of creeks through which it empties itself into the Atlantic. This creates an amazing beach here in Otuogo. During the dry season, the golden sandbanks of the Niger are a sight to behold and ideal for relaxation.

6.The Residency

The first Headquarters of the Royal Niger Company, now allocated by the Delta State Government to the National Commission for Museums and Monuments. Containing various artefacts of the precolonial era, it is soon to be made a National Museum.

7.Ogbogonogo Modern Market.

Also located close to Asaba's famous Nnebisi road. The market a move by the government to sanitise places of trade, is very well accepted by the people. Great place to buy anything regardless of your taste and budget.

8.De Grill

Located along the famous Nnebisi road. De Grill is the place to be after a long day of seeing the sights. Featuring a natural pond where you can select fresh fish, it also comes along with a live band performance.

9.Grand Hotel

Also located along Nnebisi road, the Grand Hotel is as its name goes. With state of the art facilities and staff proffering hospitality worthy of international standards.

10.Saint Joseph's Catholic Church

Established about 100 years ago. It lays claim to being Nigeria's first church and also one of the oldest buildings.

Related: Here are some things to do in Onitsha

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