Sight and Sounds of Delta state By; Uhunmwunwa Osaghae Alexander

          Sight and Sounds of Delta state

By; Uhunmwunwa Osaghae Alexander

Deltans are known for their hospitality, resourcefulness, vibrant and enlightened spirit with an outstandingly number of educated commuters after Imo state, and above all, they are famously known for jokes, riddles & laughter.

The name Delta is gotten from its location within the delta of River Niger, which was carved out from defunct Bendel state, on August 27, 1991. While Edo state remains her better half.

Delta state is known to be "The big heart of the Nation", a giant state rich in petroleum and agricultural produce. Delta is located in the south-south geopolitical zone of Nigeria with an estimated population size of over 4.2 million people.

View of Delta state

Delta share boundaries with Edo state to the north, Bayelsa state to the south, Rivers state to the southeast, Anambra state to the east, while Ondo state to the northwest. The state is naturally blessed with interconnected waterways, the forcados, and Escaravos rivers all used for transportation. Delta state could indisputable be called the gateway to the east.

The state can boast of a handful in state's economy with Agriculture as a mainstay, produce like yam, rice, cassava, maize, and oil palm are all grown & produced for local consumption. Above all, Delta is well known as a petroleum giant in exportation from Ughelli fields, and other existing major oil fields near Warri, which translates into a well-diversified economy within various industries, including bottling factories, glass & aluminum, plastics, rubber, plywood, natural gas, boat building, sawmilling, and furniture industry, a major steel-producing complex is also located at Aladja, adjacent to Warri.

Origins of Delta state are referred to as "Deltans", with a host of twenty-five (25) local government areas and Asaba the capital city. Asaba is located at the northern end of the state, separated by the River Niger bridge from its sister " Onitsha", Anambra state.

Settlers are majorly Igbo people to the east, Edo in the north, Itsekiri, Urhobo, Isoko, and the Ijaws in the south & west. The various ethnic groups are bound with a rich culture in the ancestral, traditional administrative way of life and pose uniqueness with dressing pattern, language, festivals, music, and folklore.

Recreation center

Despite cultural diversity, Deltans are known for their hospitality, resourcefulness, hardworking, vibrant and enlightened spirit with an outstandingly high number of educated commuters after Imo state, and above all, they are famously known for jokes, riddles & laughter.

With a beautiful culture & tradition, it is widely expected for "such" to have a mouth-watering meal. Places can't just be, when delicacies of food is not worth welcoming a visitor, but Southern Nigeria has never been short of such mouth watering delicacies with Delta most especially.

Some of the meals to look out for in Delta state are "Starch & Banga soup, Starch & Owo soup, and Nsala soup. While I take a little swallow of these, I want you to assist by "holding a chilled glass of water by yourside".

Starch & Banga soup is the most popular delicacy within the state. Banga soup is prepaid with oil & water drilled from fresh boiled palm fruit spices, and can be accompanied with fresh fish, cow's head meat, dry fish, or smoked fish.

Banga soup

Banga soup is the exact type of meal with a delicious spicy taste that keeps everyone asking for more. You can get a lifetime experience of this if you find an opportunity of visiting Ughele region.

Owo soup is the most important soup in Delta state, this soup is expected to be prepared & served in any event happening within Delta. Owo soup is believed by all that every female child of warri ought to know how to prepare this soul before she gets married because the husband will always demand it.

Owo soup with goat meat

Owo soup can be best prepared with smoked fish, bush meat, and fresh periwinkle. This juicy soup is best eaten with starch, Yam, both matured unripe and Ripe Plantain. For the people's love for this soup, it can bring an occasion to an end if not properly prepared or served in the right manner. Please, never you go out of Warri without locating its spot.

Nsala soup is the favorite soup of the Anioma people, i.e the Ibo speaking region. The soup is best prepared with bush meat, goat meat, or fish accompanied with "Fufu, Eba, or Semo", a fantastic pleasure can also be derived when eaten with boiled Yam or matured unripe Plantain.

Visiting Asaba, Agbor, and Kwala without a taste of this wonderfully prepared meals is more or less going to the "stream without bringing back water".

Delta state as the name implies is seated in the tropical rain forest with an average rainfall of about 266.5mm. It usually experiences a fluctuating climate, with a temperature increase from the South to the North. While Warri is a major town located in the south with an average daily temperature of 30°c, Asaba at the northern end experiences average of 44°c.

Due to the high amount of rainfall, it shores maintain fantastic green vegetation, suitable for tourist attraction when traveling during day or night.  With a compliment of dozens of rivers, streams, and creeks which is located along the majestic River Niger, one of the most popular African rivers.

On a daily basis, the famous river washes the shores of its capital city, Asaba. Further breaks into dozens of creeks through which it finally empties into the Atlantic. But behold, the river bank is something to witness during dry seasons, because it normally feed with golden sand which makes it a site to visit and ideal for relaxation. It's known as "Asaba beach".

The site isn't just one with sand, but complement by a beautiful environment grace with palm trees, tropical plants, and endless sunshine. Safety is not a doubt to security, but a very safe place for anyone. Outside its state capital, there are other lucrative cities & towns like Warri, Ughelli, Sapele, Abraka, Agbor, Koko, among others. While it's major seaports are located in Sapele, Warri, and Koko.

The giant petroleum state boasts of two world-class facilities which some other countries will hope to behold.

Asaba International airport

Asaba international airport possesses equipment comparable to what you can come across in big cities in the world like " Madrid, Paris, Vietnam, and favorite Amsterdam" with a list of others. While the architectural design is something rear in Africa, capable of keeping sight impressed at every look. The airport is small compared to its counterparts mentioned, but very neat and clean, with sufficient facilities for parking, and a well furnished waiting a lounge.

Although with the tremendous facilities, it may not presently be a five star, but a four-star from my point of view, because it is four times better than any other airport within the country. While other international airports in Nigeria are gasping for breath base on facilities, Asaba international airport is one without international flights. But only an idea site for tourist visit.

As finishing touch is currently ongoing, Asaba international airport could be the ideal airport for those who have long clamor for such. Both within and outside the shores of Nigeria in a short time to come. Truly with time, it could place Delta state economy as one to rival city like Lagos in revenue generation and the number of visitors this facility can naturally influences.

Stephen Keshi Stadium

Stephen Keshi stadium

The newly revamped international stadium famously known as the Asaba township stadium is well placed edifice that can compete among its counterpart outside the shores of Nigeria. The stadium has all the necessary facilities for athletes to perform well in their various sporting activities.

It has a fall short in terms of capacity compared to the likes of " Old Trafford, Sansiro, and many others " but still a good feat with 23,000 capacity for a Nigeria viewing statistic and the kind of event it will host.

Inside Stephen Keshi's stadium 

The stadium was renovated by the current governor of the state and approved by FIFA for International matches on 18 November 2018. Meanwhile, the stadium has hosted a number of high profile friendly and qualifier games. Recently, a warm-up match between the Super Eagles of Nigeria vs Zimbabwe for the Africa cup of Nations in Egypt 2019. It was a highly contested goalless draw by both teams.

The stadium has been a good site of attraction because of its tremendous facilities. Visiting Asaba without a stroll down will not be complete especially for sports lovers and athletes. Frankly speaking without much hype, Delta state could just be your ideal destination because of its history, boundaries, economy, people & culture, special delicacies, weather & climate, and most especially its natural habitat suitable for relaxation.


Pictures source: Google