Showcasing the Tourism Potentials of Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria

Kogi State is one of the 36 states of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with Lokoja as the capital. Objective of the Study: To quantify the tourism potentials (abiotic and biotic) of some tourism sites in Lokoja, because information is needed for tourism development, marketing and promotion. Instruments Used: Surveying tape, Global Positioning system (GPS), Prismatic compass clinometers, appropriate books for vegetation identification, writing materials for noting field observations and a digital camera. Data collection involved stock assessment, direct measurements (quantitative) of the tourism resources on sites including their qualitative assessment. Results obtained are GPS readings of Latitudes and Longitudes in degrees and minutes, Elevations in metres, Bearing in degrees, Length and Breadth, Height of buildings and wall thickness in metres and vegetation identification. Tourism resources at the sites were also recorded. These tourists’ attractions (heritage, relics) are unique and are not available anywhere else in the world.


Introduction
The needs of tourists are different thus, serving tourists is dynamic. Few people understand tourism and what is required to develop successful tourism products. A community's resources are its culture; traditions, shops, leisure facilities, etc. They represent the core resource base for tourism. Tourism use of tourist resources, both natural and cultural, should be non-consumptive, so that they are always available [1].
Tourism represents one of the few economic opportunities available to remote communities. It provides real opportunities to reduce unemployment and create employment for disadvantaged people and stimulate development. Tourism has proven to revitalize cultures and traditions. Tourism can provide an economic incentive to conserve natural and cultural assets. Tourism has been shown to foster greater understanding between peoples and a greater global consciousness [2]. Kogi State is one of the 36 states of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is reputed as the museum of Nigerian colonial history, as enumerated thus.
NATURAL LAND FEATURES: RIVERS: Among the rivers in Kogi State are the largest rivers in West Africa, rivers Benue and Niger [3]. River Benue with its source from one of the Cameroon Mountains and river Niger, one of the longest rivers in the world, with its source at Futa Djallon plateau on the borders of Sierra Leone and the Gulf of Guinea converge in Lokoja, forming a Y-shaped confluence called Niger/Benue confluence. The confluence flows southwards into the Sea. This confluence was discovered by the Lander brothers in 1830. At the peak of the dry season, the Confluence Island can accommodate over 10,000 holidaymakers. It is a beautiful attraction for carnivals, picnics, wedding receptions, crusades etc. [3]. Flora Shaw was said to have coined the name 'Nigeria' (Niger-area) from the top of this mount while viewing river Niger, when she was working as a foreign journalist during the colonial era. She later got married to Lord Lugard [3]. MOUNTAINS: Mount Patti. Patti is a Nupe word for hill. It  Lokoja is the capital of Kogi State, it has a wealth of tourist resources (natural and historical relics) lying fallow, which, with proper organisation, packaging, presentation for tourist enjoyment and marketing, will diversify and strengthen the economic base of the State, both Government and citizens, improve the aesthetic value of the environment, conserve the gene pool within the State and generate gainful employment opportunities for the teaming unemployed. It will open up new business horizons to potential entrepreneurs and open up the state to the influx of the international community, thus attracting foreign investors for the benefit of earning foreign exchange by the state. This will result in revenue and wealth generation; improve the standard of living of the citizenry through well-developed sustainable tourism. Thus converting conservation areas in Lokoja into money spinning tourism centers with attractions comparable to those sought after anywhere in the world.
The objective of the study was to quantify the tourism potentials (abiotic and biotic) of some tourism sites in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State.

Study Area
Lokoja is a city in Nigeria (Figure 1). It lies at the confluence of the Niger and Benue rivers. It is the 4th biggest city in Kogi and is the capital of Kogi State ( Figure 2). The straight distance between Lokoja and Abuja is 101 miles (162 kilometres). The city accommodates a population of 60,579. Weather records are as follows: Temperature is 85˚F (29˚C), Wind Speed at 4 mph (6 km/h) and 67% Humidity. Latitude is 7˚47'48.77"N while Longitude is 6˚44'25.73"E [7] with an altitude 45 to 125 metres above sea level. It is situated on the western bank of the River Niger close to its confluence with River Benue and sandwiched between the River and the Mount Patti [8].

The Tourism Sites for This Study
1) The tourism board of Kogi State-Lokoja (Plate 7) 2) The cenotaph-Lokoja 3

Data Collection
This involved quantifying and taking direct measurements of the tourism resources available on the study sites including their qualitative assessment i.e. whether sites are neat or unkempt, attractive or unattractive, maintained or in Vegetation identification was with the aid of important plant identification books such as "Some changes and corrections …" [9]. The useful plants of West tropical Africa [10], Flora of West African trees volume 1 part one and two and volume 2 [11], A handbook of West African weeds [12]. The flora of Nigeria: grasses [13], Traditional medicine and Pharmacopoeia [14].
Instruments employed in the course of the study include: surveying tape, Global Positioning System (GPS), appropriate books for vegetation identification, writing material for noting field observations and a digital camera.
The following data were collected at the tourism sites 1) Measurements of length, breadth and heights were obtained using the surveying tape.
2) Coordinates of sites were obtained using the Global Positioning system (GPS).
3) Identification of trees and shrubs present were carried out using appropriate materials.    On this spot the flag of the Royal Niger Company was lowered for the last time on January 1 st 1900.

Concrete pillar of British Government
Situation report: With the successive visits to this place since the inception of this study, the structure, fence and gate have been observed to be in good conditions even the white paint. Message enclosed with "The Iron of Liberty" and the portrait of Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther: Lokoja, because of its location near the banks of river Niger, it was an important centre for slave trade during Nupe wars. Also because of the strategic location as a confluence of the two rivers-Niger and Benue, Lokoja aroused a great deal of interest for the European explorers and missionaries in the early 19 th century and it soon became a commercial post for European merchants and missionaries. Hence when the British government started to wage war against slave trade, Lokoja became a collection centre for slaves seized from slave merchants to be consequently set free, the spot where such slaves were freed is marked with a piece of iron pole now referred to as the Iron of Liberty presented to Holy Trinity church, Lokoja, (Jakusa Marble Industry, LTD).

The Three European Cemeteries, Lokoja
The GPS readings, Compass bearings, sizes, number of tombs, name of plants, name of author of plants, vegetation types and number of each plant are presented in Table 1.
Four of the best tombs in these cemeteries were constructed by some European tourists who visited and saw the tombs of their relatives and paid a company to erect the four tombs.

Conclusion
Ecotourism management should be part of the social responsibilities of the Kogi State Government aimed at providing economic and social activities that support host communities. The tourists' attractions/heritage or relics in Lokoja are unique and are not available anywhere in the world.

Recommendations
There is a need for interesting and deliberate local and international publicity and marketing of the various tourist attractions in the state, particularly, those in Lokoja for a start. As a matter of urgency, cable transportation from Tourism Board straight to the top of Mount Patti is needed to increase tourist patronage.
There is an urgent need for a functional airport with local and international wings in Kogi State to encourage both local and international tourist patronage.
Private investors are encouraged to take particular note of the recommendations, with a view to investing in this aspect of Nigeria.
Further research is needed as to how to implement the aforementioned recommendations.

Conflicts of Interest
The author declares no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.