THE PEARL OF MADA LAND

In the maiden article, I channeled my energy on how the traditional marriage of Mada people of Nasarawa State is being done and the various forms (type) of marriage accepted by the Mada people.

In today’s theme, my aim is to let you discover a little more about the Mada people and how wonderful Akwanga Local Government is. Through my maiden I hope by now you might have known that Akwanga Local Government is the capital of the Mada nation or people domiciled in Nasarawa State.

So, whether you are a tourist, adventurer or even an avid reader, the blurb is certainly meant for you to familiarise yourself with the Mada people and their place.

The People:

The Mada people are well known for being peaceful, loving and accommodating. To confirm this statement, a visit to Nasarawa State and Akwanga Local government Area to be precise will convince you through the diverse tribes that coexist such as the Idoma, Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba, Tiv, Igala people to name but a few.

The Mada people are predominantly farmers, especially those living in rural areas. Crops such as guinea corn, cassava, maize, yam and rice are produced in large quantities and enjoyed by many. Agriculture is the major occupation of the Mada people in general.

In the aspect of religion, the majority of the Mada people are Christians (Orthodox and Pentecostal). A fair number of them practise Islam and traditional religion respectively.

In matters relating to inheritance, it goes to a man’s younger brother. The elders in the family are saddled with the responsibility of ensuring fairness in giving out inheritance to those involved (the man’s eldest son and the man’s younger brother) in order to avoid disputes.

The place: Akwanga

As of the 2006 census, Akwanga town has a population of approximately 122,899 people. The town is known for its diverse cultural heritage, scenic beauty and historical landmarks. The town also has a flourishing market that welcomes traders from nearby villages to sell their goods and services to the populace.

Tourist centres:

Here are some tourist attraction centres in Akwanga town:

Kini Country Inn: If you are travelling towards the Northern part of the country and you got stocked in Akwanga due to reasons beyond your control, I will recommend this wonderful place for you. It’s along Jos road. It’s a few minutes drive from the round-about in Akwanga. It has lodges and relaxation spots for guests such as swimming pools and others.

Farin Ruwa waterfalls: One of the most popular tourist attractions in Akwanga axis. Though Farin Ruwa waterfalls is located in Wamba Local Government Area, it’s one of the most recommended spots for tourists. The waterfall is about 150 metres high and is surrounded by greenery and rolling hills. Visitors can take a dip in the natural pools situated at the bottom of the Farin Ruwa falls.

Other places of interest in Akwanga town include Roma Zee Hotel, Mbakor Hotel, J.K palms and Garden and a host of others.

Typical foods: There are special delicacies that will leave you wanting for more when you have a taste of them. Below are the lists of special dishes I will recommend for you, should you find yourself in the wonderful town of Akwanga.

Kosai (Akara): This is a popular breakfast food made from black-eyed beans, spices and onion. The mixture is deep-fried and best served with pap/custard (made from cornmeal).

Tuwo-Shinkafa: It is a popular meal made from boiled rice flour and served with soup or stew made from vegetables and meat. Very delicious.

Masa: This is one of my favourite meals. It is simply made with rice flour, sugar and yeast. It is a Nigerian rice cake that is usually served with a spicy tomato sauce garnished with meat.

Ngbander soup (Okro leave soup): A typical Mada person will not let a visitor come to his home and go without letting him taste this special soup with eba, fufu, tuwoshinkaa or tuwomasara (cornmeal starch).

Tuwo Masara: It is another common meal made from cornmeal and served with okro soup, stew or ngbander soup (Okro leave soup).

Furadanono: It is a traditional Fulani breakfast made with millet flour and fermented milk. It’s so delicious.

How to get to Akwanga:

There are different routes you can take that will lead you to Akwanga though it depends on where you are stating your Journey.

Here are some few options for you:

By road: If you are coming from the eastern part of the country through Enugu State, I will recommend you go through Makurdi, Benue State capital. From there you progress to Lafia, Nasarawa state capital then from Lafia it will take you just an hour to reach Akwanga town. Also, you can take a bus or car from major cities in Nigeria like Abuja, Minna, Kano, Lagos or Kaduna. The journey will likely take some hours before you will reach Akwanga town due to checkpoints and bad roads as the case may be.

By air: currently, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport is the nearest Airport to Akwanga town. From there you can hire a taxi or board a commercial vehicle to Akwanga. The journey will take you about 2 1⁄2 hours to reach Akwanga.

By rail: The railway that passes through Gudi, a suburb of Akwanga town is currently out of use. So, there is no direct train service to Akwanga. The best option is to take a train to nearby cities like Minna or Kaduna then take a car bus to Akwanga town.

How to find accommodation in Akwanga:

Akwanga is actually a small town. The accommodations there are limited. However, there are few hotels and guest houses you can check in but if you feel the accommodations around the town are not convenient for you, you can consider getting more options in Abuja or Lafia city. These cities are not far from Akwanga town, highest in 2 1⁄2 hours when you have arrived. 

Is Akwanga safe for tourists?

Akwanga is a safe place. Even though in time past the town experienced outbreaks of violence due to ethnic, political and religious tensions. So, I will advise tourists to be up to date with the current security details and also exercise caution.

How to travel around Akwanga:

In Akwanga town, you can easily notice the presence of motorcycles and tricycles (popularly called KekeNapep). These are common means you can use to go round town for shopping and other functions. Ensure you bargain or negotiate when taking a motorcycle or tricycle so that you won’t incur unnecessary charges.