In geographical terms, a confluence is when two or more flowing bodies of water join to form a single channel. In simple terms, a confluence occurs where two rivers meet to form one.
A confluence can occur in three different ways:
- Where a small stream or river called a tributary joins a bigger river.
- Where two streams join to become a big river with another name.
- Where two separate channels of one river rejoin at another end, usually downstream.
Therefore, a confluence town is a geographical area where two or more bodies of water joined together can be located. Nigeria has a confluence town.
Table of Content hide 1Confluence town in Nigeria 1.1Lokoja, Kogi State 1.1.1Nigeria’s first capital 1.1.2Center of commerce 1.1.3Tourism 1.1.4Cultural significance 1.1.5National strategic location 2Map of Nigeria showing the confluence town 3Why is Lokoja called a confluence town? 4ConclusionConfluence town in Nigeria
Nigeria has two major rivers – Niger and Benue. They are also the largest rivers in West Africa.
The River Niger originates from the Guinean highlands in Guinea and passes through Mali, Niger, and the Benin Republic before reaching Nigeria. Thirty-six towns are situated on the bank of River Niger across five countries. These countries and their towns include:
- Bamako, the capital of Mali
- Niamey, the capital of Niger
- Onitsha, the center of trade and commerce in South-East Nigeria
- Lokoja, the confluence town in Nigeria
The Niger River is brownish. Its total length is about 4180 km; the basin area is 2,117,700km. Sq., and discharge rate (volume of water flowing at the same time) is at 5589
The River Benue begins from the Adamawa Plateau and passes through 18 towns in Africa across Cameroun and Nigeria. Its total length is 1400 km. River Benue is light green.
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Lokoja, Kogi State
Lokoja is a confluence town in Nigeria. The city is the capital of Kogi State in the North Central part of Nigeria. Over 60,000 people live in Lokoja.
The first group of people to settle in Lokoja were the Oworo people/Yoruba from Ile-Ife, Hausa and Nupe. Lokoja is a multiethnic town which means there are various festivals, events and socio-cultural activities depending on the people group. None is superior to the other.
Below are five significances of the confluence town:
Nigeria’s first capital
Lokoja is a historical town in Nigeria’s history. The first Governor-General of Nigeria, Lord Frederick Lugard, ruled the country from Lokoja during the colonial era. Lokoja’s strategic location attracted European Merchants and missionaries in the early nineteenth century. The town also served as a centre where formerly enslaved people were released after slavery was abolished. Lord Lugard’s first residence is still located at Lokoja and serves as a tourism site in the town.
Center of commerce
The confluence town is a traditional centre of commerce in the state. Agriculture is the major economy in the town, where fishing and farming are carried on extensively. There are also ferry and boat services plus cruising facilities around the confluence.
Tourism
Tourism is perhaps the biggest asset of the confluence town. Tourists interested in Nigeria’s history can visit Lord Lugard’s residence in Lokoja. The place is also referred to as Nigeria’s first statehouse.
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The aerial view of the confluence is breathtaking as it showcases an array of settlements around the confluence and nature’s wonder in the elevated landscapes. The major tourists attractions in Lokoja are:
- National Museum of Colonial History
- The confluence of River Niger and Benue
- Mount Patti famous for being the place where British journalist and writer Flora Louise Shaw gave Nigeria its name.
- Lord Lugard’s staff quarters, pre-fabricated buildings imported from Britain and assembled to provide accommodation for his senior staff.
- European cemeteries where the first Europeans that settled in Nigeria were buried
- Club 1901
- Spot where the flag of the Royal Niger Company was lowered in 1890
- The Holy Trinity School, the first primary school in Northern Nigeria. Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther established it in 1865.
- The Iron of Liberty, the spot where slaves were freed
- The cenotaph where fallen soldiers that took part in the first and second world wars were buried
- First prison yard in Nigeria
- Lugard Beach, located opposite the 500 housing unit along Ganaja Road, Lokoja
- Eateries and hotels
Cultural significance
The Niger snakes through the upper part of the country down to Lokoja and threads its way to other parts of the country, particularly the South-West. The South-West is occupied by the Yoruba, a major tribe in Nigeria. The people call the river Oya, which is worshipped and revered. Oya is the goddess of fertility and one of the wives of the god of thunder, Alaafin Sango.
Sango had three wives – Oba, Oya and Osun. Oya was the favourite wife whom Osun envied. Both wives became enemies after Oya’s advice to Osun about making the king love her more failed. The story has it that after Sango turned into a god, Oya dissolved into River Oya while Osun dissolved into River Osun, now located in Osun State.
National strategic location
Lokoja town is the only town that links all the regions in Nigeria. It also shares a border with the Nigeria Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, where the seat of government is presently located.
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Map of Nigeria showing the confluence town
Here is the map showing where the confluence town in Nigeria is located:
Why is Lokoja called a confluence town?
Lokoja is called a confluence town because it is a town where the two major rivers in Nigeria, Niger and Benue, meet. These two rivers merge to form a Y-shaped structure in what appears to be a magnificent union and drain southwards into the ocean.
It is an ancient town that could be described as Nigeria’s nodal town where all parts of the country can be accessed.
Conclusion
Lokoja is a confluence town in Nigeria rich in history, culture, trade and tourism. Like other parts of Nigeria, the tourism sector in the city is seriously underdeveloped. This is unfortunate, considering the amount of revenue that could be generated from there.
Ecotourism is one area that the government should look into as far as the confluence town is concerned. The confluence of the River Niger and River Benue should be developed into a tourist centre to attract eco-tourists into the country.
If this is achieved, it will be another effective way of diversifying the economy and lifting pressure from the oil and gas sector in the country.
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