The festive season is incumbent on us for the year 2019 and it is either you are where you planned to be by this time of the year or on your way there or still contemplating where exactly or preferably would be best for you to enjoy the Christmas and New Year holidays. Whichever of these categories you belong this message is for you: redirect or direct your steps to Bonny Island. That is the best destination if enjoying these holidays is your goal.

As controversial as it may sound, the facts speak for themselves. Let’s explore them so you see why, you need to be on your way there and remember not to leave your family behind. There is enough for everyone.  

Bonny, one of the 23 local government areas in Rivers State, is blessed with a unique feature of being an Island recognised the world over. This is due to its being host to global oil and gas multinationals, Shell, Nigerian LNG, Mobil, and Chevron. Known for its fresh fishes, crude oil, blue sea and white sand and having been a global hub that have been sought after right from the 16th century when the island was a central point for international trade including oil palm and other archaic exchanges, Bonny runs a traditional monarchical system in concert with the political leadership. The Island has, over the centuries, maintained a consistent growth trajectory on all fronts, especially, economically, and sustained the tempo of hosting fun seekers, the world over.

Global Icons! Ms United Nations & Mr Universe Nigeria…Bonny exports to the world

Check out ten reasons why Bonny is the best place to spend quality time out this yuletide season and beyond;

1. Security

Perhaps, the most important issue is that Bonny is highly important to Nigeria’s economy, which underscores the heavy security presence in the area. Every aspect of the nation’s security architecture is represented on the island. There is the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base, Nigerian Army Base hosting the Joint Task Force (JTF), two Police Divisions in Bonny and Finima, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Command, among others. But beyond these is the fact that the people of Bonny are peace loving and will not tolerate anything that will affect the economic viability of the Island. Added to this is that every person is somehow related across families, and with a thriving traditional communal system in place that ensures everyone has someone who could talk to him. This is why Bonny Island, and all its adjoining communities, is adjudged the safest part of the Niger Delta, nay Nigeria.

2. Hospitality

Bonny people are popularly known to be hospitable and accommodating right from the days of the late celebrated environmentalist, Kenule Beeson Saro Wiwa, who had served as government administrator in the 60s in Bonny. Then he had described Bonny as ‘a home away from home’ while being asked on his Education plans for Bonny on assumption of office as Education Commissioner in the 70s. The average Bonny man will be enthusiastic at hosting a guest or stranger luxuriously as a way of servicing his reputation. The people love being seen in good light which by extension guarantees the love for strangers that has now become a way of life.

3. Uninterrupted Power Supply

This yuletide season isn’t the best time to spend your days or nights in the dark and at the mercy of the unbearable heat that is the hallmark of the season. More reason why you need to be in Bonny cos it is unarguably the only place in Nigeria that enjoys steady electric power supply. Since 2006 when the multinationals operating on the Island came up with the steady power supply infrastructure, Bonny has been in blazing illumination to the evident admiration of residents and visitors. The experience is such that nobody does generating sets while those already there are rusting away because of none usage. Should there be germane reasons for power interruption, notices are given three days to a week ahead and such infrequent interruption, which does not exceed six hours, does not happen in ages. The Bonny Utility Company, which manages the power and water supply in the area, prioritizes the yuletide season and ensures no outages happen. So, it doesn’t matter whether you are staying with your host or lodging in a hotel, there is light all through and the air-conditioning system in all the hotels in Bonny Island run 24/7, meaning no sweating for you.   

4. Seaside Experience

Bonny, as an Island is surrounded by beautiful sea shores, verdant vegetation and inviting seas, rivers and creeks with entertaining waves. One, on a high-rise building, could be entertained with this rare gift of nature and a further choice to visit the beach will leave one thrilled by the dazzling demonstration of the waves dancing in turns and begging for gaze. You can walk the shorelines, swim in the rivers, dance on the sands, and even sit around wherever you please. A visit to the shorelines of Bonny Island will help you realise that Miami Beach, Hawaii Beach or Dubai shores are nothing.

5. Tasty Nutritious Foods

You can’t afford to miss this one…Bonny is where your nutrition and health are prioritized courtesy of the razzmatazz of delicacies on display around the community. ‘Beleki’ is the word for delicious, nutritious and never-to-be forgotten experience kinds of foods. Whichever type of soup you choose to enjoy, be it odu fulo (native soup), fresh fish peppersoup, afang, edikang ikong, egusi soup, among several others are not only available in different restaurants around town but will sure be spiced up with assorted kinds of sea foods such as mgbe (oysters), ngolo (clams), esam (periwinkles), oshi (snails), ofingo (whelks), ikoli (crabs), and fish such as agbara (red snapper) atabala (tilapia), croaker, sardines, catfish, and shark, among others. Rice is available in all its varieties: fried, with stew, with peppersoup, jollof, etc; so are other types of foods. You sure will have your taste buds thanking you for visiting Bonny this season. Contemplating where to see and savour these delicacies?

6. Finima Nature Park

Ever had a feel of nature up close and personal? Nature at its verdant state? Then Finima Nature Park is it. This is a tamed forestry reserve in Bonny bearing the typicality of its ancient days. Finima Nature Park tells you the story of Bonny in sights and sounds, furnishing its visitors with a quick overview of the life and times of the olden days. The wonders of Finima Nature Park have continually left its visitors in awe. Imagine beholding the animals you have seen in the zoos of this world and watched on National Geographic up close. Different species of reptiles, animals, fishes, and all of that walking, swimming, and jumping by from tree to tree. You haven’t seen nothing until you’ve taken a walk through Finima Nature Park.  

7. Coconut Estate

As the name implies, this is an estate housing only coconut trees. Lying along one of the most important creeks in the Island that serves as gateway to the hinterlands across the Island, it could also accessed by land through Akiama Community. Aside the array of coconut trees from which you could pluck freely and eat on the spot or take home – though not for sale – you can do boat rides from Coconut Estate to different villages such as Epelema, Iloma, Oloma, Okpoma, Burukiri, Polokiri, Isile-Ogono, dan-Jumbo, Greens-Iwoama, Otobia, Iynoba-Ama, and several others, and this creates memorable experiences.

8. Affordable Accommodation

Comfort is another name for Bonny, and businesses, especially, the hospitality industry, don’t play with this particular characteristic. In a bid to accord their guests cozy comfort, hoteliers in Bonny go the extra mile to reflect moderation on room charges, excellence and quality in their services given the fact that they often play host to expatriates from across the globe working on the Island. Most interestingly, these hostels are considerably affordable depending on the buoyance of the patronizer. One could get a comfortable room for N5,000 equivalent to a room going for between N10,000  to N15,000 in Port Harcourt or Abuja. This is possible because of the ease of doing business obtainable on the Island. And all hotels in Bonny are accessible and have cabs on call at any time. Awanta Guest House, Hotel de Telavee, St. Charles Guest House, Jericho Suites, The Court, and Bonny Delight are some of the hotels in town where you can find good comfort and relaxation during your stay in Bonny.

9. Events Combo

Let’s add the exciting events lined up end to end, some already trending in the area. Doesn’t matter what you want there is an event for you. From social to cultural to religious to intellectual events; there is a potpourri of ticketed and free events that are of international repute holding in Bonny this season. Check them out:  world class marathon, Bonny Island Marathon held already December 7, followed by Fashion in My Town on December 13, Miss Bonny Pride 2019 on December 15, Official Opening of Island Bukka, December 24, Christmas Funfair and Street Praise, December 25, Bonny Unity Carnival, December 15-26, Ibani Beach Carnival, December 22 to January 2, and BONFEST and Bonny Uncensored on December 27. Aside these there are several cultural plays trending in town already with the climax being the Nwaotam masquerade on December 25.

Incidentally, the Christmas Funfair and Street Praise being organized by the oldest cathedral in sub-Saharan Africa, the St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Bonny in conjunction with Mayor Ala Hart Foundation will hold same day.  It will feature gospel greats like Steve Crown, Preye Odede, Molly B, Sensational Bamidele, Empraiz, among others. You can’t miss this event, never!

10. Possibility of Getting a Spouse

Since it is a festive season, families within and outside the country will be trooping in for holidays, which cuts across young people and the advanced in age. Students in higher institutions whose parents are home based will be coming back home as well, thus there will be a high concentration of singles, especially, well groomed and dainty looking females, as well as working class males retiring for some time off the hustle and bustle of work. And you can be sure Bonny has the best of wife materials, whole nine yards – whether you need culinary experts, fashion aficionados, home makers, best moms, Marlians, and what have you. It will, therefore, be a golden opportunity to run your choices on a life partner over there in Bonny, this period.

11. Possible Opportunities For 2020

Bonny is inarguably an industry hub and being on the Island for vacation is an opportunity to create new contacts, social connections and alliances that will be contributory to the actualization of your goals and set targets for the ensuing year. Needless to say that NLNG Train 7, the construction of the Bonny/Bodo Road, amongst other world class projects, simultaneously transpiring on the Island, might be necessary to key into which begins with building relationships. Get into town now already and spread your tentacles, never know who you will be opportune to meet.

12. Thrilling Travel

Wondering how to get to Bonny? No hassles, depending on where you are coming from, you can get there in no time at all. From the Ogoni axis, you can access Bonny from Kaa Waterfront or through Bodo. It’s about an hour’s boat ride from there to any of Dappa-Posie, Igoni-Polo or Coconut Estate waterfronts in Bonny. From Port Harcourt, you could do an hour’s boat ride from Bonny/Nembe/Bille waterfront off Creek Road to Coal Beach, Bonny. While the Ogoni axis will cost you about N1,000, the Port Harcourt route costs N2,200, aside bus/taxi fare.

You could also book a 15 minute flight from Airforce Base, Port Harcourt via Donnier Airlines, the company providing the flight service for Nigeria LNG, for just N5,000 to Finima Airstrip, Bonny or do a 45 minutes flight from Abuja or Lagos for only N27,000 doing same airline and same destination. Whichever mode of transportation you opt for, one thing is certain, it will sure be a thrilling experience traveling to and from Bonny Island this yuletide season.

Photo Credits: Dr Bara Kabaka Brown, Bonny Island Magazine, BID Photography, Bonny Island Drone