By Iyabo Titilola Ola-Olorun

I grew up in a family that loves going on expeditions and hiking. This love for adventure is largely due to my father’s profession and love for the outdoors. Babatunde Akinola Egbedina was a social worker and an instructor with the CITIZENSHIP AND LEADERSHIP TRAINING CENTER (also known as ‘Man’o’war’).

The centre was one of the precursors and inspiration for the NATIONAL YOUTH SERVICE CORP. It is like a paramilitary training school. My late father was therefore one of the founding instructors at the commencement of the NYSC in 1973.

Prior to this time, the Citizenship and Leadership Training Center was the training ground for Nigerian leaders. I remember my late dad mentioned that General Yakubu Gowon was one of his students. Many years later, when I met the General, he could recollect my dad and asked after him, but by that time my dad had gone to be with the Lord.
Growing up, my father ensured that at least we went on picnics, expeditions, or hiking, either on the beach or on an island in Lagos.

Hence, very early in life, he taught us swimming, kayaking, and survival techniques. After service every Sunday, it was not unusual for us to end up at the Bar Beach, Kuramo Waters, or the Onikan Swimming Pool.

Whenever the center was running a course, he ensured that if we were on holidays, we participated in some of the activities. We took part in several expeditions from Apapa to Ibeshe, to Badagry, and Maroko and the environs.
It was therefore not a surprise to my siblings that when when my husband decided to come back home to Ekiti State twenty years ago, the Ekiti mountains kept beckoning. I first saw the advert for the Ekiti Hiking and Easter Safari about five years ago. I therefore started making inquiries about it.

This culminated in my joining the hikers to conquer the ABANIJORIN MOUNTAIN AND CAVE in Ekiti with the governor,H.E Abiodun Abayomi Oyebanji of Ekiti State in April 2024. I invited one of my former adult literacy students, Mrs. Victoria Onipede. It was a nostalgic experience as I recollected my late father taking us around the SHERE HILLS area in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria in the early 70s.

Since that first hiking in Ekiti, I have joined the Ado Ekiti branch of the Nigerian Bar Association to the Arinta Waterfalls and Mountain in 2024 during Law Week. subsequent hikes to the Efon Alaaye Mountains, which was termed DINING IN THE CLOUDS (April 2025).

A repeat visit to the ABANIJORIN MOUNTAIN AND CAVES was made by me in 2025 during Law Week of the Ado Ekiti branch of the Nigerian Bar Association.

During the 2025 mountain safari and hiking, I invited the wife of the ASA of Ado Ekiti, Deaconess Ronke Ogunleye. She was so excited to join me, and we climbed the Efon Alaaye Mountains together. Our amiable governor, H.E Abiodun Abayomi Oyebanji, was also there to motivate other hikers.
Deaconess Ronke Ogunleye expressed the difficulty she experienced when trying to register for the expedition. She mentioned that, as both of us were above 60 years of age, there was no portion for us to fill in the application form. I told her that since they didn’t put that option in the form, they probably were not expecting people of our age to join.

I realized later that Deaconess Ronke Ogunleye and I were probably the oldest adventurers on that journey to the Efon Alaaye Mountains.

Climbing mountains tests your limits. I remember with nostalgia my second visit to the ABANIJORIN Mountain and Cave. Finding myself at the top of the mountain and looking down was both scary and breathtaking. The Director General of Tourism, Mr Wale Ojo Lanre, and the SA to the governor on tourism, Peculiar Ekiran, were on hand to encourage me not to give up.
Going on expeditions and mountaineering offers more than physical adventure. It cultivates inner resilience and mental toughness. It makes you realize that you can accomplish more than you think you can. It brings to life the Bible verse, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). Facing fatigue and uncertainty builds endurance. It helps you persist under pressure and not give up.

Successful expeditions require meticulous planning. They foster discipline and attention to detail. When you push beyond your comfort zone, you gain a clearer understanding of your strengths and weaknesses.
Climbing to the top of the mountain instills confidence and a sense of accomplishment. It also deepens your respect for nature and appreciation for your environment. Creativity is enhanced. It is not unusual for a person to receive inspiration to write a poem or a song. It also promotes problem-solving skills, as unexpected challenges may arise and solutions have to be proffered. For example, my late father shared how during one of his expeditions in Jos, Plateau State, they came across a swarm of bees. He had to instruct all his students to lie flat on the floor of the mountain, as bees cannot fly lower than a particular height.

Thus, the students were saved. He mentioned that a particular student who kept running from the bees was pursued by them, and he had to forcefully push him down on the floor in order to save him from being stung.
Climbing improves cardiovascular endurance, overall fitness, and mental well-being. Standing on top of a mountain reminds us of the vastness of the world and the limits of human control and keeps us humble. Mountaineering and going on expeditions is not about reckless risk-taking but about calculated decision-making. It teaches you how to assess danger and act courageously. The solitude and beauty of the landscape from the top of the mountain create time for reflection, purpose, and spiritual introspection and renewal.
Being aware of your surroundings and environment is part of education. People must make a conscious effort to know more about their community. Nigerians should not wait for Mungo Park to come and discover the River Niger.

Many tourist attractions and assets lie in many places in Nigeria, waiting for their value to be harnessed. I pray that God will give our leaders wisdom to make our country safe again and to use the resources present in our environment for the good of our great country, Nigeria.

God bless Nigeria.

Mrs Iyabo Titilola Ola-Olorun is the pioneer Chief Registrar, Ekiti State Customary Court of Appeal. She’s retired.

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