ZARIA TO ILORIN BY ROAD: A TRAVELER’S GUIDE

For the majority, road travel is the easiest and most convenient if not the cheapest means of getting around the country, particularly these two cities. Zaria is a major city in Kaduna state while Ilorin is the capital of Kwara state, the largest city in the state and located in the North-central region, although close to the south-western region as well.

THE BEST PLACE(S) TO GET AN ILORIN-BOUND VEHICLE IN ZARIA

Dadi motor park flyover: Take a bus from pretty much anywhere and ask to be dropped off at Dadi Motor Park along Samaru road where you’ll find the usual types of vehicles : Buses, which go for 3,500 naira, and Siena minivans which go for 4,500-4,700 naira.

Okin motors at Benin street: Board a bus or rickshaw (no taxis available in Zaria) going to Sabongari and stop at Warri street which, while being the last bus-stop for commercial vehicles, is not far away from Benin street so you can easily walk to the Park or have a porter carry your bags for you. The only type of vehicles in this park going to Ilorin is the Siena minivans which charge a fare in the 4,500 naira range

WHICH MOTOR PARK TO CHOOSE

Of the two motor parks, I personally prefer the Okin motor Park because they have a corresponding park in Ilorin and that’s exactly where you’ll be dropped off at. Also, their prices are more stable than those at Dadi Park.

WHAT/HOW TO PACK

• Make sure all your belongings are packed into as few bags as possible from home/ where you’re coming from to ensure you can manage them easily.

• When you get to the park you’ll be set upon by different alabarus (porters loitering around waiting for passengers with heavy luggage) who’ll flat out demand to carry your bags to the vehicle going to Ilorin, you have a choice of firmly indicating a “No” with your head and walking past them or surrendering your bag(s) to them if they’re heavy, however be sure to keep a close watch on the porter and your bag(s)

• When you get to the Ilorin-bound vehicle place your large bag(s) in the trunk and let the driver know if you have any fragile items inside so they can be arranged properly. Also, ensure that your most valuable, portable items (such as phone, wallet, keys, identification, PC etc) are kept with you in a smaller bag or on your person.

• On no condition should you have any sort of camouflage material with you especially clothing items and travelling bags. With them being banned, they are a perfect excuse for policemen to extort money from, and delay the whole travelling party in the event of the extortion not being successful inconveniencing you and your fellow passengers in the process.

TIME TAKEN

The trip from Zaria to Ilorin usually takes about 9hrs 30 mins, taking into consideration road and weather conditions as well as the seemingly countless bribe collection centres the policemen call their roadblocks

SNACK AND RESTROOM OPTIONS

You can make a selection from a wide range of snack choices at each of the parks, from barbecued meat to Gala and drinks. There are some public restrooms available at each park but (personal preference, mind), I prefer to leave the house with an empty bladder and eat sparingly along the journey rather than make use of the public restrooms provided. Also, there is a rest stop at Gwada in Niger state

PERSONAL TIPS FOR THE FIRST-TIME TRAVELER TO ILORIN

• Evacuate your bowels before leaving the house.

• Make sure you fill the personal information form supplied to passengers and also take down the licence plate number of the vehicle and pass on to as many friends as possible (and make sure the driver sees you taking down the plate number)

• Make sure your most valuable possessions are kept close to hand in a carryon or a small bag, not just because of theft but also because of the way items are stacked carelessly in the trunk.

• I prefer sitting up front beside the driver, asides being the most comfortable seat in the vehicle, it’s also within easy reach of the charging port so you can listen to music, read, surf the internet (where coverage exists on the road) without running your battery flat. Barring that, leave the house with a full charge and a powerbank if you have one.

GETTING TO YOUR DESTINATION

You’ll be dropped off at Okin Motor Park near the Government Secondary School (GSS) at Fate (pronounced Fah-tey).

Enjoy your trip.