[dropcap custom_class=”normal”]Mount Patti is a massive hill that towers over Lokoja. It has a plateau that measures approximately fifteen square kilometres, from which one can see the confluence point of Rivers Niger and Benue. Patti is a Nupe native name for a “hill” Hence the famous mountain towering about 452.3M above sea level over the city of Lokoja once provided refuge sites for natives has come to be known as Mount Patti as it was first referred to by early European visitors. [/dropcap]
Lord Frederick Lugard discovered the beauty and strategic position of this massive hill which stands above 33M above the level of the Niger valley, early enough he built his rest house on the top of the hill and could enjoy the view of the beautiful scenery around Lokoja.
From the top of Mount Patti, one can view both the confluence & Ajaokuta Steel Rolling Mill at a far distance. Lord Lugard’s then Mistress- Flora Shaw who at that time was a correspondent for Reuters News Agency suggested that the country be named Nigeria.
Niger-Benue Confluence, Lokoja
The confluence of these two great rivers creates a beautiful scene visible from the top of Mount Patti.
The Niger snaking its way through the upper part of the country down to Lokoja and even threading to other parts of the land especially the South West where it is revered and even deified. Yoruba call the Niger River Oya. It is believed to be one of the wives of the fiery Alaafin Sango, in fact his favourite. She is also considered to be a goddess of fertility.
This as the great Benue comes from the other direction. Throughout the paths of the great rivers as it is elsewhere around the world, life sprouts. Little wonder why the first Governor General of Nigeria Lord Frederick Lugard ruled the new nation from Lokoja. The city has since grown in bounds particularly now with its proximity to the seat of power: Abuja.
Agbaja Plateau
Located about fourteen kilometres from Lokoja, Agbaja is a town situated on top of a plateau which is 335.2 metres above sea level.
Koton-Karfe Cave
The Koton-Karfe cave has three openings on the elevated side of a hill directly overlooking Koton-Karfe. It is believed that the cave can accommodate about 500 people.
Egeneja Warm Spring
This is a natural warm spring in the Bassa LGA.
Earth Bridge
This natural wonder is located at Egane in the Ofu LGA. This massive rock serves as a natural bridge over the River Niger for both vehicular and human traffic.
Ofejiji Fall
The Ofejiji fall is located in Okura-Olafia and is a major tourist attraction in Kogi State.
Okoro-Agbo Mountain
The Okoro-Agbo Mountain is a spectacular hill formation located in Ogidi in the Ijumu LGA.
Kpata Rocks
These beautiful rock formations are located in the Bassa LGA.
Awo Tunnel, Idah LGA
This tunnel, which is approximately one kilometre long, was dug during the reign of Onoja Oboni in the eighteenth century to serve as a hiding place for members of the royal family during wartime.
Aafin-Kabba
The Aafin-Kabba is the old Obaro’s palace located in the Kabba LGA. It is made of mud and according to history is about two centuries old.
Monuments and Museums
The National Museum in Lokoja was established in 1989. The museum’s collections focus on colonial history and ethnography. It has a permanent exhibition on the importance of the Niger-Benue confluence to Nigerian history.
Lord Lugard’s Residence and Office
This colonial monument was Lord Lugard’s first residence and office in Nigeria. It was constructed in 1901. The materials used in constructing the building were imported from England. The residence is located in the Lokoja LGA.
Royal Niger Company Flag Spot
This was the spot in Lokoja where the Royal Niger Company’s flag was lowered in 1890. Sir George Tubman Goldie founded the United African Company (UAC) in 1879 (Later renamed the National African Company) to unite British traders whose activities were along the River Niger and to protect them from aggressive 
competition from the French. As his vision was to add to the British Empire territories of the middle and lower Niger, the company signed many treaties with local chiefs and kings. Following the Berlin conference (1884-85) where Africa was partitioned among colonial powers and the consequential acquisition of the lower Niger from French forces, a charter was granted to the NAC giving it the protection of the royal forces. This came with another change in name from NAC to the Royal Niger Company.
World War Cenotaph
The cenotaph was erected in Lokoja to the memory of the soldiers who died during the two World Wars. 
It features a list of names of some of the British and Nigerian soldiers who distinguished themselves in the wars on a tablet.
Inikpi Statue
This is the statue of Inikpi, the legendary beloved daughter of Attah Igala, who offered to be buried alive in order to save her father’s kingdom during a war with the Jukuns. The statue is situated in Lokoja.
Holy Trinity School, Lokoja
Holy Trinity School was the first primary school to be established in Northern Nigeria. It was founded in 1865 by Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther. 
The establishment of the school represented the beginnings of English education and literacy in northern Nigeria. It stands within the grounds of Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Lokoja and is
still in operation under the control of government. Picture of the first primary school in Northern Nigeria, founded in 1865 under Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther, and thus representing the beginnings of boko learning and english literacy north of the Niger.
European Cemetery, Lokoja
This cemetery contains the remains of missionaries and European soldiers. It is the largest of its kind in Nigeria. 
The biggest European cementary in Nigeria with remains of European soldiers of the West African Frontier Force (WAFF) in Lokoja until 1926 and those of European missionaries. Some of the tomb stones in the cementaries date as far back as 1867.
The Iron of Liberty
The Iron of Liberty refers to the place where slaves were freed in 1860 by the anti-slavery British crusaders. The 
area is marked with two iron poles. Lokoja, because of its location near the banks of River Niger, was an important centre for the slave trade in Nigeria.
Deposed Emirs’ Graveyards, Lokoja
These are the graveyards of the emirs of Kano, Zaria and Bida who were deposed and exiled for opposing the British authorities during the colonial era.
Late Attah Ebira Palace
This is the palace of the first Attah of Ebira. The imposing building was built in 1927 and is a combination of ancient and modern architecture.
Uloja Native Authority Guest House
Uloja Native Authority Guest House is located in Dekina. It is where Ameh Oboni, the Attah Igala (traditional leader of the Igala people) renowned for his brave resistance of the British and his struggles to uphold the ancient traditions of the Igalas, hanged himself after discovering a plan by the British to depose and exile him.
Festivals
The state boasts of several rich and colourful festivals. These include:
Italo Festival
The Italo festival is an annual assembly of all Igala sons and daughters at home and abroad involving traditional music and dances at Anyigba. During this festival, the Attah of Igala (the paramount ruler of the Igala Kingdom) makes a special address to his subjects.
Ekuechi Festival
This is an annual festival in Ebiraland held to mark the end of the lunar year. It is a unique occasion characterized by dances and philosophical songs.
Ovia-Osese
This is a traditional festival held by the Ogori-Magongo people celebrating the chastity of women and the initiation of adolescent girls into womanhood.
Deposed Emirs’ Graveyards, Lokoja
This is an annual fishing festival held in Lokoja conducted on the River Niger.
Egbe Festival
This is an annual rite of reburial for past Onus of Egume in the Dekina LGA.
Epa Festival
The Epa festival is an annual masquerade festival celebrated at Iya Gbedde in the Ijumu LGA.
Ogani Festival
Ogani is an annual festival of war dances celebrated in Idah and Ankpa.
Oganyiganyi
This is an annual masquerade festival celebrated at Idah by the Attah Igala.
Source: http://zodml.org
