My Experience by MOMOH IKPEMOSI
Crafted in between the stony curves, the splendour of the Olumirin water fall always baffles tourists who visit Erin Ijesha in Osun state.
Approaching the water fall, you are welcome with sounds of water splashing from high miles and good scenes of rocky hills The waterfall paints a scene so perfect. it roars louder and louder.
The view at all the levels is wonderful and the freshness of the water is energizing. The fall is surrounded by towering mountains that gives you that sense of wildlife mixed with serenity as you behold the beauty nature has to offer.
The trees are very green and the scent of the environment is nothing compare to,its so magical,its a sight to behold, You have not seen paradise until you visit the fall.
It was truly an unforgettable moment. There are no wild animals to scare people as it is very safe for people to visit, the only animals there are monkeys as they are seen jumping from trees to trees. It has been an experience for a life time.
Olumirin Waterfalls is on the pedestal of one of the choicest tourist resorts in Africa.
Known for it’s famous seven waterfalls, the Olumirin Waterfalls located in Erin Ijesha is an experience not to be missed.
The cascading fall surrounded by towering mountains that gives you that sense of wildlife mixed with serenity as you behold the beauty nature has to offer.
For both tourist and locals, gaining access into the wonderful enclave cost 500 for adults and 300 for children.
Locals mostly youths in the community however are complaining of the fee charged by the new company managing the site.
Approaching the water fall, you are welcome with sounds of water splashing from high miles and good scenes of rocky hills.
Though still under construction to fit a world class tourist site, the water fall has about seven stages and with the first three major falls.
The second falls is the best place to swim. There are no rocks on the flour. It has a very wide space and very high.
The view at all the levels is wonderful and the freshness of the water is energizing. Even thou my trip to the falls end at the second stage, I doubt my strength would go further on the stony path.
The final and seventh level lies at the peak of the falls, it is also hosts a settlement where many of its inhabitants have lived for several years, my tour guide Baba Ayo Apate said.
According Baba Apate a tourist guild, “Olumirun waterfall was discovered by a hunter in the year 1140AD.
He said the water takes it source from EFON ALAYE in Ekiti State. “It is about one and a half kilometer from the town”
There are no wild animals to scare people as it is very safe for people to visit, the only animals there are monkeys as they are seen jumping from trees to trees.
Ayo Apata a guild tour who laments that development projects has been staled in the last years, he dreams of having a lift at spring to save tourist the stress of crawling on the rocky part.
He said developing the waterfall will not only be a source of revenue to the government, it will equally generate substantial employment, thus reducing the burden of unemployment in the State and the Country at large.
Through the water the slogan of the state was derived “the state of living spring” before it was changed to the “state of virtue”, the seven living springs still rock its vistors in Erin Ijesha
HOTELS NEARBY
Royal Park International Hotel
Oba Oladele Olashore way, Iloko, Ijesa, Ilesa, Iloko-Ijesa, Nigeria 
Royal Park International Hotel is situated in Iloko-Ijesa, Osun State. The hotel boasts a swimming pool.The rooms at Royal Park International Hotel are air conditioned and fitted with TVs, reading desks/chairs, ornate lampshades and gleaming tiled flooring. The rooms have en suite bathrooms.
The hotel houses an outdoor pool where guests can enjoy swimming sessions.
Car-hire and laundry service are available at an additional charge. A business centre is onsite. The premises hold ample space for onsite parking and are guarded by security personnel.
Royal Park International Hotel is situated in close proximity to the Erin Ijesha Waterfalls, Ibodi Monkey Reserve and the palace of the Ooni of Ife.
Garrett Hotel
Address: Oluwasegun Awofadeju Street, Oke Omiru, Ilesa, Oja Aba, Nigeria
Garrett Hotel is located at Oke Omiru close to Akewusola Central Mosque in Ilesa, Osun. The hotel boasts elegant rooms and offers ample parking space to all guests.
Each room is fitted with an en-suite bathroom, an air-conditioner, a fridge and a TV with cable service.
A variety of meals and drinks are served at the onsite restaurant and bar.
Laundry is offered at a surcharge. Onsite parking is available and security guards watch the premises of the hotel.
Gold City Hotel
Address: BM 31, Ayeni Ten Ten Road, Omi-Asoro, Ilesa, Ereja Square, Nigeria
Gold City Hotel is a 1 storey building situated in Ilesa, Osun State.
Each room is fully air-conditioned and fitted with a TV with satellite channels and an en-suite bathroom.
Meals and drinks are ordered at the onsite restaurant and bar.
Laundry/dry cleaning services can be arranged. The premises are guarded by security personnel and on-site parking is available.
The hotel is in close proximity to the International Brewery and the Iloko Junction.
EXPECTED IMPACT OF THE WATERFALL by Olaniyi Olatunde Akinola,tundeniyiakinola@yahoo.com.
The people living in the communities around the waterfall are expected to have the following benefits from the Government.
- Industrial development which is accompanied by good roads, supply of electricity, regular water supply, availability of good houses, hotels etc.
- Employment opportunity which encompasses local industry, farming, education and employment for medical purposes.
- Revenue generation which involves tax.
- International, national and regional relations.
- Improved living standard encompassing improved living, higher income, improved caloric intake, improved overall social well being.
- Regional development (Tourism Magazine, 2009)
RECOMMENDATION TO THE GOVERNMENT by Olaniyi Olatunde Akinola,tundeniyiakinola@yahoo.com.
The following recommendations are therefore made based on the finding of this work.
- Government should invest substantially in the development of Erin Ijesha waterfall so as to harness its vast potential for sustainable socio-economic development.
- Reputable private concerns could be partnered with to ensure profitability since attitude to government owned tourism agencies is mismanagement and official corruption.
- Enabling law should equally be enacted to protect the investment of prospective investors due to inconsistent policy characterized by change in government.
- Adequate economic and social infrastructures should be provided for the communities around the waterfall to give them a face lift befitting the status of a tourism community.