Jos.
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Overview

Jos is the state capital of Plateau State in North Central Nigeria. Before the unrest that has shaken the region, the city's cool climate, scenic plateau location and colonial importance made it a popular tourist destination. It is a city of about 810,000 people (2015).

Understand

Jos is inhabited by various ethnic groups and chiefs, of whom are indigenous Afizere, Berom, Anaguta, Bugi, Mwagwavul, Angas, Tarok and many more from other areas of Nigeria, such as Yoruba and Igbo, Hausa and many southerners displaced from other northern cities in the aftermath of religious violence.

Jos is an old city, one of the first built in Nigeria during colonial rule. Jos has always been the home of many cultures. Because of its old structure, Jos has been a very hard place for the government to renovate. Although places like Rayfield and other new settlements have the feeling of living in a developed city, its oldest sites and tourist locations most certainly are very outdated.

The Berom are one of the three largest groups in the city and environs. According to the locals, the prominent people in the Lamingo district are the Afizere also called by the Hausa exonym, Jarawa. The language of the Berom is Berom (the largest Plateau language spoken in Nigeria) and that of the Afizere is called Izere, with the third group being the Irigwe who speak Rigwe; however, the dominant language spoken across the city is Hausa. Some of the common names you hear around the Berom speaking areas are Jang, Pam, Dung, Dalyop; names you would hear in the Izere speaking areas are Azi, Izang, Arin, Itse, Aware for males and Adar, Agyer, Atong, Kushim for females. Lamingo occupies an expanse of land - high lands and lowlands inclusive. Flat terrain of rocks seen in isolation and in groups bound this area.

In Jos, the dry season is hot and partially cloudy, while the rainy season is warm, humid, and cloudy. The average annual temperature fluctuates between 53°F and 92°F; it is seldom lower or higher than 48°F or 97°F. The average daily maximum temperature during the 2.5-month hot season, which runs from February 11 to April 27, is above 88°F. April is Jos's hottest month, with average highs of 90°F and lows of 66°F. The average daily high temperature during the 2.9-month cool season, which runs from July 7 to October 4, is below 79°F. December is Jos's coldest month of the year, with average lows of 54°F and highs of 84°F.

Get in

Jos is served by many bus lines, chiefly Cross Country that runs air-conditioned mini-van services from Lagos and Abuja. The state government-owned Plateau Line runs station wagon services, but these are mostly uncomfortably crowded trips. Many other state governments operate transport services with termini in various Jos motor-parks from surrounding state capitals: Gombe, Lafia, Kaduna, Damaturu and even Yola. Other mini-bus or car services are private arrangements where you sit and wait for the vehicle to fill up, but are best avoided because the drivers tend to have dubious driving skills. You can also get into Jos by having a private driver in a private vehicle; because of terrorist acts, you may pass through a lot of security check points.

By train The old locomotive trains famed in Cyprian Ekwensi's The Passport of Mallam Ilia no longer bring the people in and the tin out.

Get around

There are many taxi cabs, and other transport vehicles all over Jos, such as motorcycles, tricycles and buses. But they have to be shared with other passengers over defined routes. it is also possible to get a private taxi where you share with no one at all, but it is much safer to bear the inconvenience of travelling with others, to avoid getting robbed. Some mini-bus routes are also defined but these are difficult to understand. The taxis and buses almost always tend to be rickety. Motorcycle taxis, commonly known as 'okada' are also a choice but these can be very dangerous as the road network is filled with a lot of potholes and there is a general lack of safe practices. The "okada" rides also tend to be more expensive than the 'Tricycle' or bus rides but are very flexible.

Various roads lead to Lamingo depending on where one is coming from. From the University of Jos (main campus/permanent site), you could get a small bus, a motor cycle or a tricycle to Lamingo. Generally speaking, you can get to Lamingo from any destination within Jos with an average of about ₦10,000. You will always find a bus, a tricycle or a bike.

See

There are many parks you can see in Jos, examples are the wildlife park, and the national museum.

The old tin mines are all on the outskirts of Jos. They have developed into lakes which might have some environmental concerns. The areas are generally safe but it is best to go with a guide. There are many waterfalls on the outskirts of Jos.

Jos National Museum. It was recognized as one of the best in the country. It has been left to fall to ruin, however. The Pottery Hall is also a part of the museum that has an exceptional collection of finely crafted pottery from all over Nigeria and boasts some fine specimens of Nok terracotta heads and artifacts dating from 500 BCE to 200 CE. It incorporates the Museum of Traditional Nigerian Architecture with life-size replicas of a variety of buildings, from the walls of Kano and the Mosque at Zaria to a Tiv village. Articles of interest from colonial times relating to the railway and tin mining can also be found on display. The Jos Museum is also located beside the zoo.

Gbong Gwom Jos' palace. Palace of the paramount ruler of Jos.

Mees Palace. Mees palace is multipurpose centre; it has a children's park, eatery, event centre and a cinema. A nice place to hang out with the family.

Jos Museum and Zoo. The museum houses artefacts and old cars. Lots of historical items from all over the country. A nice place to savour the arts, crafts and history. There are shops selling traditional art.

The National Identity Management Commission office: A beautiful building on the Lamingo road.

Lamingo Dam. According to locals, the dam is a result of mining activities in the area. Jos is known for its mineral resources, especially tin. Local miners set out to construct wells deep into the ground in search of this mineral and since it is not coordinated, many of the dug wells meet at various places killing some of the miners. Underground water was also let out in the process. A former governor modified the outlets and created the Lamingo dam. It is a place to see as well.

Do

Shere hills. A prominent site for tourist attraction is the Shere Hills. The hills occupy the size of an average community. It spreads from somewhere in Lamingo into the Angwan Rukuba area of Jos, a bus journey of about 30 minutes. It will interest you to know that some these hills are in the form of caves. Walking up into the "community" of the hills from the lamingo entrance, you will notice a change in landscape even before approaching the hills. As you move in, you see a variety of isolated rocks, tall, short and all forms of shapes and sizes. A very beautiful part of the hiking experience would be where you have to climb down into what seems like a lion's den with no good view of the floor. You might change your mind there and give up the hiking experience all together. However, if you are a little bit daring you would climb in and find yourself in the community of other huge rocks. Between rocks, you find low lands with a little bit of greenery where you can take brief rest. There are road paths as well, seems like a government paved road paths on the way out. You can not not experience climbing what looks like a scaffold constructed in a pond somewhere in between these rocks. The experience was terrific. Here is only a faint description. There are tour guides who will take you round without necessarily charging outrageous fees.

Lamingo garden. Lamingo garden is a green area where people relax and flex after day to day activities. Simply put, it is a relaxation center, It has a restaurant where you can eat and drink.

Jos Wildlife Park. Covering roughly of savannah bush, it is a major attraction in the state, attracting tourists from within and outside the country. The park has become a home to various species of wildlife including lions, Rock pythons, marabou storks, baboons, Honey Badgers, camels as well as variant flora.

Lamingo Golf Club. Green and luscious golf course well situated near the dam. It is a serene environment with fresh and clean air.

Learn

Plateau State University (PLASU) offers a variety of courses. The state Polytechnic (PLAPOLY) offer courses with the award of Ordinary and Higher National Diploma. Federal School of Medical Laboratory offers a 3-year course with a certificate of Medical Laboratory Technician.

There is a Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Technology in Vom, also called Vom Vet. which is usually prided as the best veterinary centre in West Africa. The National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom. They deal not only with animal research, but also human. The Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) has its television college also located in Jos where courses in film production and editing are on offer.

Buy

The central business district is around Ahmadu Bello Way in the centre of Jos. You can buy virtually everything possible, ranging from mobile phones, SIM cards, other devices and peripherals, and many other items including food stuffs snacks. There are many banks in the area as well. General merchandise may be purchased around here. For leather products at very good prices, Ferin Gada on Bauchi Road is the best place to go. There is a place popularly referred to as Terminus; it has a diverse market where you can buy food ranging from meat to fish, fresh pepper tomatoes and onions. There are provision stores, shops for electronics and shoes. There is another market called New Market, about 5 minutes ride from terminus where you can get food stuffs too. The market is known for its peculiarity in clothing material.

Depending on what you need to buy, there are small stalls around for the purchase of snacks and drinks. Shops line the roads at intervals too and there are shopping malls. You could also take a paid tricycle to a father away market if you need stock purchase. Markets like Terminus and Faringada are relatively close. Below are some shopping malls you could try.

Kassa Oyamine. This is a shopping mall. They have a Dermahub and an aesthetic clinic. They do makeovers, too. They sell children's and adults' clothes. It's a neat and beautiful place to shop.

Eat

There are many eateries and restaurants that offer a range of cuisines. Local delicacies are also very abundant. Many modern restaurants also serve international dishes.

A1 Food Restaurant. A1 restaurant is a simple building with nice atmosphere. Try their Shawarma. You could dine in, take away or request delivery.

KNL Cakes & Cafe. KNL offers a variety of dishes. It is a cozy place to be. Their service options are delivery, dine in and takeaway.

Sweet November Bistro. They have different continental dishes like spaghetti salad, chicken and cheesesmooth salad, chicken salad, Shawarma fried fish and chips, pizza, coconut rice, jollof rice and fried plantain Omelettes, dessert. They offer dine for customers and their meal are pocket friendly, take away packs here.

Bevelyns Restaurant. Good for watching sport, All you can eat, Quick bite, Healthy options. Their meals include jollof rice, yellow rice, fried coconut rice, boiled yam, egg dish, beans and bread, their meal are pocket friendly. Service options: dine in, take away, delivery.

Tin City Cafe. They have different kind of morning coffee, Jollof Rice,Roast Beef Sandwich with Chips on the Side,Expresso Coffee,fried rice Spaghetti Sauce fruit salad tea,grilled catfish, fish pepper soup, American burger,roasted yam and jam, coleslaw and many other dishes. Service option: Dine in take away delivery.

The STOP Food & Hospitality. They have available cobb salad, jollof rice, fried rice, spaghetti sauce, fruit salad, shawarma, chicken and cheese burger, hot pot. They offer damaged and chicken stew. They do dine in and take away delivery fast food.

Chops & Grill Affairs. It’s a nice restaurant that offers food services in sweet toting spring rolls, shawarma and lots more

Calabar Restaurant & Catering Services. A restaurant that serves varieties of Nigeria local dishes such as melon soup, swallow, abacha, ugba, nkwobi, as well as continental meals and drinks.

Colonels Restaurant and Garden. They provide food services with sweet dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Garden Chinese Restaurant. They serve Chinese cuisines, Continental and Nigerian dishes in an African setting with a nice ambience for cool sitouts.

Grills and Dessert. It’s a fine dining restaurant serving local and intercontinental delicacies with food delivery services available at any location

I-C Gifted Hands Menu. They serve Nigerian & continental dishes such as jollof rice, fried rice with chicken, swallow, shawarma, burger, and bakes.

Jenny Kitchen. A contemporary restaurant serving mouth-watering dishes from Nigerian and continental menu. Alternatively, you can try their burger, shawarma, fried chicken, ice cream.

Drink

There are many other drink zones where local brewed drinks or international drinks are served.

Sleep

Krosha Suites. You could book rooms online. The hotel has a restaurant and a bar. There is internet access and 24-hour electricity supply; that is really huge for a country like Nigeria where electricity is a luxury.

Crest Hotela. It is a 3.5-star hotel that gives free continental breakfast and allows free valet parking. The hotel has an outdoor pool, a restaurant and a bar/lounge. It has free WiFi in public areas. The hotel has a coffee shop/café, dry cleaning centre.