Culture
From Forest to Global Stage: Arinta Waterfalls Finally Applies for International Visa
By Afesojaye Adeyinka
History was made on Sunday, September 27, 2026, as Ekiti’s most famous introvert – Arinta Waterfalls, the seven-throated wonder that has been falling since before falling was fashionable – officially declared it is tired of falling only for the forest.
At a colourful World Tourism Day ceremony held right inside the forest, where network is scarce but oxygen is plenty, three musketeers took the stage:
His Royal Majesty, Oba Ezekiel Babatola Oladele, JP, the Olupole of Ipole-Iloro; Hon. Dr. Leye Adeniji, Chairman of Ekameta LCDA; and Barr. Wale Ojo-Lanre, DG, Ekiti State Bureau of Tourism Development.
Their message was unanimous: Enough is enough.
For centuries, Arinta has been doing free show – seven waterfalls, no ticket, no Instagram filter, no VIP lounge. Tourists come, shout “Wow!”, slip small, and go home. Kabiyesi said no more.
“Arinta has been here since our forefathers. The water never dries,” Oba Oladele declared, looking pointedly at investors. “NEPA may take light, but Arinta has never taken break. We cannot develop it alone. Our sons and daughters at home and in diaspora, come and build something. We have land. We have forest. We have youth that can guide you even with eyes closed.”
Hon. Dr. Adeniji reminded everyone that Ekameta – Erijiyan, Ikogosi and Ipole-Iloro – is not just a local government, it is a whole tourism corridor. In fact, he said, if you add all the attractions together, a visitor may need to spend three days in Ekiti before finding his way out.
Representing Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, Barr. Ojo-Lanre went full 21st century. According to him, Arinta will no longer be just water falling. It will become a “tourism laboratory.”
In that laboratory, AI will market the falls, drones will snap the seven throats, and digital technology will ensure that someone in Canada can hear Arinta thunder without leaving his winter jacket.
“We have unlocked Arinta,” he announced. “And we have discovered the return on investment is very high. Arinta is only 6km from Ikogosi Warm Springs. Imagine – you warm yourself at Ikogosi in the morning, you cool yourself at Arinta in the afternoon. Hot and cold therapy, 100% organic, no hospital bill.”
Chairman of NUJ, Comrade Kayode Babatuyi, who chaired the occasion, promised that journalists will continue to promote Ekiti until Google itself starts suggesting “Arinta” when you type “Niagara.”
Meanwhile, Technical Adviser on Youth Inclusion, Mr. Ayo Ojo, watched as Ipole youths proved inclusion is not just grammar – they were the tour guides, the porters, the historians, and the security.
And the women? They did what Ekiti women do best when big English has finished: they brought pounded yam with enough lumps to hold the forest together.
After centuries of faithful service, Arinta Waterfalls has finally resigned from being a “hidden gem” and applied for promotion to “World-Class Destination.” Requirements: eco-lodges, viewing decks, good road, investors with long patience and longer pockets.
Community is ready.
Forest is ready.
Seven waterfalls are already working overtime without salary.
What is left? An investor who will not just take pictures and post “Nature is healing” – but will build something that lets nature heal our economy too.
