In August 2004 Rupert’s Honey was subcontracted to supply 2000 Jackson Horizontal Hives, 200 sets of complete protective equipment, Extraction equipment and the training of 30 beekeepers. This was a sponsored programme in conjunction with Sual Prospects Nig (Ltd) with money donated by the Federal State Government of Cross River State Nigeria. The goal being to implement a professional, sustainable and commercial honey operation in the rural areas surrounding Obudu Cattle Ranch.

Obudu Cattle Ranch is situated in the hills and mountains near the city of Obudu and was historically a commercial cattle ranch. Over time developments have changed the area, with a beautiful Protea hotel, re establishment of the Friesland Dairy herd and modern dairy equipment, water theme parks, 4km cable car, governor’s residences, presidential residences amongst some of the dynamic projects being implemented to make this area a fantastic holiday destination of world class.

The Obudy Ranch Resort Honey project is the first commercial development to be reach its goals of supplying a saleable product of the new developments in the area. In August 2004 Crispin traveled up to implement the first series of lectures with the students who had enrolled in the project. Logistically there were a number of difficulties but these were soon overcome and the equipment, training materials and hives were ready to be assembled.

The training was intense. At times very difficult for the students, battling both Crispin’s accent, his enthusiasm for lecturing about bees and the difficult subject matter. A series of exams (often 50 marks over three hours) left many students failing and worried about their continuation of the project. Other students raced through and gained a full and in-depth knowledge on moderns apicultural practices. The practicals were limited by constant fog and mists, but some were conducted with interesting and fun results. After 2 and a half weeks of lectures, practicals and exams the students hit "information overload" and Crispin returned to South Africa so the students could assemble, distribute and implement the project as they had been taught.

By May 2005 the project was well established. Crispin returned to do a refreshers course with the beekeepers on what they had accomplished and achieved. The results have been startling and encouraging. All 2000 hives hung in apiaries, many with bees established, others attracting feral colonies at a very raid rate. The factory newly painted, labels printed, honey harvested and bottled. Everything working like a delightful dream. The honey marketed under the label "Obudu Delight" and the results achieved certainly reflect this name. The quality is well above anything Crispin had seen produced in Nigeria before and the prospects of this development look very encouraging. The State Governor His Excellency Mr. Donald Duke and the commissioner of agriculture Mr. John Odey both expressed delight and pleasure at the results. In all a project that has great potential to uplift the standards of living of rural people and based on the economic principles that ultimately will lead to its sustainability.

It is said that pictures are worth a thousand words. Here a few thousand words for you to read......

A class demosntration on how to hang a JHH. The hive needs to be hung horizontally or else the bees build the combs down across each other.	A traditional clay pot used as a beehive in many parts of Nigeria. Regretably due to the lack of frames all the comb is harvested and the swarm destroyed, the bees sometimes remaining, but most often absconding due to excessive disturbance.	Crispin doing a demonstration on a pot hive to the class as part of practical lessons.	During theory lessons Crispin warned of the potencial of finding snakes and other unwanted inhabitants in hives before bees occupy them. When we went to look at some hives of a local beekeeper we found this snake in a hive when Crispin opened it. Never before have so many people run so fast into the forest!
A group photo with Crispin on the rtight before they went to capture the first swarm of bees as part of a practical demonstration. Note the heavey mist in the air, preventing bees from flying and causeing starvation of swarms if sufficient food is not left in the hive.	Obudu Hills. The project headquaters was situated at the top of this mountain pass, deep in the cloud layer. The weather as a result is pleasantly cool, but restrictive for bees. The first drive up or down this pass is enough to make you close your eyes with fright!	Assembling JHH frames as part of the practical demostration work. In all 50 000 frames were assembled for the hives.	Frames stacked in position to cure so that the glue dries in a straight line. The frames were made of a combination of pine and saligna, manufactured in South Africa and exported. This was done to maintain the high stand set by the JHH.
Beekeepers going into the forests to have a practicle demonstration as part of the training program.	Exam time. The students were required to pass some very difficult and technical exams to continue in the course.	Crispin sitting on the back of a motor bike with Dr. Ahmed on the way to hives as part of the training.	Two beekkepers opening a small devloping colony in a JHH as part of the practicle courses.

Obudu Delight!