Despite the rumble in the National Assembly over Dino Melaye and Oluremi Tinubu’s needless face-off, the abortive coup in Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s Turkey, the controversial hiring of Frenchman, Paul Le Guen, as Super Eagles’ coach or technical adviser, Melania Trump’s speech plagiarism allegation and even the nation’s tottering economy that is fast facing recession, according to IMF, I want to dwell on how to grow the nation’s economy by tapping its tourism potentials beginning with the oil-rich Rivers State.
It is absurd that the current National Assembly is fast turning to a circus show where all manner of dramas play out so often. After the alleged sex scandal of some members of the Lower House in the United States, some senators are entertaining Nigerians with another vulgar drama with varying themes of romance, rape, pregnancy, thugs, mad dog, and war. We have had enough of these ugly side shows. Nigerians expect the lawmakers to dwell on serious issues affecting the country than sex and rape.
It is certain that outside oil and agriculture, tourism is the next income earner and treasure that is under-utilized in the country. All the state governors should tap it to its own economic advantage and growth. They should stop this culture of waiting for baked bread in Abuja every month and start baking their own sweet and delicious loaves of bread. The governors should think of making their states self-sustaining.
No doubt, every state in Nigeria is endowed with natural resources and tourism sites that can generate employment and growth in economy if well tapped by the various states’ governors. Unfortunately, the attention of many state actors is towards what will drop in from Abuja after a sharing of revenue monthly meeting. But the sharp drop in oil revenue has made it imperative for governors to think outside the box on how to increase their internally generated revenue through growing the economy of their states. That is why Governor Wike’s move in this area is interesting and highly commendable.
Rivers State capital, Port Harcourt popularly known as the Garden City, is one of the popular tourist destinations in the country in view of its greenery and aquatic splendour. It compares with Lagos and Abuja in this regard. But with the advent of kidnapping and cultic activities arising from militant agitations in the Niger Delta region and the recent bad politics, the once tourist haven was threatened by fears of kidnapping and cultism. It had affected the night life in the city and tourism generally.
But the good news now is that Governor Nyesom Wike since his assumption of office on May 29, 2015, has vowed to return the state to its premium position as destination of first choice as far as tourism is concerned. He is doing everything to woo investors to the state. He has embarked on measures to put at bay kidnapping, cultism and other crimes in the state. The bolts and nuts of the anti-kidnapping and anti-cultism laws have been tightened in such a way that those caught will be severely dealt with. Henceforth, those involved in such criminality, will lose their money and investments, including houses built with such crime proceeds.
The governor has rehabilitated many roads in the city and other towns in the state. He has restored street lights that had proved unworkable before and revamped many water supply schemes in the state to give Rivers State’s inhabitants potable water. He has launched his development in virtually all sectors.
No doubt, his efforts have paid-off. The state is peaceful. Moreover, the people are hospitable. That can also explain why Rivers State is now a host to many national and international conferences and events. Early next month, the state will also host the 12th edition of the All Nigeria Editors’ Conference (ANEC) on the theme: “Economic Diversification: Agriculture as Option for a Prosperous Nigeria.”
Wike will also use the forum to showcase the investment potential in the state, including tourism. The state can boast of many hotels of international standard.
Some of the tourist sites in the state are Port Harcourt Tourist Beach, Isaac Boro Garden Park, Isaka Holiday Resort, Rivers State Museum, Zoological Garden, Statue of King Jaja of Opobo, Bonny Island, Nature Park Finima, Finima Beach and Upper Orashi Forest Reserve. The governor should exploit these tourist sites and others to attract more tourists and investors to the state.
Taking our eyes away from oil is the best way to grow the economy. Diversification is the magic word to lift the economy from impending recession. And tourism is one area that we have refused to tap fully to grow the economy. Available data show that earnings from international tourism will increase from $477 billion in 2000 to $2.0 trillion in 2020. If Nigeria should tap into the huge revenue, it must partake in global tourism industry by growing its own potentials in this vital sector.
Ode to Peter Obi @ 55
The former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi turned 55 on Tuesday. I join his numerous friends and associates in congratulating him on this great milestone of adding another year to his age. I pray to Almighty God to continue to bless him and give him many more fruitful years in the service of God and humanity. Peter Obi is highly regarded for enthroning civility, accountability and frugality in government.
As a governor, he was humble, unassuming and humane. The prestige of office did not make him not to know his friends. In and out of office, Obi still values friendship. Since leaving office, he has concentrated his energy on community service, especially education cause. He has been helping out in providing schools with one infrastructural need or the other at no cost at all.
He does not restrict this kind gesture to his home state alone. He has been moving all over the country and doing what, he says, gives him joy. Obi does not talk much but if you listen to him, there are certain good things that you can take away from this witty, moral and political philosopher of our time.
I recommend that those in political leadership, especially at gubernatorial level, should go to Obi and learn some useful lessons in governance, human and material management. Happy Birthday Your Excellency!