by Ayo Akinfe
With Dubai restricting the entry of Nigerians into the country, it is time for our presidential candidates led by Atiku who lives there to introduce an ambitious Nigerian tourist policy.
[1] We must develop the Eyo Festival in Lagos and make it an international tourist magnet. Why should it not compete with London’s Notting Hill Carnival?
[2] Usman Dan Fodio’s tomb must be turned into an African Mecca. Let us try and make it a pilgrimage site for Muslims that competes with the Kaaba
[3] Samuel Ajayi Crowther’s tomb should be an equally important tourist site. It should be a Christian pilgrimage site that competes with Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity
[4] Badagry’s slave castle. It needs its own railway station, hotels, restaurants, cafes, bars, etc
[5] Lokoja’s confluence status should be made as attractive a tourist destination as Canada’s Niagara Falls
[6] Sambisa Forest should be turned into a folklore destination similar to General Custer’s Battle of the Little Big Horn
[7] One of our northern Durbars should emerge as the primary one. Maybe the Kano one given the economic importance of the city
[8] I would build an unprecedented one mile long aquarium across the River Niger between Illah in Delta State and Nzam in Anambra State. Make it the worlds first river crossing aquarium with accompanying shopping centres, hotels, cafes and bars
[9] Obudu Cattle Ranch is already doing its bit but we need to build on this. Why not build a world class casino there and try and make it Africa’s Las Vegas
[10] For me, Taraba is Nigeria’s most beautiful state. Its Gashaka Wildlife Park is the closest thing we have to the Serengeti. We should cordon off about half of the state and turn it into a haven for lions, elephants, giraffes, hyenas, leopards, impala, zebra, buffalo, warthogs, etc. If properly run, Taraba State alone should generate more revenue for Nigeria than crude oil
