Some questions are very easy to answer –for instance, is Plateau state truly the “Home of Peace and Tourism”? Any Nigerian asked this question should find it incredibly easy to provide a response, perhaps even primary school pupils.

Plateau state is definitely not the “Home of Peace” –this has become very clear over the last decade because of the violence and skirmishes, which have affected the state. However, is it still the “Home of Tourism”? ViewPointNigeria investigates:

Some questions are very easy to answer –for instance, is Plateau state truly the “Home of Peace and Tourism”? Any Nigerian asked this question should find it incredibly easy to provide a response, perhaps even primary school pupils.

Plateau state is definitely not the “Home of Peace” –this has become very clear over the last decade because of the violence and skirmishes. However, is it still the “Home of Tourism”? ViewPointNigeria investigates:

When the motto “Home of Peace and Tourism” was coined for Plateau state in the late 1990s, the state distinctively exhibited these two attributes (i.e., Peace & Tourism endowments), which no other state could match. For instance, in respect of “peace”, there was no other state in the federation where people of different cultures, tribes and religions were cohabiting peacefully in the same area without conflict. Ethnic groups like the Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, Urhobo, Ijaw, Tiv, Idoma etc all enjoyed the hospitality and warmth of Plateau natives without any grouse. So in that respect the motto, “Home of Peace” was very apt and ideal.

And in terms of tourism, Plateau state stood as the number-one choice for holidaymakers who wanted a get away from their states to experience nature at its finest. Europeans, Americans, couples on honeymoon and local tourist all flocked into Plateau to encounter the near heavenly experience. Tourists attractions such as the Jos Wildlife Park, the National Museum, Jos Zoo, Assop Falls, Kurra Falls, Wase Rock, Kerrang Highlands, Shere Hills, Riyom Rock, Pandang Game Reserve and the Kahwang Rock Formation all provided a lot for keen tourists and holidaymakers to see. Until recently, when these attractions have experienced non-patronage, neglect and total decay. Allowing a relatively unknown state –Cross Rivers state, to overtake Plateau as the ultimate tourist destination in Nigeria.

We then ask the logical question: how is it that Cross Rivers state –a state with less than 50% of the tourist endowment of Plateau state now the preferred destination for tourists? It is puzzling because, not only is Cross River state not blessed with the types of vast tourism potentials of Plateau –it also does not have a weather near as clement as that Plateau, nor does it have the serenity or hospitality comparable to that of Plateau people. How then has this lowly and naturally deficient state overtaken Plateau in the Tourism stakes?

There is no doubt that the absence of peace on the Plateau has significantly contributed to this, however is this reason enough? We doubt it. Beneath the crisis situation in Plateau (which is always used as an excuse by Government and everyone), there is a lack of vision and foresight, which has blighted this industry. We say this, because even if tourists from outside do not come to visit our sights, how many times have we as Plateau people patronised such?

The change in situation between Plateau and Cross Rivers is akin to the biblical story of Esau and Jacob –Esau stupidly sold his birth right to Jacob for a pot of porridge and forever remained subservient to his younger brother. In the same vein, Plateau state took for granted its God given tourism potential and Cross River state seized it, investing heavily in the industry. Building world class Ranches and resorts on the plains of Obudu, Agbokin and Afi –providing landmark features such as the Tinapa Business park, the Calabar Marina, Calabar Residency Museum and Slave Park etc. And therefore this heavy investment (which is now paying off) is putting the state (Cross Rivers) on its path to financial independence from Federal government subvention. Contrast that to the situation of Plateau –a state wholly dependent on Government subvention, where civil servant salaries amount to approximately N1.7 billion monthly and its internally generated revenue is to the order of N600 million -and therefore rightly tagged, “Plateau the civil service state”, how pathetic and awful.

It is estimated that the tourism industry brings in billions of Naira into the Cross River state economy –this revenue streams from independent tourists, honeymooners, government functions and foreigners etc. Even the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria along with his aides routinely go to cross rivers state for business summits, functions and holidays. This immense patronage must amount to significant benefits to the state, even far beyond the obvious financial benefits.

Certainly, from our point of view, it appears as though; an industry sector, which was once being led by Plateau, has now been taken over by Cross Rivers state. Go to any of the Plateau tourism sights I mentioned earlier and I guarantee that you’d weep. Jos Zoo and Wildlife Park are particularly pathetic –most of the animals (especially mammals) have died because of animal cruelty, non-feeding or lack of veterinary care. The only animals left (probably 5% or what was before), are those animals, which can thrive with very little care (e.g., snakes and reptiles). It begs the question, how can a state so rich and endowed allow such potential to rot away. Yes, the crisis situation has dealt a huge blow to the industry, but have we really done all that we can to revive and rejuvenate this industry?

The gains scored by Cross Rivers state can almost wholly be attributed to the visionary leadership and Governance of Donald Duke, the former Governor of the state. His achievements for the state are forever etched in stone and will be remembered for generations to come. Duke understood that for total financial independence to be achieved, Cross Rivers state had to lead Nigeria in one key area. He undertook his research and realised that the state’s tourism endowment could be significantly harnessed to develop a sustainable industry sector for which Cross Rivers could lead. That simple vision of exploiting an already available potential is what has given Cross Rivers state its financial independence (of course along with huge oil derivations).

The present Jang administration has (and continue to) scored key gains in the area of infrastructural development, however we ask the question: how about the area of Tourism? Given the pedigree, vision and leadership style of Governor Jonah Jang, there is no doubt that the same achievements in infrastructure can be replicated in the area of tourism, but have the people around the Governor, e.g., the Commissioner for Tourism & Culture, Mr. Dongsar L Dongtoe and his permanent secretary put forward clear ways in which to exploit this area?

The purpose of this article is not to question the competence of the Commissioner or his Ministry, because the rot and decay of the Tourism sector, predates this administration –but we as concerned citizens are perpetually worried about the performance of our dear state and wish to instigate discussion on how the state can do better. So the key questions, which are pertinent to all Plateau people and the Tourism and culture ministry in particular, is:

How can Plateau state revive this ailing industry? And lead again in this God endowed area?

© ViewPointNigeria (VPN) – For further comments and discussion go to our facebook group at “Movement for the Protection of Plateau Heritage (MOPPLAH)

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Now that Plateau state is no more the Home of Peace and Tourism