TOURISM BUSINESS CALLS FOR ATTENTION
Rising Tourism in Benue
Benue Hill, a tourist attraction site.
Raphael Mbaiorga
So long as human quest for relaxation persists, tourism would thrive. No wonder even some of the world’s leading oil producing nations lately have been voting billions of dollars into the tourism sector for development and expansion projects. For instance, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar in recent years have seen a surge in the tourism sector. How is Benue State faring in this direction?
While some people expressed optimism, others believe more has to be done in repositioning the industry in order to attract more investments from individuals as well as private corporations.
Dr. Abraham Idoko, Head of Theatre Arts Department, Benue State University decries the low ebb of tourism activities in the state “on the scale of 100%, I would rate the state 40%, unlike the past administrations, the present government has not done much in improving the tourism sector. I remember I was sometimes privileged to be on the panel of judges for several events and it was different, maybe now there is apathy by the government.”
He believes it is not too late to arrest the tide “The government and the ministry must be proactive, it is a creative industry and not a bureaucratic system, they need to take action.”
Joseph Ede a major organizer of pageantry is optimistic that “with the resurgence in modern tourism events like the ‘Kyegh Sha Shwa festival,’ ‘Ibyer Man Akpukpa,’ ‘Agila International Cultural Carnival,’ just a little more investment is required to give these events a mass appeal and make them a major revenue source for the state.” He said, already the present generation has exercised the vigor and courage required to surmount the usual challenges that have militated the growth of tourism sector in the state “you can see more young people resulting to crowd funding and other innovative marketing strategies. I strongly believe that if sustained, the energy is enough to propel us into the future we all desire.
Another stakeholder Queen Mimidoo Uhundu, Face Of Middle Belt Nigeria and founder of Spring of Hope for the Girl Child Initiative expresses despair why Benue people regardless of their beautiful culture and huge tourism potential still travel out of the state in the festive seasons for hospitality; encouraging capital flight.
In her words “Tourism sector in the state is almost nonexistent, people go away to relax themselves. Worst of it, the publicity for the available occasions remains inadequate; there is every need for improvement.” She urged individuals to take advantage of the huge potentials and invest “People must see the sector as theirs to promote. Personally, I am a product of this sector and I have been contributing my quota especially in the socioeconomic welfare of the girl child in Benue State through my initiative. Even though sponsorship remains a challenge, often I resort to my personal treasury to fund the project the best way possible.
Nevertheless, she believes the tourism sector is too sensitive to be merged with other ministries,“I strongly suggest a creation of Benue State Tourism Board to oversee the development and expansion of our cultural heritage with special fund for tourism activities in Benue State.”
Beyond revenue generation for government, most especially at a time oil prices are crashing world over, tourism is a major source of revenue, a window for exchange, marketing of cultures, promotion of identity and heritage owing that many cultures and traditions are already going extinct or dominated by world super powers.
Recently, through the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage meeting held in the Colombian capital inscribed 15 more elements to the representative list of intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. The nomination of the Kwaghir, a theatrical performance with its roots in the storytelling tradition of the Tiv people of Benue State also called ‘Kwagh-Alom’ was adopted on Thursday December 12/2019 at the 14th session of the committee held in Bogota Colombia.
This feat has been achieved through shared efforts over these years by custodians of culture through the dedication by generations to preserve this art form. However against the laudable development in recent times, investment in Kwaghir Theatre is becoming increasingly low. As a craft that is learnt and transferred through apprenticeship, it is almost going extinct. Hopefully with the boost from the UNESCO, one of world’s most prestigious organizations, it may draw more attention to this legendary art form for possible revival and commercialization.
