By Abel Leonard, Lafia
A former Commissioner for Information, Culture, and Tourism in Nasarawa State and past Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Dogo Shammah, has called on the Nasarawa State Government and other states in the North Central region to invest in the development of the tourism and cultural sectors.
Shammah, a veteran journalist, made the appeal in an interview with journalists in Lafia on Monday, emphasizing that boosting tourism and preserving cultural heritage can significantly enhance revenue generation and foster economic and social development.
“To preserve our people’s culture as a pillar of tourism, governments must develop the numerous sites that exist across communities. This will not only promote our heritage but also create economic opportunities for locals,” he said.
He highlighted that Nasarawa State is rich in cultural festivals and tourism destinations that have both national and international recognition.
“We have the famous Farin Ruwa Waterfalls in Wamba LGA, the never-drying spring water in Awe LGA, Feferuwa Lake in Lafia, Captain Melony Hill in Keffi, and Ara Rock in Nasarawa LGA, among others. These are valuable assets that, if properly developed, can attract investment and boost the state’s internally generated revenue,” Shammah noted.
He appealed to Governor Abdullahi Sule to prioritize the development of these sites for the benefit of the people.
Shammah also urged state and local governments, as well as communities, to collaborate with the media to effectively showcase their rich cultural heritage and potential tourism attractions.
“I commend Governor Abdullahi Sule for his relentless efforts in positioning Nasarawa as a business hub in the North Central region. His commitment to hosting investors shows his dedication to accelerating the state’s development,” he added.
Referencing the hosting of investors interested in generating hydropower at the Farin Ruwa Dam in Wamba LGA, Shammah said the project would not only transform Wamba but also energize development across the state.
Expressing satisfaction with the governor’s leadership, he applauded the administration’s focus on projects that directly impact the people.
He however, called for unity and collective support for Governor Sule’s administration in its quest to achieve sustainable development, peace, and progress in Nasarawa State.