The publisher of Vanguard Newspapers, Mr Sam Amuka, yesterday, called for the promotion of domestic tourism in the country, arguing that more Nigerians are strangers to their country as they most often do not enjoy exploring the beauty of the various tourism attractions in the country.
Mr Amuka spoke at the presentation of the book: ‘Tourism in Nigeria: Incredible Journey into the Heart of Nature,’ written by Fidelia Salami.
According to him, “Nigerians are strangers to their country, we despise our country. I suspect that it may have a political dimension. I think part of this is the disappointment we have in our political leadership and, therefore, we tend to write off just everything that is Nigerian and appreciate other people.
“There are many people in Lagos who do not know how exciting it will be to get a boat and travel from Bar Beach to Badagry. Nigerians make a lot of noise about foreign destinations. I was at Montego Bay, believe it or not, the water is salty and the place was filled with Americans, people from different parts of the world. Many of us don’t even know the Bar Beach.
“I believe when the political environment improves, we will begin to have more respect and regard for our country as there is a lot for us to know and love about Nigeria.”
Tasks media
He then urged the media to “start paying more attention to the potentials of tourism in this country, especially to get our people to understand that there is a lot to appreciate in what God has given us”.
Speaking in the same vein, veteran broadcaster, Patrick Oke said: “There are various interesting attractions in the country. This is an opportunity to say that we Nigerians don’t really know what we have and we don’t know how to appreciate what we have, because we are always looking outside.”
Describing Nigeria as an enigma, Patrick Oke, who chaired the occasion, urged Nigerians not to look for standards in tourist attractions in the country but the uniqueness in our sites.
“I will also say that instead of looking for the kind of standards you have in all the tourist attractions in other places of the world, let us look at what is unique in our own. Let us take the rough with the gold, let us not look for well-developed tourist sites, and let us look at the crudity of each one and the history behind it”.
Patrick Oke said billions of dollars are earned from tourism every year in the world, noting that Nigeria can do the same if tourism is developed in the country which must start with Nigerians appreciating what they have.
Director- General of Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, Mrs. Sally Mbanefo disclosed that the book and event have convinced her that domestic tourism is an avenue to generate wealth for an economy blessed with a rich population.
“From the several festivals/carnivals such as Calabar Carnival, Osun Osogbo, and Mare festivals, I now have enough activities to promote and stimulate the once forgotten domestic tourism.”
Author of the book, Salami, pointed out that she was inspired to write the book in order to establish the dynamics of how Nigeria can grow its tourism, based on what has happened in other countries that have opened up theirs.
The Delta State-born lady studied English at the University of Maiduguri and served in Anambra State. She spoke of her tourism experiences. “I sighted mountains, beheld rivers and encountered forests and deserts that define different landscapes in the country. Since that time, I developed a burning passion for tourism,” she said
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