Former Nasarawa State Commissioner for Information, Culture, and Tourism, Comrade Dogo Shammah, has called on the Nasarawa State Government and other North Central states to invest in developing their tourism and cultural sectors.
Speaking with journalists in Lafia on Monday, the veteran journalist and former Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) emphasized that enhanced tourism and cultural preservation could significantly boost revenue generation while promoting 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,” Shammah stated.
He highlighted Nasarawa’s wealth of cultural festivals and tourism destinations with national and international appeal, including 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.
“These are valuable assets that, if properly developed, can attract investment and boost the state’s internally generated revenue,” he noted, appealing to Governor Abdullahi Sule to prioritize their development.
Shammah urged state and local governments, along with communities, to partner with media organizations to effectively showcase their cultural heritage and tourism potential.
The former commissioner commended Governor Sule for his efforts to position Nasarawa as a business hub in the North Central region, specifically referencing the hosting of investors interested in generating hydropower at the Farin Ruwa Dam in Wamba LGA. According to Shammah, this project would transform Wamba and energize development across the state.
While expressing satisfaction with the current administration’s leadership and focus on impactful projects, Shammah called for unity and collective support for Governor Sule’s administration in its pursuit of sustainable development, peace, and progress for Nasarawa State.
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