Adamawa to make tourism it’s main economic driver soon – Babadoke
Mohammed Ismail
The Adamawa State Government has intensified efforts to transform the state into a major tourism destination and make culture and tourism one of the main pillars of its economy.
The State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Aloysius Babadoke, disclosed this while speaking with newsmen during activities marking the World Tourism Day celebration in Adamawa on Thursday.
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Babadoke said the government was deliberately investing in the state’s rich cultural heritage and tourism assets as part of a broader strategy to create economic opportunities, particularly for young people, while showcasing Adamawa’s cultural diversity to the world.
According to him, the state has more than 38 identified cultural heritage sites which, if properly developed and promoted, could attract tourists, generate revenue and create employment opportunities for residents.
He said the government had begun a gradual process of opening up the sites to both domestic and international tourists, stressing that the objective was to reposition Adamawa as a destination capable of competing favourably with other tourism centres.
“The people we can see here are mostly youths, and this shows that our young people are interested in our culture and tourism. The state government is investing in projects that will provide opportunities for them,” Babadoke said.
He cited the ongoing development of the state amusement park, which he said was nearing completion, as part of the government’s efforts to create recreational facilities and expand the state’s tourism infrastructure.
The commissioner said the government had also sustained the celebration of the state’s cultural festival as a platform for preserving the diverse traditions of its people and promoting them to visitors from within and outside Nigeria.
He described the colourful cultural displays witnessed during the celebration as evidence of Adamawa’s enormous tourism potential, noting that traditional institutions, including emirates and chiefdoms, had continued to play an important role in preserving the state’s cultural heritage.
Babadoke listed some of the state’s notable tourism attractions, including the Elephant House and Kiri Dam, among other cultural and natural sites with potential for tourism development.
He said the government’s investments in culture and tourism were already beginning to yield positive results, pointing to what he described as sustained growth in revenue generated by the sector over the past three years.
“This is our fourth time celebrating the cultural day, and we will continue to celebrate it in the next five to ten years because we want our people, especially the younger generation, to understand and appreciate our culture,” he said.
The commissioner commended Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri for sustaining the celebration and supporting investments in culture and tourism, saying the government’s commitment had provided fresh impetus for the development of the sector.
He also appreciated the state’s traditional rulers and cultural custodians for their support in preserving Adamawa’s heritage.
Babadoke said the government would continue to invest in tourism infrastructure, cultural promotion and the development of heritage sites as part of efforts to diversify the state’s economy.
He maintained that with its rich cultural diversity, historical landmarks and natural attractions, Adamawa had the potential to turn tourism into a major source of employment, revenue and economic growth.
The commissioner said the ultimate goal is to expose Adamawa’s cultural heritage to the wider world and position the state as a recognised tourism destination in Nigeria and beyond.
