The maiden edition of a tourism promoting programme tagged Abuja Groovy December (AGD), aimed at making Nigeria’s capital city the tourism hub of the Nation, is scheduled to take place in December in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The disclosure was made at a world press conference organised by the emerging Abuja programme, powered by KHL, on the AGD project on 12th August in Abuja.
Presenting the programme to the world in a speech signed by Imoh Ebang, Chairman, Groovy December Committee, the organisers extended invitation to Abujans and Nigerians in general, irrespective of where they live, to be partakers of the Nigerian tourism development agenda.
“Nigeria is richly endowed, Nigerians are also richly endowed by God Almighty. What then is holding us from tapping into the abundant opportunities by upscaling our potentials and converting them into wealth for our people?
“One of the least developed sectors in Nigeria is the Tourism Sector yet we contribute a whole lot to the development of tourism in other climes. It is time for the World to come to us, enough of going to the world!
“Thank God for Mr President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, whose renewal processes is being judiciously implemented in FCT by the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, His Excellency, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike; we salute you,” they said.
According to them, tourism has the potential to mop up unemployment in Nigeria in less than a decade, but only if there is a collective decision backed by will to encourage it.
In their own blueprint, they said harnessing the tourism potentials is achievable through promoting and strengthening cultural exchange and understanding, adding, “To get this done, every Nigerian MUST take up the toga of being a Nigerian tourism ambassador wherever we find ourselves. We must develop a cultural identity with which we can promote our culture to others thus attracting them to visit.”
Other steps to be taken includes cooperating to enhance security of communities; joining hands in combating the negative perception being propagated by Foreign media by inadvertently providing the information that fuels the negative hype being utilised by foreign media to denigrate and demarket the country instead of promoting it; and massive investments in the tourism sector towards giving a facelift to the massively dormant and underdeveloped tourism destinations that abound across the nation, especially through public and private sectors participation.
Sharing their vision, they said, “We have a vision, primarily dedicated to contributing our quota in positioning Abuja as a tourism hub of the nation. We have decided to employ some of the major enablers of tourism; which are culture, entertainment, comedy, community involvement, competitions, fairs, motorsports, renewed social ethos, and a new way of life as platforms to attract visitors to the nation’s Capital, Abuja, throughout the December periods beginning from 2025 with Abuja Groovy December, powered by a premier destination experience-curating organisation, Emerging Abuja Programme of KHL.”
According to them, Abuja Groovy December, billed to debut from middle to the end of December, is a premier festival showcasing over 35 events with the Moshood Abiola Stadium hosting over 70 per cent of the festival consisting of different events such as jazz festival, afrobeats concerts with top artistes, cultural displays, water event like kayaking, special food & cooking events, car racing events, fashions, football, Chess, Snooker competitions, Fairs-emerging Abuja Market place and several competitions where states and individuals will contest and win cash prizes and trophy accordingly etc.
They said their mission is to curate a spectacular 16-day festival in Abuja that attracts Nigerians nationwide and the global diaspora, showcasing the best of Nigerian and African talent, culture, cuisine, adventure, and luxury, while driving significant economic growth to the FCT and situating Abuja as the definitive December destination.
On the uniqueness of the programme, organisers said, “AGD leverages Abuja’s unique advantages – planned infrastructure, ample space, natural beauty (hills, lakes), cooler climate, central location, and status as the capital – to offer a more sophisticated, diverse, accessible, and less congested experience, blending world-class entertainment with unique “Abuja Exclusive” adventures.
The target audience includes resident Nigerians across all states, families, young professionals, corporates, culture enthusiasts, foodies, adventure seekers; West African neighbours; and diaspora: Nigerians and Africans living abroad (Europe, North America) returning for holidays, international tourists seeking authentic African experiences.
“We invite ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) of federal, state, and local governments; Nigerians In Diaspora; elected and appointed officials; all citizens of Abuja – ABUJANS as a Community to partner with us on this journey of providing platforms for SMEs and creative talents to develop and create wealth for themselves
“And we recognise the untiring efforts of our Youths towards curating and sustaining talents in Abuja. We invite all such organisations to join us make Abuja big and better, we have space for partnerships and collaborations,” said the organisers.
According to them, the project would contribute significantly to increased internal generated revenue (IGR) for the FCTA to keep on delivering on infrastructure – a critical requirement for tourism.
They appealed to corporate Nigeria to sponsor any of the events designed for the Groovy December, “so that together we can create opportunity for Nigerians to tap into the over 11 trillion expected revenue projection for tourism in Nigeria for 2025”.
They also appealed for the support of various stakeholders – the media, to create the desired awareness; motorists resident or visiting Abuja, to observe traffic rules; security organisations, to ensure safety of lives and property; Abujans, to maintain a clean and people-friendly environment.
They also used their medium to thank their development partners for identifying with this lofty programme, including some state governments; FCT Department of Tourism, National Bureau of Statistics (NBS); Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC); Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA); National Sports Commission (NSC); Sia One Football Academy; Asses Football Academy, Nigerian In Diaspora Organisation, (NIDOE), KAFTAN TV and Security Agencies, while appreciating their brand Ambassador, Coach Samson Siasia.
