The Chairman, Groovy December Committee of the Emerging Abuja Programme, a KHL powered programme, Imoh Ebang, yesterday described Nigeria’s tourism sector as one of the least developed.
He made this known while addressing the media on its forthcoming project Groovy December, pointing out that “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!”
He lauded Mr. President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, whose renewal processes is being judiciously implemented in FCT by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike.
According to him: “Tourism has the potential to mop up unemployment in Nigeria in less than a decade, only if we collectively decide to encourage it. How can this be achieved?
“By promoting and strengthening cultural exchange and understanding: 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.
“By cooperating to enhance security of our communities: Government needs all of us to achieve a safe country, using the campaign slogan, “if you see something, say something”
“Join in combating the negative media perception being propagated by Foreign media: Nigerians inadvertently provide the information that fuels the negative hype being utilized by foreign media to denigrate our country. Let us rather promote the progress we record everyday rather than demarketing us.
“A call for massive investments in the tourism sector: Most of our tourism destinations are dormant and underdeveloped, we call on the Private sector operators, Nigerians In Diaspora and the government to consider investing heavily in all tourism destinations and its enablers to attract tourists from across the world.
“On our little secret, 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 organization, Emerging Abuja Program of KHL. GROOVY DECEMBER, is a premier festival showcasing over 35+ events which its maiden edition expected to debut this year.
Ebang explained that the Moshood Abiola Stadium will host over 70% 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.
The target audience, he said include; Nigerians across all states, families, young professionals, corporates, culture enthusiasts, foodies, adventure seekers.
“Nigerians & Africans living abroad (Europe, North America) returning for holidays, international tourists seeking authentic African experiences.
“West African neighbors (Ghana, Senegal, Benin etc.). Festival Dates: December 15th – 31st December, 2025.”
He called on MDAs of Federal and State Governments, Local government Areas; 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. 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.”
