The paramount ruler of Butura, Saf Butura, Engr. John Mallo Makwal, sought collaboration with the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) on the packaging and promotion of NAHWAI Festival for national and international acceptance.

The D-G, NTDC, Mr. Folorunsho Coker (Right); His Royal Highness Saf Butura, Engineer John Mallo Makwal (2nd Right) with others during a courtesy visit to the Director General by His Royal Highness Saf Butura

Makwal said this while he led the Traditional Council from the Ron-Kulere Chiefdom in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State on a courtesy call on the Director-General of the NTDC in on Thursday.

Disclosing the commitment of the council to grow tourism in the community, Makwal said: “Apart from the cultural festival, we are ambitious to grow other aspect of tourism infrastructure like accommodation and entertainment, but they are expensive. In this regard, in my capacity as the traditional ruler and my council, we humbly request the Director-General to take over one of our monuments – the TASH bridge.”

The bridge, according to the traditional ruler, is a colonial cultural heritage, which is even being considered for listing as one of the UNESCO heritage sites.

NTDC DG, Mr. Folorunsho Coker, in his response disclosed his intention to hold a central region festival that will attract the tourists to the North Central of the country.

The NTDC boss in his speech described Plateau State as tourism-friendly, saying the state is blessed with good tourism assets, which abounds in natural scenic vistas, beautiful sceneries, rich in cultural, historical and with an excellent weather condition.

While enjoining the people of Plateau to give tourism a voice, Coker emphasized that tourism must be treated as serious business if it would thrive in the country, adding that “Tourism is the business of transportation, hospitality and entertainment that consume the products of arts and culture.

Coker, who also made case for good titles for the traditional destinations, noted that the titles could be used to raise funds for the development of the sites, while suggesting development of clusters around the sites to stimulate productivity and commerce, which according to him would propel revenue generation.

The NTDC boss however, said insecurity is not peculiar to Nigeria, “hence it should not deter us from promoting tourism, and wooing foreign tourists to the country.”

Pledging that he would do all within his capacity to re-direct the sector and bring our hidden juice that will not only benefit the country, but also positively impact the lives of citizens, the DG said that his already launched five-letter word action plan – CHIEF – would help him realise his goal.

The D-G, NTDC, Mr. Folorunsho Coker (6th Left); His Royal Highness Saf Butura, Engineer John Mallo Makwal (7th Left) with other members of his entourage during a courtesy visit

The new Nigerian Tourism Road Map is a five-point action plan – acronymic CHIEF (Corporate Governance & Regulations, Human Capital Development, Infrastructural Development, Events and Marketing, and Finance & Investment), which is designed to promote and develop the tourism industry by promoting domestic tourism and encouraging ease of doing business in Nigeria.

The D-G, NTDC, Mr. Folorunsho Coker (12th Left); His Royal Highness Saf Butura, Engineer John Mallo Makwal (13th Left) with officials of NTDC and Butura Nation during a courtesy visit