Within a period of two weeks, practitioners in the private sector tourism industry in Nigeria saw multiple appointments and invitations from different state governments to serve.

First, ex-ANJET President and New Telegraph newspaper Tourism Editor, Mr. Andrew Iro-Okungbowa was appointed the Chief Press  Secretary (CPS) to the Edo State Governor, Mr. Gaius Obaseki. It is a position that comes with so much responsibility as it involves the interface between the state government and the media, and by extension, the public. He has the responsisdibility of managing the public image and perception of the state government.

 However, the biggest swoop came from the new Akwa Ibom State government. In a single event, the Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Enoh conscripted two of the most high-profile private sector tourism industry professionals into his government. 

The current President of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), Mr. Nkereuwem Onung was appointed Senior Special Adviser (SSA) to the Governor on Tourism while the current FTAN Vice President South West FTAN  and President of Nigerian Association of Tour Operators (NATOP), Mrs. Ime Udo was invited to be part of the Akwa Ibom State government.

There was nothing surprising in the Akwa Ibom State  appointments as  FTAN has traditionally been a pedestal for individuals, especially the president of the federation, to get appointments in governments.

During the tenure of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, Alhaji Munzali Dantata took over the leadership of FTAN from the pioneer president, Mr. Goodie Ibru. As president of FTAN, he was invited by then Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode to head the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR).

Also, High Chief Edem Duke who took over from Munzali  was  later made   the tourism minister under President Goodluck Jonathan.

 We also saw at a time, ex-FTAN Public Relations Officer (FTAN) under Edem Duke, Mr. Wale Ojo-Lanre being invited to serve as CPS to the then Ekiti  State Governor Chief Segun Oni. 

There is a trend here that has seen three of the last five FTAN presidents given political positions while or after their tenure. The exceptions were the current Board of Trustees (BoT) chairman, Chief Samuel Alabi and the late Alhaji Saleh Rabo. Rabo died while still in office.

We also saw, in the past, then FTAN Vice President Northwest, Alhaji Nura Sanni Kangiwa invited to serve in the Kebbi State government. He would later be elevated to the position of the Director General, NIHOTOUR.

However, this trend has been pushed a notch higher by the swoop of both the FTAN president, and one of the vice presidents at a go.

In the light of these appointments, looking at Akwa Ibom State, it is obvious the state is making a statement of intent, that it wants to become the next big thing in Nigeria tourism industry.

The appointment of  Onung and Udo is like a final piece being added to a jigsaw puzzle.  One must not forget also that one of the finest private sector tourism industry practitioners and former FTAN Deputy President, Chief Ini Akpabio heads the state’s tourism board. For a state, head hunting for competence and experience could not come better.

Akwa Ibom State is surreptitiously planning to become the leading destination in Nigeria. Considering that Cross River State, in the last few years, seems to have lost steam, Akwa Ibom might just have the intent to upstage. It is like a ‘tourism coup’ in broad daylight.

In the last few years, starting from the tenure of Obong Victor Attah as governor, the state embarked on the provision of key tourism infrastructural facilities. The international airport concept was initiated. Ibom Golf Resort, construction of good network of roads to link up the state and make all parts of the state accessible.

Current Senate President Godswill Akpabio took over from Attah and did excellently well in infrastructural development including building the international airport.The 16 billion naira, 30, 000 capacity Nest of Champions later renamed Godswill Akpabio International Stadium was also added. Akpabio  built an imposing Four Point by Sheraton in Ikot Ikpene.

Governor Udom Emmanuel added the beautiful and iconic Interdenominational Worship Centre. Udom had described the project as a  building and altar that will perpetually draw God’s blessing to the people of the state.

Udom did not just stopped there, he added an airline, Ibom Air, to the list of tourism assets of the state. He also put in place a knowledge-based management structure that has seen the airline blossom into one of the best airlines in the country.  Akwa Ibom boosts of other rich man-made and natural tourism assets. It has a rich heritage tourism asset.

With all these in place, the state has all it takes to be the leading tourist destination in the country-airline,  good infrastructure like roads, man-made edifices like the Interdenominational Worship Centre and Godswill Akpabio International Stadium. It also boosts of heritage sites like the Ikot Abasi  Bridge of No Return, bunker cells for stubborn slaves, and the old colonial secretariat.

For the natural attractions, there is  Ibeno  sandy beach that stretches over 129 km, and many other places.

While Akwa Ibom can compare with Lagos in terms of tourism assets and the wherewithal to develop them, Akwa Ibom is not encumbered by the huge population and logistic nightmare of Lagos. This means the state has the capacity to develop into the next big thing in Nigerian tourism.

However, despite all the efforts and will in developing critical assets needed for tourism to strive. Akwa Ibom is bereft of tourism identity. Up till now, the state has not yet defined the packaged and defined the tourism product it is marketing.

 For example, Cross River State has a unique tourism identity and a defined tourism product and package.

The tourism image of Akwa Ibom is like pieces broken China ware glowing here and there with no defined form and content.

 The state tried using the annual Christmas carol  to build its tourism brand. It is obvious that it did not fly. The concept was  restrictive. Akwa Ibom must have a product and a sellable tour package that can entice people to the state.

The work of these new appointees, Onung, Udo and others already on ground is cut out. It is time to ‘practice what they  preach’. They have been part of the private sector and with all the frustrations that go with selling tourism in Nigeria due to government’s act and inactions. It is time for them to make the difference. The industry is watching.