Is there any reason why the Nigerian Governors Forum cannot mandate each of its members to open a sanctuary of one animal in a bid to develop a local tourist industry

Ayo Akinfe

[1] Eagles - Kwara

[2] Leopards - Osun

[3] Giraffes - Katsina

[4] Gorillas - Cross River

[5] Hippopotamus - Rivers

[6] Lions - Taraba

[7] Hyenas - Adamawa

[8] Zebras - Borno

[9] Elephants - Yobe

[10] Camels - Sokoto

It is easier to provide security within a small enclave within one state. If you have two mechanised divisions of the Nigerian Army in one state, I fail to see how bandits, kidnappers, terrorist and armed robbers will operate there, especially if one is on the location of the sanctuary itself.

However you cut it, Nigeria needs to come up with innovative ways to generate foreign exchange because crude oil simply cannot be relied upon. Or are we planning on approaching the World Bank and IMF for bridging loans to fund our budgets every year?

What I have in mind is governors floating local animal sanctuary companies with their states having say a 30% stake in these ventures. Ringfence the facilities, provide them with security, power, pipe borne water, transportation links to the outside world, Broadband, etc and watch them blossom.

If they create 2,000 jobs each, that is 2,000 youths off the street. As things stand, I am yet to see any Nigerian Governors Forum roadmap!