The Emerging Abuja Projects is set to attract an estimated N11 trillion in annual revenue through tourism in the Federal Capital Territory.
Chairman of the projects tagged “Groovy December” Imoh Ebong, stated this at an international news conference in Abuja.
Ebong noted that Nigeria is rich in tourism resources but the problem is upscaling the country’s potential and converting them into wealth for citizens.
He said tourism would reduce Nigeria’s unemployment rate, which stood at 31.9 percent according to the National Bureau of Statistics’ Quarter 4 Labour Force Survey 2024.
“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? Ebong stated.
“We call on corporate Nigeria to facilitate any of the events, so together we can create opportunities for Nigerians to tap into the over 11 trillion expected revenue projection for tourism in Nigeria for 2025,” he stated.
According to him, the Emerging Abuja Projects is partnering Federal Government agencies led by the Ministry of FCT, to harness the potential of tourism in Abuja.
“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” he emphasized.
According to him, the body is set to host a 16-day tourism festival in Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT), this December, Tagged, Abuja Groovy December (AGD),
“The event which holds from December 15 to 31st, is dedicated to positioning Abuja as a tourism hub of Nigeria” he stressed.
He said Moshood Abiola Stadium will host over 70 per cent of the festival consisting of different events such as jazz festival, afrobeats concerts featuring 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 trophies”
“Thank God for Mr. President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, whose renewal processes are being judiciously implemented in FCT by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, His Excellency, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, we salute you” the Chairman of the Groovy December noted.
He disclosed that his group employed some of the major enablers of tourism, such as 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.
“Groovy December is a premier festival showcasing over 35+ events, which its maiden edition expected to debut this year,” Ebong explained.
On his part, the Programme Coordinator for Emerging Abuja Projects, Dr. Kenneth Ibe-Kalu who called on Nigerians to believe in the potential of the country said the group is not competing with the annual Calabar festival, which also holds in December, but is rather complementing the fiesta.
Kalu, who frowned that Nigeria ranks 164th among the world’s tourism countries, said the group’s aim is to resuscitate some tourism sites in Abuja.
Earlier, former Nigeria’s Super Eagles head coach and player, Samson Siasia said he is supporting the initiative because it has potential for youth development.
In another development, The Emerging Abuja Projects group also confer an honour of Patron to Retired Air Vice Marshal Saliu Atawodi in recognition of his outstanding support to the growth of tourism, investment, talent promotion and national development.
In his acceptance speech, Retired Air Vice Marshal Saliu Atawodi who commended the lofty ideas promised to source for partnership for the group to sustain and boost the projects.
