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| One of the National Monuments |
Recently the Plateau State Government under the leadership of Barr Caleb Mutfwang, the Governor unveiled what most development practitioners, economic analysts and public commentators in the state consider a socio-economic transformation agenda.
The event, which held in Jos, the Plateau state capital, Monday, October 14, 2024, attracted lovers and operators in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Sub-sector of the economy. Public and private sector actors, including major players in the cultural and creative industry economy from within and outside the state graced the occasion.
The action-packed event revealed passion, commitment and strong will on the part of the Governor and the state to do things differently as against the known shenanigan of governments, where desire without the will to execute is heavily funded, packaged and displayed publicly. Assembled and present at the unveiling ceremony were existing, visible and functionally active, competent, responsive and committed private sector players, especially, MSMEs. Political gladiators, God fathers and job men, the pusillanimous contractors and the likes were hardly seen, if really they were there.
Before the unveiling day, meetings were called and held; roles and expectations of the government from the private sector operators were presented to the practitioners in a meeting called for that purpose. Similarly, the role of the government in the entire project, the goal, expected outcome and impact and the reason for the unveiling, the venue, time and the invited guests from within and outside the state were also clearly enunciated in the meeting, same with how the unveiling will be conducted.
The above position is not to say there were no downsides to the preparations and the unveiling event proper; instead it is to note that there was a shift from the norm, and to also let those in authority to know that when they do well they will be appreciated, applauded and celebrated. The opposite will apply whenever they derail.
It is important to draw attention interestingly to the fact that the planned Jos Christmas Festival “The Beautiful Experience” requires support, partnerships and collaborations, in and outside the state to succeed. The approach of the government so far gives hope. The expectation moving forward is that the process will not be derailed midway.
“The Beautiful Experience” will succeed if it is understood and embraced for what it truly is: an opportunity, a potential market for collaborations, partnerships, promotions and sponsorships, a platform for massive job creation, wealth generation activities and investment opportunity, with diverse multiplier effects for the people and the state.
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| Another of the dilapidated National Monuments |
Tourism for obvious reasons offers huge market opportunities for sustainable growth and development in Plateau state, so also is the Cultural and Creative Industry. Other industries will benefit from the planned Jos Christmas Festival, however, tourism is the most favoured. Governor Mutfwang in his public address spoke excitingly about beautifying the environment and promised to make it captivatingly attractive.
There lies a major concern, a source of worry if you like. The worry stems from the presence of some dilapidated National Monuments in the city of Jos, Plateau State. A visit to the National Museum Jos premises, particularly the Monument of Traditional Nigerian Architecture (MOTNA): one and only such site in Nigeria, reveals a sordid state of affairs, an eye sour. When the military government led by General Yakubu Gowon in the 1970s conceived the idea of MOTNA and portions of land at the National Museum Jos were carved out and dedicated primarily for replicating some of the Traditional Nigerian Architectures, he never would have envisaged that a day will come when visitors to the site are faced with dilapidated structures as national monuments.
Among the major expected benefits of the planned Festival in December is increased human traffic into Jos, that is, increased tourism and tourism related business activities that include frequent visits to the various heritage sites that Plateau state is reputed for, among which is the MOTNA. The impact, positively of MOTNA to research, education, history and development, in and outside the state and country can never be overemphasised. The tourist site has attracted over the years, local and international researchers, educationists, tourists and fun seekers. Presently some of the Monuments are damaged, ignored and abandoned.
The negative effects of the ugly state of MOTNA to the objective of setting up the site are huge. Similarly, the damaging impact that the dilapidated structures will have on the beautiful and captivating image and reputation that Governor Mutfwang is striving hard to create of Plateau state where the monuments are located is better imagined.
In view of the above, the attention of the headquarters of the National Commission for Museums and Monument (NCMM) Abuja is drawn on the need to embark on repair works of the dilapidated national monuments, to flow in the same spirit with the Plateau state government by giving the National Museum Jos a facelift.
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| Another of the Monuments needing attention |
The need for the NCMM to do the above and for the Plateau state government led by Governor Mutfwang to execute with precision and collaborative participation of the relevant state and non-state actors as stakeholders to the planned festival can never be over emphasised. It will contribute significantly to opening the Plateau state economic space, expand and throw up multiple job creation, wealth generation and investment opportunities necessary to engage the huge number of unemployed people especially, youths. Massive employment will culminate into poverty reduction and decreased hunger. It will lead to improved health and standard of living, reduction in criminality and increased Peace in the state and nation generally.
Nnabugwu Chizoba
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