Today, our Make Nigeria Better series takes us to Taraba State to examine the economic potential of the territory. This is another untapped goldmine Nigeria is sitting on

[1] I would argue that Taraba is the “most wasted state in Nigeria.” It is by far the most beautiful state in the country, it has an abundance of wildlife and were we a thinking people, we would have developed Taraba State into another Serengeti or Masai Mara

[2] Over the long term, I want to see Gashaka State carved out of Taraba. This new state should be one huge wildlife enclave similar to South Africa’s Kruge National Park, where tourism reigns supreme. Taraba is Nigeria’s third largest state by landmass with a total area of 54,473 km2. I would dedicate about one third of this to Gashaka State

[3] To show we mean business, the penalty for anyone convicted of poaching animals in Gashaka State shall be death by firing squad. Gashaka State shall be established along the Nigerian border with Cameroon with its capital at Gembu and will be known as Nigeria's wildlife state and shall be covered by special animals rights provisions

[4] Animals will take priority over human beings in Gashaka State. Whenever there is a conflict, human settlements will be relocated, leaving the animals to roam freely under wild conditions. Half of Gashaka State shall be a game reserve, while the other half shall be used for other tourist activities like theme parks, mountain climbing, etc

[5] A national Park Rangers Brigade will be formed to safeguard tourism. They will be given shoot-at-sight orders whenever they confront poachers. Then an Eighth Mechanised Brigade of the Nigerian Army will be formed and located in Gembu to provide additional security for the tourism industry

[6] All species of tropical animal will be brought to this new tourist haven with a view to having thriving communities of every known specie indigenous to our environment over the next 20 years. Tourist operators who build hotels, game resorts, railway links, etc in Gashaka State will be offered a five year tax holiday

[7] An international airport shall be built at Gembu using federal funds and a railway network shall be build connecting the rest of Gashaka State to the capital

[8] The Nigerian Tourist Board shall put together tourist packages that will enable visitors to go to Gashaka but as part of their visit also go to other attractions like Olumo Rock, Lake Oguta, Ikogosi Warm Springs, Idanre Hills, Umuahia War Museum, Obudu Cattle Ranch, Tinapa, etc. A high-speed special National Tourist Railway Network shall be constructed, liking all these sites together

[9] Given that Taraba State straddles the River Benue that is always overflowing its banks, an artificial dam should be built at Lau or Ibi. The Taraba State government should look to generate at least 20,000MW of electricity from this facility. Local villagers may have to be relocated as part of this programme

[10] Taraba is also an elevated territory. This makes it ideal for growing coffee. I want to see the Taraba State government attract investors to open mega coffee plantations across the state. Its cities like Jalingo, Wukari, Baissa, etc, should all be home to coffee processing plants!