With gubernatorial elections looming across the country, I am looking out for governorship candidates who will pledge to boost tourism by creating dedicated animal colonies like this

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

[1] It is easier to provide security within a small enclave within one state

[2] 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.

[3] However you cut it, Nigeria needs to come up with innovative ways to generate foreign exchange as from 2027 because crude oil simply cannot be relied upon

[4] What I have in mind is governors floating local animal sanctuary companies with their states having say a 30% stake in these ventures

[5] Ringfence the facilities, provide them with security, power, pipe borne water, transportation links to the outside world, Broadband, etc and watch them blossom.

[6] If they create 2,000 jobs each, that is 2,000 youths off the street. As things stand, I am yet to see any 2027 gubernatorial roadmap

[7] Nigerians are too fixated on the federal government, forgetting that it is the state that carries the bulk of the responsibility in a federation

[8] It is time for the Nigerian electorate to start holding their governorship candidates to account. Grill them about their plans for the state

[9] In a federation, the centre actually owes its existence to the federating units and not the other way round

[10] I would just love it if one party came out with a manifesto pledge that as from say 2030, every state it governs will be self-sufficient and self-reliant

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