10 animal sanctuaries Nigerian state governors need to create in a desperate bid to make Nigeria a tourist destination attracting hard currency

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 in 2021 because crude oil simply cannot be relied upon. Already, we have borrowed $11bn to fund the 2020 budget and I cannot see the World Bank and IMF extending us more loans next 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 2021 roadmap!