The Plateau government and the Federal Ministry of Arts, Tourism and Creative Economy have signed a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU), toward boosting tourism in Plateau.
The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN), reports that Governor Caleb Mutfwang signed the document on behalf of the north-central state, while Hajia Hanatu Musawa, the minister, signed on behalf of the Federal Government.
Speaking at the ceremony held in Abuja, Musawa said that the goal was to build a synergy toward reinvigorating tourism in Plateau.
“The creative economy is one area we have not harnessed effectively.
“President Bola Tinubu’s administration is focused on diversifying the economy and one area we are targeting for robust growth is tourism,” she said.
The minister said that Plateau’s weather, wildlife sector and captivating natural habitats had made it attractive to foreign and local tourists, hence the need to revive and improve its tourists’ attraction sites.
She expressed happiness that the state had continued to attract lots of visitors in spite of its challenges.
She also commended Mutfwang’s deep interest in diversifying the Plateau and national economy, pointing out that more jobs would be created If the tourism industry is given the deserved attention.
“You cannot talk about tourism without mentioning Plateau, so I am happy that we are working on this initiative.
“Tourism has never been extinct in Plateau. It will never be. Saying Plateau is unsafe for tourism is a wrong narrative we must avoid.
“Plateau is where tourists can go into, directly,” she stated.
The minister promised that the Federal Government would work with states to boost initiatives targeted at shoring up Nigeria’s economic growth, and assured Mutfwang of her support “at all times”.
In his remarks, Mutfwang thanked the minister for the deep interest in Plateau and declared that she was “Plateau State’s Cultural Ambassador”.
He regretted that the culture and tourism sector had not been given the deserved attention in the country.
“This is a sector we have left fallow for too long.
“In Plateau, we organise a Unity Carols and Praise Festival which ushers in December every year and that usually attracts many people to the state.
“In 2024, we had lots of prominent people that joined the millions that trooped into Plateau for the activity.
“In 2025, we even had a group from Katsina State. We have had former national leaders like retired Generals Yakubu Gowon and Olusegun Obasanjo, among others.
“People come in and get into hiking and hot air balloon, among other activities. We want to make it even more unique this year.
“The idea is to show that Plateau is peaceful and safe so that we can change the negative narratives.
“There are some sporadic attacks, but Jos is safe, by and large. We want to make Jos attractive to all.
“People keep trooping to Plateau. Its hospitality sector is still booming. The hotels and other recreation spots are always filled up.
“We are committed to making Plateau safe and we are deploying technology to make Jos safer,” he said.
Mutfwang said his administration would develop a Diaspora City in Jos.
“We have the space and weather to do that; we shall do it,” he added.
Mutfwang also spoke of the many tourism sites in Plateau and pointed out that the Wild Life Park in Jos was second in Africa only to the one in Kenya.
“We need to revive it to make it more lively and attractive. We are already on that,” he said.
He also spoke of the Naraguta Leather Works and disclosed that there was an ongoing Public Private Partnership (PPP), arrangement to revive it.
According to him, other projects being revived through PPP arrangements include the Plateau Hotel and the Solomon Lar Amusement Park in Jos.
He said that the Plateau government had signed an MoU with a private firm to develop tourism sites in Kerang, especially around the volcanic mountains that produce the Swan water.
The governor said that the hills behind Police College, Jos were being considered for development as a tourism spot with prospective developers already making enquiries.
He said that the state had a special specie of cactus in Pankshin.
“That specie of cactus is found only in Pankshin. There is nowhere else you can get it in the whole world,” he said.
He said that Plateau had many games reserves waiting to be revived, and expressed optimism that the MoU with the Federal Government would help the state to develop such sites to international tourism sites.
“Generally, there is a lot we can leverage on. And a lot is going on. We want your ministry to facilitate some of the programmes in this respect,” he said.
He commended the minister for the support and called for an even deeper cooperation toward building a strong tourism sector that would attract tourists, generate revenue and create jobs.
“Our goal is to develop a strong tourism sector that will attract foreign and local tourists to Plateau all year round,” Mutfwang said. (NAN)
The All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate in Nasarawa State, Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, has announced Chief Michael Emmanuel Ombugadu as his running mate for the 2027 election.
Wadada made the announcement in a statement issued on Monday, describing Ombugadu’s selection as an effort to strengthen the party’s ticket ahead of the election.
He said Ombugadu brings more than three decades of experience spanning administration, public finance, community service, academia and the private sector.
Wadada said his running mate began his professional career at Ashaka Cement Plc before serving at Isa Mustapha Agwai I Polytechnic, Lafia, and later at the Nasarawa State Pension Bureau, where he rose to become Director of Finance and Accounts.
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According to Wadada, Ombugadu’s career has been marked by diligence, accountability and public service.
He also described him as a grassroots politician whose political career has been shaped by resilience, loyalty and commitment to his constituents.
Wadada said Ombugadu’s decision to prioritise the interest of the APC and the collective interest of the state over personal ambition during recent political developments demonstrated the qualities he brings to the ticket.
“Beyond the positions he has held, I value the man: his humility, his loyalty, his understanding of our people and his commitment to service,” Wadada said.
He said the joint ticket reflects the diversity of Nasarawa State and the interests of its people across the 13 Local Government Areas, 18 Development Areas and 147 electoral wards.
Wadada reiterated his campaign theme, “One Nasarawa. One People. One Future,” and pledged to run an issue-based campaign focused on unity and development.
“We will run a campaign that unites rather than divides; that focuses on issues rather than sentiments; and that places the development, security, prosperity and dignity of the people of Nasarawa State above every other consideration,” he said.
Wadada congratulated Ombugadu on his selection and expressed confidence in the APC ticket ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Alfred Dapal Damiyal (ADD) has been affirmed as the Governorship Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for Plateau State ahead of the 2027 governorship election, with Mwadkon Dung Vincent nominated as his running mate.
The affirmation took place on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at the NDC State Secretariat in Jos, where delegates and stakeholders of the party gathered to reaffirm their confidence in Damiyal and his capacity to lead the party into the 2027 governorship contest. The exercise was supervised by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), providing institutional oversight to the process.
During the gathering, Meadkom Dung Vincent was also nominated to serve as Damiyal’s running mate, giving the NDC a clear governorship ticket ahead of the 2027 election.
The affirmation marks a significant milestone in Damiyal’s political journey and provides the NDC with a clear standard-bearer and running mate as the party begins to intensify its preparations, mobilisation and engagement with voters across Plateau State.
Damiyal’s emergence is anchored on his NEWTHINKING philosophy, which advocates a new approach to governance based on accountability, transparency, equity, inclusion, innovation, human-centred development and good governance.
His campaign maintains that Plateau State is at a crossroads and requires leadership capable of responding to contemporary challenges with contemporary solutions. Damiyal has repeatedly emphasised the need for a fundamental change in the approach to governance, stressing that the state cannot make meaningful progress by relying on outdated methods to address modern problems.
“We cannot continue to apply analogue solutions to digital problems if Plateau is to make meaningful progress. We need a new way of thinking if we desire a new Plateau.”
With extensive professional experience in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, alongside his background in entrepreneurship and leadership, Damiyal’s supporters believe he brings a combination of professional experience and fresh ideas to the political contest. His proposed agenda places strong emphasis on security, education, economic development, employment, agriculture, infrastructure, youth empowerment, innovation and accountable governance.
The NDC candidate’s campaign also seeks to build a broad-based movement across Plateau’s 17 local government areas, presenting NEWTHINKING as a platform for creating a safer, more united and prosperous state.
For his supporters, the 2027 election represents an opportunity for Plateau voters to make a deliberate choice about the future direction of the state and to demand leadership focused on development, competence and measurable results.
The affirmation by party delegates and stakeholders, under the supervision of INEC officials, on September 15 therefore marks the beginning of a new phase in the NDC’s campaign, with Damiyal and his nominated running mate, Meadkom Dung Vincent, positioned to take the party’s message directly to the people of Plateau State.
The central message of the campaign remains clear: ADD — A New Direction. A New Standard. A New Plateau.