Poor Economy: Gov Abubakar Resorts to Twitter to Market Bauchi State

Governor Mohammad Abdullahi Abubakar of Bauchi State

As part of efforts to boost internally generated revenue in the face of the dwindling resources, Governor Mohammad Abdullahi Abubakar of Bauchi State has expressed his commitment to turn the state into one of the tourists destinations in Nigeria.

He has therefore urged tourists to visit the state, which he said is safe and boasts good facilities.

Abubakar who took to his twitter handle (@GovMAA) on Friday to promote the tourism potentials of Bauchi State, called on Nigerians to spend their holidays in Yankari, Bauchi State, adding that it is now too expensive to do so in Dubai and London at the prevailing exchange rates.

Displaying dazzling pictures of the Yankari Games Reserve in his twitter, the governor, caused a twitter storm, as most respondents including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and Senator Ben Murray Bruce, applauded his initiative and determination.

While some people expressed worries over the security situation in the North East, the governor in his several tweets allayed any security fears, saying that the state is not only safe and secure but that the people are peace loving and accommodating.

He further stated that the state government’s readiness to take advantage of the slump in international tourism to grow the local economy, saying the Yankari Games Reserve remains pivotal to the growth of tourism.

According to him, ‘’The water in Wikki Warm Springs is so clear, you can see everything. Dubai is too expensive. Come to Bauchi! There is a daily flight to Bauchi from Abuja - I fly it regularly. A car takes you from airport to Yankari.

‘’Our state is naturally beautiful. Our job is to ensure it’s also healthy for our residents and visitors. I'm the Chief Marketing Officer of of Bauchi State. It's my job.’’

The state government estimates the Yankari Games Reserve to be the large wildlife park located in the south-central part of Bauchi State. It covers an area of about 2,244 square kilometres (866 sqm); and is home to several natural warm water springs, as well as a variety of flora and fauna.

According to the management of the reserve, its location in the heartland of the West African savannah makes it a unique place for tourists and holidaymakers to watch wildlife in its natural habitat.

It was originally created as a game reserve in 1956, but was later designated Nigeria’s biggest national park in 1991 and one of the most popular destinations for tourists in Nigeria.

It is a rich wildlife resources and an important refuge for over 50 species of mammals, including the African bush elephant, olive baboon, patas monkey, Tantalus monkey, roan antelope, western hartebeest, lions, African buffalo, waterbuck, bushbuck and hippopotamus but poaching, hunting and illegal grazing have drastically reduced the number.

It also has a large and diverse freshwater ecosystem around its freshwater springs and the Raji River.
It is said that there are also over 350 species of birds in the park. Of these, 130 are resident, 50 are Palearctic migrants and the rest are intra-African migrants that move locally within Nigeria. These birds include the saddle-billed stork, white-rumped vulture, guinea fowl, grey hornbill, and the cattle egret.

As of 2005, the park was recognised as having one of the largest populations of elephants in West Africa, estimated at more than 300. But experts said that the growth of the elephant population had become a problem for surrounding villages at times as the animals invade farms during the rainy season. The elephants have also stripped the park of many of its baobab trees