I'm sitting in a rocking chair at my grandfather's porch. It is a warm February afternoon in my village at Enugu State, Nigeria. The vista before me is breathtaking: endless fields of green palms, mounds of cocoyam plants and the ever-present fresh scent of brown earth. I feel like I am in another planet, after the hustle and smoke-filled air of Lagos state. I want to bottle up the wholesome feeling. I see goodness, freshness all around me. I observe that the women and children are radiant and healthy, thanks to the vegetables and abundant fruits.
I begin to think; Can't we have a wellness center in this village? The cool breezes heal. Fresh-as-you-can-get foods nourish. Pristine streams flow in the northen part, red hills dot the landscape in the east. Towering trees and photo-worthy hamlets are just some highlights on the route.
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| Rural Mexico now a Tourist Hub. Photo credits: Doris Okenwa |
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| Development in Rural Mexico |
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| Resort in Rural Mexico |
Can't we have a spa here? Can the state government look again at the many rural communities just like my village and see economic potential? Can we act like Mexico and transform our exquisite lanscape to resorts, villas and wellness centers? Can we build cottages or chalets for the busy professional to visit and renew, restore and refresh? Can we tap into the economic potential of the palm forests and build industries, hence provide employment for the restless youth and, reduce urbanization? Can we transform our native crafts into viable products for export?
Can we look again at our rural communities as potential tourist hub?
i like the piece, but will our government hear? Even our western villages are fresh and open to development.
ReplyDeleteGood article. As usual...
ReplyDeleteI like the idea. Many governors are trying. See what Akpabio is doing in Akwa Ibom.
ReplyDeleteMexico planned well. Maybe Nigeria can learn.
ReplyDeleteHave hope Nigeria
ReplyDeleteHi ..interesting blog. You can do better though.
ReplyDelete