FTAN-Rivers commends President Tinubu administration for transforming Bonny Island into rising tourism, economic powerhouse
The Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), Rivers State Chapter has expressed profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for initiatives and investments that are increasingly positioning Bonny Island as one of Nigeria’s most promising tourism, investment and economic destinations.
The Rivers State Chapter of FTAN believes that the renewed attention to infrastructure, connectivity, economic development and investment opportunities under the Tinubu administration has fundamentally strengthened the prospects of Bonny Island and the wider Niger Delta as a destination capable of attracting visitors, investors and businesses from across Nigeria and beyond.
Speaking on behalf of the Federation, the Chairman of FTAN, Rivers State Chapter, Mr. Iminabo Princewill said the development represents an important opportunity to unlock the enormous tourism potential of Bonny and its surrounding communities.
“We commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his administration for recognising the strategic importance of the Niger Delta and for creating an environment in which places such as Bonny Island can increasingly fulfil their potential as tourism and economic destinations. Bonny is not simply an island; it is a treasure house of history, culture, nature, enterprise and hospitality waiting to be fully presented to the world.”
FTAN-Rivers describes Bonny Island as a destination with an exceptional combination of rich history, coastal beauty, traditional institutions, festivals, architecture, waterways, cuisine and warm hospitality.
The island’s historical significance, maritime heritage and relationship with Nigeria’s economic development give it a unique story that can be transformed into compelling tourism experiences.
Its beaches, waterways, creeks, mangrove ecosystems and surrounding coastal environment also provide opportunities for eco-tourism, cultural tourism, heritage tourism, waterfront recreation, community tourism and educational tourism.
According to Mr. Princewill, the time has come for Bonny to be deliberately developed and marketed as a destination rather than being viewed principally through the lens of its industrial activities.
“Bonny can become a place where people come not only to work or do business, but also to experience Nigeria. We must tell the Bonny story properly, package its attractions professionally, preserve its heritage and create tourism products that visitors can enjoy safely and sustainably.”
FTAN-Rivers particularly sees an opportunity to build a productive relationship between industrial development and tourism.
With Bonny’s importance to Nigeria’s energy and maritime economy, the island has the potential to demonstrate how economic infrastructure can coexist with a vibrant visitor economy.
The association believes that increased economic activity can stimulate demand for hospitality, transportation, restaurants, tour operations, cultural entertainment, events, crafts, creative industries and other tourism-related enterprises, creating opportunities for young people and local businesses.
FTAN therefore calls for deliberate collaboration among the Federal Government, Rivers State Government, Bonny Kingdom, Bonny Local Government Area, private investors, traditional institutions, communities, tourism professionals and development partners to create a coordinated tourism development framework for the island.
FTAN-Rivers stresses that the ultimate measure of tourism development should be the extent to which local people benefit from it.
The association advocates for programmes that will equip young people and community members with skills in tour guiding, hospitality, catering, transportation, event management, digital marketing, photography, cultural performance, handicrafts and other tourism-related services.
Mr. Princewill noted:
“Tourism must put money into the hands of ordinary people. When visitors arrive, the taxi operator, tour guide, food vendor, hotel worker, boat operator, artisan, photographer, entertainer and small business owner should all have an opportunity to benefit. That is how tourism becomes meaningful and sustainable.”
While appreciating the Federal Government’s contribution to the island’s growing economic prospects, FTAN-Rivers believes that the next step should be a comprehensive Bonny Tourism Development and Investment Master Plan.
Such a framework could identify and package the island’s major tourism assets, establish tourism routes and experiences, promote investment opportunities, strengthen visitor information and signage, encourage hospitality development, protect cultural and environmental resources, and create a distinctive destination brand for Bonny.
FTAN also recommends stronger promotion of Bonny through domestic tourism campaigns, international tourism exhibitions, digital platforms, documentary productions, cultural festivals, destination marketing and strategic partnerships with travel and hospitality operators.
The association believes that the emerging transformation of Bonny presents an opportunity not only for the island but for Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole.
A thriving Bonny tourism economy could contribute to job creation, youth empowerment, cultural preservation, local enterprise development, investment attraction, revenue generation and diversification of the state’s economy.
FTAN-Rivers therefore congratulates the people of Bonny and appreciates the Federal Government for the direction of development that is helping to open new possibilities for the island.
“We believe Bonny is entering a new chapter. With the right planning, partnerships, investment and commitment to sustainability, Bonny can become one of Nigeria’s signature coastal destinations and a model of how tourism, culture, community development and economic growth can work together,” Mr. Princewill said.
The Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria, Rivers State Chapter, pledges its readiness to work with all relevant stakeholders to promote Bonny, strengthen the tourism ecosystem in Rivers State and ensure that the state’s extraordinary cultural and natural assets are converted into sustainable opportunities for its people.
