Governor says state is repositioning tourism, hospitality and technology to create jobs for youths
Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has declared that Plateau is the bedrock of Nigeria’s Orange Economy, citing the state’s historic contributions to film, music, tourism, innovation and creative entrepreneurship.
Mutfwang made the declaration on Monday when participants of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Executive Course 48 paid a courtesy visit to the Plateau State Government at Government House, Rayfield, Jos.
The Governor, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Architect Samuel Jatau, said the state was strategically positioned to take advantage of the growing creative economy to create jobs and expand opportunities for young people.
Speaking on the theme, “The Orange Economy: Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Development in Nigeria,” Mutfwang said the choice of Plateau for the NIPSS study was appropriate given its long-standing contributions to Nigeria’s creative industry.
“When you talk about the Orange Economy, you must talk about Plateau State. In Nollywood, most of the big actors came from Jos, went to UniJos, or grew up here. In music, P-Square, M.I, 2Baba — these are all Jos people.”
He said the administration was working to reposition tourism and hospitality through a Tourism Master Plan being developed in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Mutfwang also disclosed plans to revive major tourism and hospitality assets through public-private partnerships, including the Jos Wildlife Park, Plateau Hotel and Hill Station Hotel, which he said is expected to resume operations in October.
The ongoing renovation of the Rwang Pam Township Stadium, he added, is also part of efforts to strengthen the state’s tourism and entertainment ecosystem.
On technology, the Governor said Plateau was collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Communications to establish a Business Process Outsourcing Centre in Jos.
According to him, the centre will enable young people to work remotely for international clients and participate in the global digital economy.
“The value chain in tourism and the Orange Economy in terms of employment is massive, and that is what young people are interested in today. It’s the future,” he said.
He cited young Plateau entrepreneurs, including Donald Osofo of Kora, as evidence of the creative and entrepreneurial potential within the state.
Earlier, the NIPSS delegation leader, who represented the Director-General, Professor Ayo Omotayo, commended the Plateau State Government for the warm reception accorded the participants.
He said the visit was part of NIPSS’ effort to interrogate the Orange Economy and generate policy recommendations for national development.
He explained that the delegation was focusing on the film and music industries, creative arts and tourism.
“When you talk about Plateau State, you talk about peace and tourism. And tourism is one of the legs we are interrogating. We are here to look at what the state government is doing, the issues, the challenges, and how we can proffer a way forward,” he said.
The delegation leader said findings from the engagement would contribute to policy recommendations to the Presidency, particularly on structuring the creative sector to boost youth employment and improve access to affordable loans.
The NIPSS Executive Course 48 delegation comprises participants from the military, police, paramilitary, public and private sectors and is in Plateau State to gather information and engage stakeholders as part of its research.
