Governor Abubakar Market Bauchi State on Twitter

Governor Abubakar Market Bauchi State on Twitter


The Bauchi State Governor, Mohammad Abdullahi Abubakar, today said he is committed to turning the state into one of the tourists destinations in Nigerian, urging tourists to visit the state, which he boasted is safe with good facilities.

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

While displaying great pictures of the Yankari Games Reserve on his twitter handle, 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 region, the governor, in his several tweets, allayed any security fears, saying the state is not only safe and secure but that the people are peaceful loving and accommodating.

He further stated that the state government is ready to take advantage of the slump in the international tourism to grow the local economy, adding that the Yankari Games Reserve remains pivotal to the growth of tourism.

According to him, “The water in Wikki Warm Springs is so clear that 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 easily 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 to do so.’’

The state government estimates the Yankari Games Reserve to be the large wildlife park located in the South-central part of the 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.
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 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.