How Emirs’ Palaces Can Transform Nigeria’s Economy – Allen Onyema

Traditional and cultural resources available in the north of the country can earn Nigeria more revenue than crude oil, according to Chairman of Air peace, Allen Onyema.

“Anytime I travel to the north and visit an emir’s palace, I always shake my head because of what we can be making from the palaces as a country,” he said while making a remark at a 20 years of democracy conference organized by TELL Magazine in Abuja on Wednesday.

Onyema said many Nigerians talk about oil and overlook the north and what the region can contribute to the economy of the country.

“I can make billions from the palaces of our emirs in the north through tourism. The Northern culture is very strong, and you can sell it to the world. I will develop tourism out of them.

“Go to the emirs’ palaces and see artifacts and other traditional arts. What about the durbar? These are things the world wants to see. People will be coming here from all over the world to see these things and we can make billions from it,” he said.

Onyema urged Nigerians to shun ethnic and religious nationalism and embrace “broad nationalism” which would make them fight for each other as Nigerians and not against each other as ethnic nationalists.

Guests at the conference spoke glowing about the Air Peace chief for making his aircraft available for the evacuation of Nigerians from South Africa following a spate of xenophobic attacks.

The guests include Attahiru Jega, former chairman of INEC; Adams Oshiomole, National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress and Governor Aminu Tambuwal, among others.