Bauchi State: The Home of Peace and Progress; Our Special Correspondent, Ben Asante, on a Tour of Northern Nigeria Writes about the Historic State of Bauchi, the Home of Tradition Still Making Strides

Asante, Ben, New African

Bauchi State is the strategic gateway to five other states in northeast Nigeria. The state itself is a leading breadbasket, and also endowed with natural beauty. It abounds in rare species of birds and animals which remain at the centre of the state government's determination to create a tourist paradise as part of its economic development plans.

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In pursuit of these plans, the state government is forging links with Kenya, South Africa and Namibia which have all already sent experts to Bauchi to examine the potentials for joint partnership. The climax of these efforts was the recent visit by the Namibian president, Sam Nujoma, who was hosted by the state governor, Ahmadu Adamu Mu'azu.

Bauchi may have been de-linked administratively from its neighbour Plateau State, but not from the natural beauty of this area of Nigeria that abounds in highlands, hills and rock formations. Here you come across some of the most stunning countryside scenery.

You drive in from the highlands of Plateau, leaving the city of Jos behind and immediately cross the state border, and then you start on the gradual descent that takes you into Bauchi. All along the one-and-half-hour inter-state country road are miles and miles of hills and rock formations interspersed with plush green and farming communities.

Among the various people you meet on the journey are Fulanis in colourful wear. Even along the way, you are struck with evidence of new developments undertaken by the current state governor, Ahmadu Mu'azu, in the number of newly built schools and the noise of lively school children within the school walls.

Bauchi is not only endowed with tourism potential, but has historically contributed to national political and intellectual leadership. Nigeria's first premier, Tafawa Balewa, came from Bauchi. In the decades past, before independence, Bauchi was the home of the "Discussion Circle", whose …

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Publication information: Article title: Bauchi State: The Home of Peace and Progress; Our Special Correspondent, Ben Asante, on a Tour of Northern Nigeria Writes about the Historic State of Bauchi, the Home of Tradition Still Making Strides. Contributors: Asante, Ben - Author. Magazine title: New African. Issue: 426 Publication date: February 2004. Page number: 46+. © 2005 IC Publications Ltd. COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group.

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