By Abraham Maina Joda
Can you say “La Campagne Tropicana Gu Taraba” three times fast? Win or lose, you’re in for a journey to Nigeria’s best-kept natural secret –Taraba State.
A place where whispering hills, sacred lakes, and untamed forests have waited patiently, Taraba is about to have its moment under the tourism spotlight. And it’s not just any spotlight—it’s the La Campagne Tropicana spotlight.
Yes, the same African-themed resort experience that turned Ibeju-Lekki into a cultural playground is now heading to Ibi, Nwonyo, and the majestic hills of Ardo Kola.
Welcome to the Cultural Blockbuster of the Year
The man behind the move? Governor Dr Agbu Kefas. A leader with vision, Kefas saw not just hills and rivers, but heritage, revenue, and opportunity. Together with Otunba Wanle Akinboboye, Afro-tourism pioneer and founder of La Campagne Tropicana, they are turning Taraba into a living canvas of African excellence.
For those unfamiliar with Otunba Akinboboye: he doesn’t just create resorts—he crafts experiences that blur the line between luxury and cultural immersion.
And with engineers from Trinidad and Tobago landing at Danbaba Suntai Airport, even Taraba’s hills reportedly sighed in relief—finally, someone gets them.
Where Hills Hold Conferences and Lakes Tell Stories
Otunba Akinboboye was enchanted by Taraba’s landscape, joking that the hills seemed to be holding a summit of their own. Imagine Chief Mount Tella and Comrade Gashaka at a roundtable—geography has never been so alive.
At Nwonyo Lake, home to Nigeria’s easternmost lake-based festival, the journey felt less like travel and more like pilgrimage. Taraba boasts over 54,000 km² of unspoiled eco-tourism potential. This isn’t just sightseeing—it’s a cultural resurrection.
The Resort Vision: Culture, Comfort & Community
Expect African-themed chalets with names like Banyam, Pupule, and Kente, equipped with modern comforts and local flavour. Think: talking drums as doorbells, dancers explaining “Danburuburu” poolside, and monkeys better behaved than your last landlord.
And don’t worry—no visa required. Just get to Jalingo.
From Ministry to Movement
Leading the charge on the ground is Hon. Joseph Titus Nagombe, Taraba’s Commissioner for Heritage and Eco-Tourism. Charismatic and visionary, Nagombe isn’t pushing paper—he’s planting ideas.
From offering 790 hectares of land to spearheading youth tourism training in Lagos, his ministry is becoming a movement. The tourism economy here will wear Akya, speak Wurkun, and carry drumbeats in its heart.
Kefas: Redefining Tourism Politics
While other governors build roundabouts, Governor Kefas is building a legacy. He’s not just inviting tourists—he’s rebranding Taraba as the heartbeat of Nigerian eco-tourism. The goal? Five million visitors in five years.
And with Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa watching, Nigeria may soon lead the Afro-tourism race from the hills of Taraba.
Final Scene: The New Taraba
Picture drones over Nwonyo Festival. Hikers vanish into Mambila mist. Tourists learning Kunu brewing beside village elders. This isn’t just a tourism campaign—it’s a cultural tech boom wrapped in tradition.
Taraba isn’t waiting for Lagos to lead. It’s writing its own script—and it starts with one simple call:
Come. See. Believe.
When La Campagne meets La Taraba, magic happens.
Let the hills take it from here.
Abraham Maina Joda is proudly Wurkum from Banyam. He can be contacted via abrahammainajoda@gmail.com | 07038543606
