The Plateau State Bloggers and Online Media Association (PLABOMA) has paid a courtesy visit to the Commissioner for Tourism, Culture and Hospitality, Hon. Cornelius Dongnaan Doeyok, with a call for stronger collaboration between government and digital media to reposition Plateau State as a leading tourism and cultural destination.
Receiving members of the association at the ministry, Doeyok acknowledged that one of the major challenges facing the tourism sector in the state is the inadequate storytelling and visibility of Plateau’s vast tourism and cultural assets, stressing that media engagement is critical to driving investment, visitor traffic, and economic growth.
According to the commissioner, despite Plateau’s long-standing reputation as the “Home of Peace and Tourism,” the state has not done enough to project its attractions, events, and cultural heritage to audiences within and outside Nigeria.
“One of the things I have identified in this ministry is that we have not been able to tell our story well. We have the climate, the culture, the cuisines, and the sites, but we have not amplified them enough for the world to see,” Doeyok said.
He noted that the rise of digital platforms has shifted public attention from traditional print media to online news and social media, making bloggers and digital publishers key stakeholders in tourism development.
“Most of the news people read today is on their phones. That is why the advantage of online media is bigger. We need you to help put Plateau in the faces of the world,” he added.
Doeyok emphasized that beyond attracting tourists, effective media coverage could also draw investors to undeveloped tourism sites across the state, describing tourism as a viable economic driver capable of creating jobs and boosting internally generated revenue.
The commissioner further called for collective engagement with PLABOMA as an association rather than individual platforms, noting that institutional partnerships reduce bureaucracy and ensure credibility.
“Tourism cannot grow on paper. We need the world to hear about what we are doing here. Media is central to that process, and we want you involved as stakeholders,” he stated.
Earlier, PLABOMA Chairman, Matthew Tegha, said the visit was aimed at formally introducing the association to the ministry and expressing readiness to collaborate in promoting Plateau’s tourism, culture, and hospitality sectors.
Tegha explained that PLABOMA members operate across diverse digital platforms with audiences spanning local and international communities, placing the association in a strong position to project the state positively.
“Our members are spread across various online platforms with wide reach. This positions us to promote Plateau State effectively, both locally and globally,” he said.
He commended the commissioner for what he described as a visible revival of tourism and cultural activities in the state, noting that recent events have helped preserve cultural heritage while creating opportunities for youth participation and economic growth.
PLABOMA also highlighted its existing partnerships with government agencies and private sector organizations, including the Plateau State Internal Revenue Service and environmental agencies, as proof of its capacity for structured and ethical collaboration.
In his remarks, PLABOMA General Secretary, Ibrahim Kallamu, stressed the responsibility of professional online media practitioners to counter misinformation and unverified narratives that could harm the state’s image.
“When false or misleading narratives go unchecked online, they discourage tourism and investment. Platforms like ours exist to provide verified, balanced, and professional reporting,” he said.
He praised the ministry’s recent tourism-driven events, including cultural carnivals and festivals, noting that PLABOMA’s involvement helped amplify their reach beyond Plateau State.
Kallamu further stated that the Plateau Bloggers and Online Media Association being the constodian of the social media space in Plateau State recently had to issue a statement condemning a certain unidentified “Plateau State Social Media Award” which in all sense lacked credibility and professionalism given the manner of the categories and faceless organizers.
Speaking on behalf of the association’s Board of Trustees, Audu Alex observed increased social and economic activities across parts of Jos, describing it as evidence of renewed life in the state’s tourism and hospitality space.
“What we are seeing on the streets shows that something is working. With proper media documentation, these moments can change narratives and restore confidence in Plateau State,” he said.
The visit ended with mutual commitments to deepen collaboration, with the commissioner assuring PLABOMA of an open-door policy and greater media inclusion in the ministry’s 2026 tourism agenda.
“This is the beginning of a new relationship. This ministry should be one of the loudest voices projecting Plateau State to the world, and media partnership is key to achieving that,” Doeyok said.
