Several Nigerian media houses reported today how the tragic collapse
of a building at The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations (SCOAN) has
already begun to have an adverse affect on Nigerian tourism and its
attendant businesses.
According to a statement issued by the Airport Car Hire Association of
Nigeria (ACHAN) of Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja,
Lagos, and signed by the chairman, Summonu Oseni, business slowed down
immediately after the building collapsed and has not picked up as
foreign visitors have dramatically reduced.
“The incident does not affect The SCOAN alone but also Nigeria’s
economy,” the statement said. “What happened is a big blow to the
economy of the nation, most especially, the airport as most of the
tourists to Nigeria are coming to visit The SCOAN. I mean, six out of
every 10 tourists come to Nigeria visit The SCOAN.”
He described The SCOAN as a positive ‘brand’ for Nigeria. “The SCOAN
is a big brand for Nigeria and a lot of revenues are generated by
those involved in the tourism chain, especially members of ACHAN, who
provide nothing less than 35 buses and equally a large number of small
vehicles to move these visitors on a daily basis.”
According to the statement, Nigeria should encourage the ‘SCOAN brand’
and not carry out malicious campaigns of calumny founded on
unsubstantiated information about it.
“We pray that this will not annoy the pastor and founder of the
church, Prophet T.B. Joshua to relocate to another country, as other
countries would like to have a man like him, who would boost tourism
for their nation.”
According to PM News, airlines are also feeling the economic impact of
the incident. An airline operator said that airlines such as South
African Airways, Arik Air, Aero Contractors, Air France and Lufthansa
Airways incurred the biggest losses from the reduction in spiritual
tourists to The SCOAN.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Joshua had already declared his
intention to visit South Africa on a monthly basis “to meet people
from South Africa and other nations who find South Africa easier to
visit, in memory of martyrs of faith”.
Tourist Visits To Nigeria Plummet After Synagogue Tragedy
