By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has urged tourism investors to consider coming to the state as it has different sites that could be explored for their benefits and the state.
Mr Makinde made this appeal on Monday while commemorating World Tourism Day at the popular 246 steps Ado-Awaye Hills, Iseyin Local Government, Iseyin.
He said the state government under his watch was looking to turn tourism into another oil boom to improve the internally generated revenue (IGR) of the Pacesetter State, calling on the different stakeholders to support this drive.
The Governor, who was represented at the event by his Special Adviser on Tourism, Mr Ademola Ige, added that this year’s World Tourism Day theme Tourism for Inclusive Growth was apt as the state government was set to work with investors on a Public-Private Partnership scheme.
In his speech, the Chairman of Iseyin Local Government Area, Mr Muftau Osuolale Abilawon, noted that the council was ready to expand the tourism potentials of Ado-Awaye, adding that the site has placed Oyo state on the world map.
“We need to make our tourism sites attractive for the people. This is the reason we have decided to promote our domestic tourism. Our philosophy is to promote our tourist attractions,” the council chief said.
The climax of the one-day event, hosted by the Alado of Ado-Awaye, Oba Olugbile Ademola, was the conferment of ambassadorial awards on 29 recipients, while 40 government functionaries and tourism promoters were awarded for their roles in promoting tourism in the state.
Part of activities marking the 2021 World Tourism Day was mountaineering at the Ado Awaye suspended lake which is one of the two lakes of such in the world.
Other highlights at the one-day event included a performance by cultural troupe, picnicking, music and comedy.
Aduragbemi Omiyale