THE Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi has been described as tourism minded governor who has a clear and perfect vision and direction for the tourism development of the state.
Mr Toye Arulogun, Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, pointed this out while participating in a Galaxy Television programme in Ibadan, Oyo State recently.
The Commissioner revealed that Governor Ajimobi understands perfectly the economic import of tourism not only to the government, but to the people of the state.
He pointed out that the various urban renewal projects which the Governor inaugurated and executed are not only for environmental sake, but essentially to induce tourism sense and culture.
Mr Arulogun said “Governor Abiola Ajimobi being a cosmopolitan individual and a well travelled personality who appreciates the essence of branding a city and the state earned the record of being the first Governor to embark on a comprehensive rebranding of Ibadan as a city to behold, love and appreciate.”
He revealed “He understands that, first for Ibadan and Oyo State to be attractive to visitors, investors and travellers, there are certain fundamental issues which must be solved and some stereotyping which must be eradicated from the minds of the public. One of such is the issue of Ibadan being the dirtiest city in Africa, which ab initio is a propaganda and falsehood, but nevertheless, Governor Ajimobi moved fast in putting in place the necessary mechanism which now makes Ibadan clean thus removing the stigma of a dirty city. And you will agree with me that such a stigma will not and cannot be an enticing slogan for a decent tourist. We are now proud of Ibadan and it is no longer dirty, but a beautiful city with lots of history of First ever stories to tell the world. You and I can sell Ibadan city to any visitor now”.
He also revealed “It is in the Governor’s stride at selling Ibadan to visitors that he embarked on the beautification, enhancement and upgrading of the entry point to Ibadan from the Ibadan – Lagos Toll Gate interchange which was formerly a den and canopy for miscreants and other social irritants. This aesthetic enhancement runs down through Abdul Azeez Arisekola Road to Challenge, Molete axis, Ring Road – Aleshinloye – Eleyele which are not only proud of having being dualised, but all well lit up and decked with road furniture . And you know the import of good road network in a city to tourism development”.
Mr Arulogun pointed out “It is part of Governor Ajimobi’s tourism vision that a heaven has been crafted out of the jungle of Agodi Garden, an ecotourism enclave that was neglected and poorly maintained before his emergence as the governor of the state. It is to the credit of the Governor that a blissful ecotourism site has been created within the Agodi garden without destroying the flora and fauna in the place.”
He revealed “Governor Ajimobi understands and comprehends the SWOT analysis of the tourism sector in Oyo State. He knows that Oyo is a paragon of cultural and entertainment tourism and his government have initiated many programmes within the context of cultural heritage. We can remember Samodun, the recently held Amala Festival and the Aso Ofi Festival which was packaged beautifully to celebrate the 2016 World Tourism Day in Iseyin. That singular celebration has been able to stoke the interest of many entrepreneur stimulating organisations like Nigeria Export Promotional Council, Bank of Industry and others, now talking with Aso Ofi weavers in Iseyin.”
He said “The Governor is also concerned about the provision of the fundamentals, the infrastructure, and the facilities which are needed along the routes of the location of these centres.”
Mr Arulogun revealed “ Apart from creating a site out of the village where the late Head of State, Colonel Aguyi Ironsi and Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi were murdered, the state will be holding the World Twins Conference and Pilgrimage Igbo Ora, We have also launched the Pacesetters Educ- Tourism, a packaged tour of the many firsts in the state . This will serve as the vehicle to educate students, scholars and researchers about the rich historical and cultural heritage of the state”.
He said that the essence of implementing all these tourism related projects is not only to create a good atmosphere for the people living in the state, but to “ensure a high traffic of conferees , investors , visitors and others to love Ibadan, feel Ibadan and spread wealth to Ibadan.”
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