AquatecH Wonderland and Lakes are still in raw form. It is born out of the passion to create a place for leisure and attract visitors from all over the world.
Located at Fodacis, off Adeoyo Hospital Road, Ibadan, the developing tourism potential is the handiwork of Dr Ayobami Omidiran, whose passion of turning waste into wealth and create opportunities for younger generations to develop their creative ability is enviable.
This agro-tourism centre is part of facilities at Aquatech College of agricultural and technology, a government-approved institution where the need for broader knowledge in larger areas of Agriculture and Technology and other related programmes is being laundered and tailored to meet the need of this generation and next.
Explaining the rationale behind the project, Dr Omidiran, the Provost of the College said, Actually, we are looking into core agrotourism and to compliment it we are also looking at the recreational aspect of fishery. This is because we have what we called recreational fishery, so introducing recreational fishery will also help in our drive towards promoting domestic tourism in the country.”
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“We are trying to replicate what is obtainable in another part of the world so that people can come for recreational fishery at periodic intervals, during the programme participants get recreated through a foray into the fishing aspect and at the same time they also learn one thing or the other about fishing and another aspects of agro-tourism.”
“Like they do at the Argungu festival, people will jump into the lake to fetch fish, and lucky people with the biggest fish will be rewarded with prizes. They must also know the name of the fish they have caught during the period. In spite of the security challenges foreigners still visit Argungu festival annually, it is an international festival and that is also what we are looking at.”
Dr Omidiran explained further that canoes are always on the lake for people to paddle around the water. “Paddling canoe is also an exercise on its own. Doing it for just 10 minutes makes the body lighter and loses some calories and the experience will not be forgettable.”
He explained further that there was a plan for an extension to accommodate other facilities and that will enhance domestic tourism in agro and eco aspects as well as training people.
Speaking about the Aquatech College, Dr. Omidiran, who holds a Ph.D. in Fishery from the University of Ibadan, revealed that the school which he started 10 years ago was developed out of a desire to put into practice what he studied at the university.
“At the school, we trained people in fishery and poultry management, as well as marketing of the products, we also offer National Diploma and certificate for our students and have trained over 1500 students since we started and we produced between 30- 50 tons of fish annually.”
Dr Omidiran revealed “Apart from the college, we are open to partnership and ready for investment proposal in any area of our interest. We want to create here an aquatic splendour where learning and tourism cohabit and mingle for empowerment and business. Our doors are open for investors in areas of hotel, restaurants, bar and lounge.
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