As the State of Osun joins the rest of the world to mark this year’s World Tourism Day, Governor Adegboyega Oyetola has said tourism remains an area of focus to boost the State’s economy.
The Governor adds that the Tourism Sector will continue to be one of the three critical sectors the State has adopted to driving revenue generation alongside agriculture and mining.
The Governor stated this while delivering a speech at the occasion of the World Tourism Day held at the Center for Black Culture and International Understanding, Osogbo.
Governor Oyetola who was represented at the occasion by the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Wole Oyebamiji said the State had, before the Covid year, re-engineered and retooled tourism to align with its resolve to shore up economic base and bolster the image of Osun as the home of culture and tourism in Nigeria.
Speaking on the celebration of the Tourism Day, the Governor said it aims to foster awareness among the international community of the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, political and economic values.
According to Oyetola, “In line with this agenda in mind, the State Government has committed huge amount of money to the development of our Tourism Site among which are Ayinkunigba Waterfalls, Obanla Palace, Ilesa, Ile Ifa in Ila Orangun, Ika Palace, Ejigbo.
“The State has also being taken full responsibilities in the Celebration and promotion of our festivals. Osun Osogbo Festival, Kiriji Festival and the just-oncluded Olojo Festival also witness the presence of the State Government.
“In line with the position of the UNWTO Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili, that “The potential of tourism is enormous, and we have a shared responsibility to make sure it is fully realized”, we are, as a Government, committed to creating an environment conducive for the participation of all in the realization of the Tourism potential that abound in our communities.
“In order to further promote and enhance our cultural heritage, our Administration not only declared Thursday as the Adire Cultural Day in all government agencies but also made it compulsory for the inauguration of Culture and Tourism Club in all Secondary Schools in the State. This is with a view to catch them young and inculcate in them the values of our rich cultural heritage”. He stated.
In his welcome Address,the Supervising Commissioner for the Ministry of Tourism and Culture in Osun,Engr Lekan Badmus said this year World Tourism Day theme “Re-thinking Tourism” is apt as it is aimed to make the industry an inclusive ,sustainable and resilient sector.
Engr Lekan Badmus stressed that Tourism is an industry that can drive the global recovery from the devasitating effect of the 2020 Corona virus that ravage the world and nose dive the Tourism Sector into Oblivion.
Engr Lekan Badmus said the Governor of the State of Osun,Mr Adegboyega Oyetola having foresee the need to look elsewhere has work for the enhancement of the economic potential of the State with his total commitment to the development of Tourism site in Osun State.
Also Speaking at the event ,where various lecture on Tourism activities,quiz Competition , as well as cultural Dance was at display to the admiration of the Lovers of Arts and Culture in attendance was the Executive Director,Centre For Black Culture and International Understanding ,Professor Siyan Oyeweso.
According to Prof Siyan Oyeweso, the State of Osun is blessed and endowed with many natural things that other states lacks.
He maintained that the population of Tourists to Osun Osogbo Festival on yearly basis has become a thing of envy for other state, noting that the yearly income the festival is fetcing for the State and its economic impact is very huge.
Professor Oyeweso also disclosed that no any other states have the kind of cultural edifice that meet the international standard like that of Centre For Black Culture and International Understanding ,Osogbo.
He therefore appreciate the Governor of the State of Osun,Mr Adegboyega Oyetola for amicably resolving the misunderstanding on Black Culture Centre and urge the handlers of Osun Osogbo to improve on the Security aspect of the festival to boost the yearly patronage.