Makinde seeks investors’ collaboration on tourism development in Oyo

Mr Seyi Makinde, the Oyo State Governor, has called on investors to join the state government in promoting tourism.

Makinde made the call on Monday in Iseyin, while playing host to stakeholders in the tourism sector at the popular 246 steps Ado-Awaye Hills in Iseyin Local Government Area, Iseyin.

The governor, represented by his Special Adviser on Tourism, Mr Ademola Ige, said that tourism was a viable alternative to oil and other sources of revenue generation in the country.

He urged all stakeholders in the tourism industry to partner with the state government to make the sector a catalyst for positive change.

Makinde said that stakeholders in the tourism industries were expected to be part of the tourism development efforts in the state.

According to him, the 2021 World Tourism Day with the theme: “Tourism for Inclusive Growth” is apt, as the state government is set to work with investors on a Public Private Partnership scheme to develop the sector.

In his remarks, the Chairman, Iseyin Local Government Area, Mr Osuolale Abilawon, said that his local government was ready to expand the tourism potential of Ado-Awaye.

Abilawon said that the site had placed Oyo State on the World map.

“We need to make our tourism sites attractive for the people and that is the reason we have decided to promote our domestic tourism. Our philosophy is to promote our tourist attractions,” he said.

Our correspondent report the event was hosted by the Alado of Ado-Awaye, Oba Olugbile Ademola, who conferred Ambassadorial Awards on 29 recipients.

Also, 40 government functionaries and tourism promoters were awarded for their roles in promoting tourism in the state.

The occasion also witnessed mountaineering at the Ado-Awaye suspended Lake, which is one of the two lakes of such, in the World.