http://www.tribune.com.ng/news2013/index.php/en/tourism/item/16856-ajimobi-%E2%80%99ll-turn-ibadan-to-best-tourists-destination-princess-akhigbe-adeyemi Ajimobi ’ll turn Ibadan to best tourists destination -Princess Akhigbe-Adeyemi
Written by Wale Ojo-Lanre and Remi Oladoye Wednesday, 17 July 2013 00:00 font size decrease font size increase font size Print Email
THE Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi is determined to restore the preeminence and pre –historic glory of Ibadan as the citadel of the very firsts and novel legacies in Nigeria.
The Oyo State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Princess Adetutu Akhigbe – Adeyemi who made this assertion during an exclusive interview with Tribune Travel and Tourism Magazine said that Governor Ajimobi is leveraging on his being a cosmopolitan and well travelled personality to rub – off on his tourism vision of the state in a grand style with the sole aim of enhancing, unleashing and exposing the economic import of this sector for the benefits of all.”
She revealed that “Sure of his vision on tourism, he severed the tourism and culture units which were hitherto departments under the Ministry of Information and created a full fledged ministry with achievable target and goals which are being sequentially implemented, executed and monitored “
Princess Akhigbe – Adeyemi pointed out that “ As a clever planner and visionary leader, Governor Ajimobi ensured that we first of all took inventory of the tourism assets of Oyo – State which are numerous, wonderful and most in their pristine state and form.
We also found out that most of these spectacular tourism wonders were in deplorable, sordid and sorry state which was definitely not fit for the status and history of the state. Hence, Governor Ajimobi’sdetermination not only to upturn this unpleasant stories, but to turn them into sites for economic emancipation, job creation and wealth mobilisation.”
She pointed out that “from day one , the Governor has never hidden his disdain to the sobriquet ‘ Ibadan as being referred to as the’ dirtiest city in Africa.‘
“As he could not be part of those who glow and radiate in such an ignominious reference to a historical and political nerve centre of Nigeria, thus mobilised all of us not only to understand his vision about urban renewal, but key into his systematic aggression at making Ibadan the most preferred tourists’destination in Nigera.”
The Commissioner for Tourism said “In faithful obedience to his vision, within the first few months, Governor Ajimobi has turned the story of Ibadan from being the dirtiest to being the neatest. You get the feeling right from all the entry points to Ibadan.
“We are happy that the hitherto eyesore, stinking and wretched looking Ibadan end Toll-gate to Challenge-Iwo Road Exchange bridge has become a well landscaped horticultural site to behold.
The old order of a colony of hemp smokers, pilferers, pick pockets and criminals has given way to ambience of peace and lovely site!
Princess Akhigbe–Adeyemi revealed “What the people are seeing now, the rehabilitation and dualisation of roads, the beautification and enhancement of the Ibadan city, the construction of bridges are just a tip of the iceberg as Governor Ajimobi has a lot in his kitty for the total branding and packaging of Ibadan to make it attractive to tourists, inviting to investors and pleasant to the citizens.”
She informed that “You see, it is only the man who appreciates gold as a precious metal that can process and enhance it for better value.”
Governor Ajimobi realised that investors usually come to a place or a country as visitors or either tourists and that the first impression and information gathered will condition his love and desire to encourage or discourage him to come and invest in that city. Thus, people are happy now that the story of Ibadan of old has given way to a splendidly new order, new day, new scene and beautiful environment.
Having greatly improved on the environment, making the city conducive and peaceful. Governor Ajimobi has listed some of the tourism sites which God and nature have blessed the city with which the previous administrations neglected.
According to Princess Akhigbe Adeyemi “ As an organised and meticulous man, who likes things to be done in sequential order, Gov Ajimobi has identified some of these tourism sites in Ibadan and Oyo state for enhancement and re – packaging with regards to environmental assessment, job creation, wealth mobilisation and empowerment.”
She disclosed that this administration would have put in shape some of the tourism sites in the state, but regrettably, “some of them are under litigation. This has not helped the matter, but with tacit diplomacy, we are getting over this and three of these tourists sites would soon be packaged glamorously for the benefit of the state, the people and economy.”
Princess Akhigbe–Adeyemi revealed further that “the first tourists site which is being touched up and which at the end of the day will baffle Nigerians is the Agodi Gardens which contract has not only been awarded, but the construction has commenced.”’
She disclosed that, “Nigerians will be surprised and happy by the time the Agodi Ecotourism and Zoological Garden will be completed.
“They will be surprised because the construction will not tamper with the eco-system, but it will enhance it beyond our imagination.”
Princess Akhigbe–Adeyemi also said that “Before the plan of a new Agodi Gardens was sketched, we had to spend four months with conservationists and wild life experts taking the inventory of the flora and fauna in the garden which enabled us to appreciate and value the garden better.
“We found out that the garden harbours some of the rarest species of flora which are on the brink of extinction.
“I am glad to inform that some Indians who visited the garden recently were highly impressed and surprised at finding some flora which have gone into extinction in their country . The fauna there are unique.
“The lions there unlike others don’t eat dead food. The natural environment have influenced the fauna and made them endemic to the garden.”
She promised that “ What you are going to see is not just a dirty and unkempt garden neither are you going to destroy your sight with a badly constructed white washed tourism centre, but a first class ecotourism enclave, with special regards to aquatic and wild life, conservation and zoological garden of pleasure and nature walk. It will be the best ever in Nigeria.”
Princess Akhigbe – Adeyemi also disclosed that apart from the Agodi Garden, Governor Ajimobi has also initiated the move to fine tune the historic Bower’s Tower which is a monument planted on the highest mountain in Ibadan where visitors can have a panoramic view of the city at once.
“The new Bowers’ Tower will stun everybody. With the design and architectural effect, it will be a fantastic magnet for tourists and fun seekers.
“Governor Ajimobi is going to wean Bowers’ Tower from the shackle of Indian hemp smokers, miscreants and criminals,” Princess Ahkigbe–Adeyemi during the interaction did not forget to say that Governor Ajimobi was not comfortable with the present state of the Cultural Centre adding that “there is nothing cultural at that centre which at present is nothing but a centre of drinking binge joint with plethora of beer parlours.
“It will definitely give way to a truly cultural centre which will be a pride of all.”
She affirmed that “Governor Ajimobi has come not as a thief in the night neither has he come as a hooligan in the day to plunder, loot and destroy, but to add value to the lives of Oyo State citizens by improving on the environment, enhance all the tourism sites and develop them for the main purpose of economic empowerment, job creations and wealth mobilisation.
“This is what Governor Ajimobi has come to do and I am assuring you the citizens of Oyo State that they have not seen anything yet, jut support all his initiatives and the state will be better for it.” |
