The State of Osun, under the leadership of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has said the present administration in the state would not rest on its oars until Osun is turned to African tourist destination.
The Special Adviser to the governor, Hon. Taiwo Oluga on Friday made this disclosure while speaking on the efforts made so far by her Ministry.
According to her, the Ministry has gotten approval from the Governor to ensure overhauling on the tourist sites across the length and breadth of the state.
Hon. Oluga made the statement on a telephone conversation with our correspondent while speaking on the efforts made so far by her Ministry.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism and Culture said her Ministry has designed programmes and policies that would turn around the socio-economic potentials embedded in tourism and culture.
Oluga maintained that the state is working assiduously to ensure that tourism plays its due role on the economy of the state, saying her Ministry has mustered efforts to make tourism the mainstay of the state’s revenue base.
She described Osun as number one state in Nigeria blessed with rich culture and tourism potentials which according to her has real capacity to bring positive effect on the state’s economy.
“Our determination to turn Osun to African tourist destination has in no doubt reached the zenith in view of the positive results on the steps taken so far.
“My emergence in the last four montths has witnessed series of interventions. We have redefined the system. We have designed a workable template as we pursuing right course to turn Osun to cynosure of all eyes in tourism and culture”, she added.
Enumerating some of the achievements made so far, Oluga said, “the new leadership under my watch has secured approval to revamp the sector and as I am talking to you,we have made a move to actualize this initiative”.
”We believe strongly that the renovation of our tourist sites will not only give a befitting look but change the direction to effective and efficient management of the sector.
“If our tourist sites were given the required beautification, renovation and modern look, thus, the idea of turning our state to African tourist destination will definitely come to fruition.
“And for this singular reason, we will not rest on our oars to ensure that tourism sector wear a new look that will serve as best means of generating revenue for the state.
”Within the space of four months, our Ministry has participated at 2017 edition of Drums Festival in Abeokuta; we also participated at Lagos maiden edition of Music and Film Fiesta.
“Our Ministry also sponsored the 2017 edition of Eid-il-Fitr Carnival, 2017 edition of Easter Carnival, 2017 Olojo festival as well as the organization of the maiden edition of National Conference in collaboration with the Institute of Hospitality and Tourism”, Oluga enunciated.
