PHOTOS: Oyo Gov’t hosts first international tourism summit

Oyo state Government on Wednesday played a host to investor, tourist asset owner, some other tourism stakeholder as well as other notable personalities across the country in commemoration of the First International Tourism Summit in the state. 

The two-day summit, with a theme “Repositioning Tourism as a Driver of Sustainable Development in Oyo State”, hosts at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, and will feature Dinner and Award Night with Governor Seyi Makinde. 

At the time of filling this report, Governor Makinde, is being ably represented by his Deputy, Barrister Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Lawal. 

Barr. Lawal, who led top Oyo Government functionaries to the event had earlier played a host to the Minister of Tourism, Lola Ade-John and former Cross River State Governor, Dr. Donald Duke in his office at the Secretariat, Ibadan.

Other notable dignitaries at the event included Oyo Speaker, Debo Ogundoyin; members of House of Assembly, Chief Mrs Onikepo Akande; former Nigeria ambassador, Ayoola Olukanni; former diplomats and diplomats as well as custodians of culture and heritage including the Aseyin of Iseyin; the Olu of Igboora: Onjo of Okeho; Alado of Adoawaye; Onpetu, among others. 

Members of the Oyo state cabinet in attendance were Oyo state SSG, Prof. Olanike Adeyemo; Chief of staff, Segun Ogunwuyi; Head of Service; Mrs Olubunmi Oni mni; members of advisory and elders councils, commissioners; captains of Industries and host of others. 

In her opening remarks, the former Minister of Trade, Mrs Onikepo Akande who welcomed delegates to the first international tourism in Oyo state, said that the quality of people gathered in the room speak clearly that Oyo state mean business. 

According to her, it is a testimony that the state is not just paying lip service to the development of tourism in the state. 

Mrs Akande asserted that the conference with the theme “Repositioning Tourism as a Driver of Sustainable Development in Oyo State”, is about changing the image of a thing, explaining that Oyo state is targeting wider coverage of investors for development of the state. 

She said: “Oyo state is focussing on many things coupled with incentives that are being provided for tourism development in the state. This summit is going  to be a fulfilling summit where knowledge would be shared between governments, delegates, investors among others and Oyo state will continue to attract more investors into the State to grow.”

Earlier, Governor Makinde in his goodwill message on brochure, noted that his government is committed to creating an enabling environment for tourism to thrive.

He said: “In the last five years, we have witnessed an unprecedented influx of tourists and visitors to Oyo State. A primary reason for this growth is the deliberate policies we have followed in making yo State more investor-friendly. We have focused on interconnecting all zones thereby opening our tourist sites to more visits. This is why last year, we recorded about 15 million visitors and over 5,000 tourism asset owners in the State.

As we approach the one-year anniversary of Onituntun 2.0, #ITSOyoState2024 presents an opportunity for you to be part of our success story as you explore the tourism sector in Oyo State.

“We invite you to take advantage of this opportunity to learn all you can about tourism in Oyo State. To get started, I encourage you to read the Oyo State Tourism FAQ page.”