Osun State Government has identified 60 tourist centres across the state with plans to prioritize 16 of them for immediate development.
This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Abiodun Bankole Ojo, while fielding questions from journalists in Osogbo, the state capital.
According to Ojo, the government’s focus on tourism is aimed at boosting the state’s economy and creating jobs for residents.
He noted that the 16 prioritized tourist centres will receive immediate attention, with the government working to activate their kinetic potential.
Some of the tourist centres identified for development include the Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove, Owala Dam, Sango Timi Ede in Ede, and Akunugba in Ila.
The government plans to collaborate with private partners and local communities to develop these sites, ensuring their involvement and benefit from the tourism initiatives.
Ojo emphasized that the government’s goal is to provide an enabling environment and security for tourists and residents making Osun State a destination of choice for cultural and heritage tourism.
He however, promised to provide adequate security for the residents and tourists that will be visiting the state during and after the 2024 Osun Osogbo festival.
Ojo said the present administration is serious about the lives and properties of the people.
Ojo described Osun Osogbo as one of the tourist centres that has the biggest natural forest with an expansion of land.
According to him, “Our government is working seriously on the security aspect, and there will be adequate security during Osun Osogbo festival this year because if there is no security, there wouldn’t be a festival. This year’s festival will be colourful and remarkable.
The commissioner highlighted the importance of private partnerships in cultural, heritage tourist centres to achieve the goal.
