Osun state governor, Gboyega Oyetola has pledged to revive the tourist sites in Orile –Owu, in order to boost internally generated revenue.
Speaking at 5th coronation anniversary ceremony of the Olowu of Orile -Owu, Oba Dauda Ajibosim, Lagbedu III in Ayedaade local government area, Oyetola, represented by the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Adebisi Obawale said Owu Kingdom has a historical activities that needed to be promoted as tourism centres.
“We are glad to associate with the Kabiyesi and we are also happy to see some of his achievements in the space of five years. We can assure you that, if all these could happen in just five years, then, we are anticipating more from him in the next five years.
“The Olowu has done a fantastic job in this community, he has demonstrated the trait of a good leader. And I congratulate the people of Owu Kingdom, for having such a selfless personality as their Kabiyesi. We are going to showcase Orile-Owu as a tourist center because the community is a tourist center; it has what is takes to be called a tourist centre. Orile-Owu is the source of some of Yoruba’s progenitors; it is the source of all the Owu’s all over the world. Wherever you find the Owus, this is their source. So people can also come to visit this town, like they do to other tourist centers all over the world, and this will also boost the economy of not only the community but also the state. As people come on holiday to Orile-Owu”, he said.
He noted that the inner wall and the outer wall (Odi inu, ati Odi ita) which serves as fortification for the community during war Osun Commissioner for Finance, Mr Bola Oyebamiji and Special Adviser on Commerce, Industry, Cooperative and Empowerment, Mrs Ogunfolaju Christiana Olusola, commended the Olowu in the construction of ultra- modern Townhall, magistrate court, police divisional headquarters and others.
In his remarks, the Olowu, commended the governor for his support and fatherly roles he plays in the state.
“Governor Oyetola is a man of God, and I love him because of the fear of God in him. If not for the fear of God, with meager income Osun state is making, how would he been able to pay the salaries of workers in Osun State? The governor knows that he is going to give account of his stewardship to God Almighty on the day of judgement.
“He is not the povernor of propaganda; he is a governor of reality; he is a governor of achievements; he is the governor of the masses because he knew the pain in hardship. So he is doing his best to ensure that the pains encountered by the good people of Osun state, become a thing of the past. We are praying fervently that the Almighty God spares his life, because this type of governor is very rare.
“My advice to the governor is that he should continue his good works in the state; shouldn’t allow people to influence him negatively, or mislead him. The governor believes in justice, and if he continues in this justice, peace love and progress would reign in the State”, he prayed.
Olowu’s son, a training consultant, Dr Ibrahim Akinfalade said his father is a man of justice; a man of peace, and he also fear God so much.
He advised Nigeria youths “Am a youth myself, and as youths we must work hard and believe in being sincere because in the country today, they says the youths are lazy, which I don’t believe that. We government to give us opportunity to showcase ourselves. Yes there are no jobs but once the opportunity is there, there’s so much we can do for ourselves. The youths should not be tired, they should believe in themselves, because the journey is still far ahead, but with hard work and sincerity, hopefully we would get there”, he advised.