As Oyo State joins the rest of the world to mark this year’s World Tourism day on Wednesday, the State’s Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun, called on investors and well meaning Indigenes of the state to partner with government, to develop the sector and boost its income.
Such partnership,, the Commissioner remarked at the event held at the historic Bower’s Tower in Ibadan, would go a long way to enhance the state’s economy and free the state from dependence on Federal Allocation.
Dr. Olatubosun said if the existing 168 tourist sites in the State were fully harnessed, it could upturn the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to power a transformational development and prosperity for the people.
He specifically charged prominent Ibadan Indigenes to rally round to support the rehabilitation of Bower’s Tower in order to restore the glory of the monument as well as its host city.
The commemorative anniversary celebration recorded massive turn-out and was applauded as the first of its kind since the state joined the rest of the world four years ago to celebrate Tourism Day.
The event had hitherto being marked in different locations in other parts of the state including: Idere Hills, Ibarapa (2019), Iyake Lake, Ado-Awaye (2021), Iyamopo, Agbele in Igbeti (2022).
Designed by Taffy Jone who also designed Mapo Hall and named after the first British Resident Commissioner for the interior of Yorubaland in Ibadan, Captain Robert Lister Bower, Bower’s Tower was unveiled on December 15, 1936.
The 60ft- tall tower was erected on Sapati Hill, Oke Are., the heart of the state capital city.
It has one of the most notable tourist/historical sites in Ibadan that has had popular songs and adage woven around it..
One of such is the: “Ibadan lo mo, o mo Layipo” (meaning, you only know Ibadan, but you don’t know Layipo). Layipo here, referring to the 47 Spiral Stair Case tourists must climb to reach the summit of the tower which commands a “bird’s eye view of the entire sprawling city, the third largest in Africa, South of the Sahara.
President General, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, Barrister Niyi Ajewole, assured the state government of the association’s readiness to partner with it in making the State a world class tourist centre and destination of first choice.
Chief Mrs Mutiat Olayinka Ladoja, the Maye Iyalode of Ibadanland and a Cultural Ambassador; enjoined the people of the state to rally round government for the refurbishment of Bower’s Tower.
According to her, giving the monument, a cultural pride of the city, a face-lift, is a collective responsibility of all Ibadan people.
Elder State man, High Chief Bayo Oyero lauded the efforts of Governor Seyi Makinde led Administration for creating the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, laying emphasis and focus on Tourism as an industry which if well driven would be a potential earner and contributor to the GDP of the State.
In his own remarks, the Okanlomo of Yorubaland and Mogaji Ile Olugbade, Engr. Dotun Sanusi, said the legacy that Bower’s Tower represented shouldn’t be allowed to be effaced but must be sustained for the present generation and posterity to inherit and appreciate.
Hence he pledged to undertake the rehabilitation of the access road lto the tourist site, assuring that it would soon wear a new look.
Chief Mrs Ayo Alaga, the President of Ibadan Vanguard Sisters, described her experience at the celebration as fantastic when climbing the spiral stairs of the Bower’s Tower which offers a panoramic view of the whole of Ibadan, even as she reechoed the call for the creation of Ibadan State as a long awaited dream of Ibadan descendants.
Prof. R. A. Alabi of the Department of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Ibadan, gave a lecture entitled: “Tourism and Green Investment” on the occasion. He expantiated on the nexus between Tourism and Green Investment, stressing on the protection and maintenance of a healthy environment particularly in the line of Domestic Tourism.
Dignitaries who graced the event include: Engr Dotun Sanusi of Ilaji Resorts and Sports; Chief Bayo Oyero and Chief Mrs Mutiat Ladoja, Father and Mother of the Day respectively. Asipa Balogun of Ibadan land (also,Amona of Lagos, and Baba Oba of Eri Osun) His Royal Highness Oba Dr. Sir Kolawole Adegbola.
Spiritual Father of the day, The Emeritus Prelate, Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence Dr Sunday Ola Makinde, GPJ, CON,
The Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Mahood Olalekan Balogun, was represented by Chief Monsuru Abiola Arulogun, the Bada Olubadan of Ibadanland, in company of other Traditional chiefs. Others in attendance were Obas in the Land, traditional and religious leaders, Otunba Seye Famojuro, Heads Of National Agencies, State Corporations, Oyo State serving commissioners, House of Assembly Culture and Tourism Committee Chairperson and Members, Stakeholders from the Tourism and Hospitality Sector, Societal Groups and Associations of different magnitude in Ibadanland, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, CCII Executives and members, Market Leaders, Artisans, amongst others.
Oyo State is blessed with 168 Historical and Tourist Sites, natural wonders and cultural attractions. hence a showcase of cultural potential.
Other highlights of this year’s World Tourism Day were special displays by Rams Lovers Association which staged a ‘Ram Game’, performances by the State’s Performing Troupe, and Asake Elemu’ who spiced the occasion with her palm wine spot.
Popular Ibadan-born Fuji musician, Saheed Osupa entertained guests with his rhythmic beats.
World Tourism Day is celebrated annually on September 27th. This year’s celebration in Oyo State was in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, CCII.