KWSG PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN THE STATE

The Kwara State Government has pledged to support the development of tourists’ sites in the State to create employment, boost Internally Generated Revenue, develop infrastructure, and increase the standard of living of the citizenry.

The Commissioner for Communications, Hon. Olabode George Towoju gave this pledge today in his office, during a joint working visit of the Management of Harmony Holdings Limited and Kwara State University led by the Head of Business Delivery Service at Harmony Holdings Limited, Mr. Ṣẹgun Tajudeen Ópóọlá, and Head of Creative Arts and Tourism Department KWASU, Prof. Binta Sulyman, respectively.

Mr. Ópóọlá described Harmony Holding Limited as an investment arm of the Kwara State Government with a mandate to create job opportunities for indigenes and deliver economic returns to the State by investing in key sectors of the economy and managing State assets.

Mr Ópóọlá and his team came to seek the support of the State Government to develop Agba Dam, Molete Dam, and Sobi Hills to state-of-the-art tourist attractions.

Mr Ópóọlá said, “when all of these are completed, Kwarans and foreigners alike would go there for relaxation and sightseeing, while simultaneously creating employment, developing infrastructure and generating revenue for the State”.

In her remarks, Prof. Binta Sulyman, explained that her team at the School has travelled wide and carried out researches to aid the development of the hospitality and tourism industry in the State and highlighted a number of sites in Kwara State with solid potential to become hotspots for tourism.

She also mentioned that “Kwara could rival the UAE, Saudi, Egypt, and Kenya in tourism due to the high number of sites discovered during our research provided that the needed funding for development is available.”

“Tourist attractions in Kwara such as the Crater Lake in Obbo-Aiyegunle, Owu Waterfall, Oko Hills, Ijoko Waterfall, the Kinano-Yara Cave in Kaiama, Imole Boja Rockshelter in Odo-Owa, and numerous other sites could turn the fortune of the State around,” she added.

In his remarks, the State Commissioner for Communications, Hon. Olabode George Towoju praised both teams for coming up with such a noble idea for the State.

While acknowledging their efforts, Hon. Towoju advised that due process must always be followed in pursuit of the goal and proposed that the team meet with the Kwara State Tourism and Hospitality Board; hash out modalities for partnership and investment on the projects.

“There is a new sheriff in town in person of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. We cannot continue to do things the old ways then expect new results. Go back to the drawing board, meet with other critical stakeholders, liaise with them, and then come up with a united front and a blueprint.”

Hon. Towoju called for a Committee to be set up to that effect which would include the Kwara State Ministry of Communications, Kwara State Ministry of Water Resources, Kwara State Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Kwara Ministry of Environment, Kwara State Tourism and Hospitality Board, Harmony Holdings Limited, and Kwara State University.

“We need all hands on deck to create the Kwara of our dreams. We must always put Kwara first. The administration of Governor AbdulRazaq is committed to building a Kwara that works for all. It is a duty and responsibility we owe to our children and grandchildren. Kwara must work.” Hon. Towoju added.

In her contribution, the General Manager of Kwara State Tourism and Hospitality Board, Mrs Bola Onietan welcomed the Commissioner’s submission and added that the Board is open to partnership with interested parties and investors for the greater good of Kwara State.

Others at the meeting include the State Director of Culture and Tourism, Alhaja Ayisat Buhari; State Director of Information Services, Alhaji Ayobami Akanbi; Director, Personnel, Finance and Supply, Ministry of Communications, Alhaji Hassan Afodun; Assistant Director, Culture and Tourism, Hajia Ramat Sarouk; Project Delivery Officer, Harmony Holdings Limited, Mr Kamaldeen Habeeb; Head, Special Projects, Harmony Holdings Limited, Mr Salman Abdullahi, and Member, Legal Unit, KWASU, Mrs M. B. Alaya.

Adebola Oladipo

Information Officer

Kwara State Ministry of Communications.