As Gov Oni unveils 15-storey Ekiti House model

Governor Segun Oni, unveiling the
prototype of the Ekiti Economic
House

Tourism, which the Federal Government has declared as the sixth priority economic sector took centre stage of serious deliberations and economic analyses at the second Ekiti State Economic Summit held at Ado-Ekiti last week.

The summit was organised by a group of seasoned Ekiti intellectuals and business moguls headed by Mr. Ayo Ajayi, the erstwhile CEO of UAC, to fashion out a realistic road map for the economic emancipation of the state. Though second in the series, the turn out at the summit was not only impressive but appreciable going by the quality of the discussion and the intellectual tenor that ensured. Ekiti, which prides itself the fountain of knowledge proved to the whole world that the epithet was not in vain by the quality of men and women that turned out for the summit.

The turn out for the revitalization of Ekiti economic by Ekiti elite, academics and professional groups vividly portrayed the Governor Oni led government as not only acceptable but one which enjoys the popular support of the people. It was a genuine identification with the vision and mission of Governor Oni by the veritable economic discussion and road map that evolved from the summit. And throughout the four-day deliberation, tourism was a focal point of discussion paragraph igniting the passion for tourism in Ekiti. Governor Segun Oni in his opening address called the attention of the participants to the innumerable tourism potentials of the state. “Our state is abundantly blessed with innumerable tourism potentialities. We are not sleeping at enhancing these inestimable gifts of nature particularly the Ikogosi Warm Spring, but we should be clinical and meticulous in our dealings with the investors who have signified their interests in the state.

The Ekiti economy should not be rooted in any concept devoid of sustainable and beneficial realities. We have to migrate from the agrarian agricultural product producers to a mass export oriented large scale farmers with a keen participation in the tourism economy of the world by conscious enhancement of all the tourism potentialities in the state for empowerment, employment, wealth creation, mobilisation and poverty eradication. Governor Oni said that “as we are very eager to see that Ikogosi is developed to international level and acceptability, we should not rush at committing blunders which can ignite generational condemnation .” He disclosed that some corporate concerns have signified their interest s in Ikogosi Warm Spring development but he has not been particularly impressed and convinced about the capacity and the integrity of some of them.

“Hence, we are still going to re-open up another public bid for signification of interest on Ikogosi. We are not going to limit the tender to Nigeria but explore international medium for the expression of interest advert.” Governor Oni said that his vision at mobillising all the economic sectors in the state was unshakable. “Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I have a solid belief in the economic greatness of this state. And I have made up my mind to do everything humanly possible at raising the economy of the state so high that other states will bow down in respect and envy.”

Governor Oni also unveiled the model of the Ekiti State Economic House, a 15-storey edifice with outstanding architectural features which if completed will be another tourism site in the state. The edifice will be a productive object for tour packaging and managing agencies as it will feature, letable apartments, hotel suites and accommodation, a floating restaurant and event centre for multi-purpose functions. The unveiling of the model of the edifice commanded wild applause from the participants who roared joyfully and thanked God for the ingenuity of Governor Oni led administration in Ekiti.

Count down to Osun-Osogbo festival: Infogem signs 5 years deal with Osogbo Heritage Council - Commences festival marketing in 17 countries

Following its unprecedented trend at sustaining a corporate sponsorship and marketing status for the annual Osun-Osogbo Socio-Cultural Festival, the festival committee has reviewed the terms of contract of INFOGEM Limited as the Official Marketing Consultant for another five years. The contract agreement which was sealed and signed at Planet One Hotel, Maryland, Lagos, had in attendance the Iyalode of Osogboland, Chief (Mrs) B. Kolade, Chief G. Oparanti, Ajagunna of Osogboland, Chief T. Salami, Abese of Osogboland, Ayo Olumoko, Managing Director/CEO, INFOGEM Limited, Mr. Wanle Akinboboye, President, La Campagne Tropicana Group, and Mr. Adigun Ajani, Special Adviser on media to Susanne Wenger.

Earlier at the venue, the Ajagunna of Osogboland, Chief Oparanti, expressed the satisfaction of the Ataoja of Osogboland, Oba Iyiola Oyewale Matanmi III, on the performance of INFOGEM at giving the festival a corporate identity and patronage, adding that it was on this platform that the committee deemed it fit to retain the services of Ayo Olumoko for the next five years “Today we are opening a new chapter of agreement of sponsorship and marketing of Osun Osogbo Festival for another five years with INFOGEM Limited and I assured you that this new concept gladdened the minds of Oba Oyewale Mantanmi, Chiefs and the Community at large”. Reciprocating the gesture, the MD/CEO, INFOGEM LTD, Ayo Olumoko, thanked the Ataoja and the festival committee for recognising the impact of INFOGEM at sustaining the sponsorship and marketing expectation of the festival thus assuring the committee of better years ahead.

“In line with the new contract signed, we have set a five-year projection to make the Osun-Osogbo Festival a preferred destination for tourists and visitors. For this year’s event we are looking on possibility of inviting people from 17 countries to start with”. Olumoko disclosed that efforts are already in top gear to make it a success as synergies have been established with some international organisations and companies on how to showcase and package a destinations tour to Osun Osogbo. “One of these organisation is the La Campagne Tropicana Group, which is an expert in this field and we are working together as managing partners on the international marketing and how to boost foreign tourists traffic”. “However, we are also looking at some possibilities, to making the Osun grove more crowd friendly and secured as well. So we are planning to restrict the parking of cars at the grove and to this end, we are making an alternative car park for motorists outside the event venue”.

Olumoko added that one of the innovations for this year's event is the plan to build a tourists village where visitors buy souvenirs, art and crafts. “Also we are looking for ways of expanding the press pavilion at the grove to accommodate the increasing number of press delegates, but we can not just do that until we receive the approval from the appropriate authorities, which we are still waiting for.” Olumoko in an hysterical manner extolled the long span of strength, courage and dedication of Mama Sussane Wenger for her prehistoric and sustainable custodianship of the spirit of ingenious art work at the grove, adding that though Wenger had on many occasions declined federal honours but in celebrating with her for her selfless determination to celebrate the Osun-Osogbo for the rest of her life, the festival committee has also dedicated August 6 and 7 of every year to immortalise her by organising Sussane Wenger Heritage Sacred Art Exhibition and symposium at the Nigerian Institutes of International Affairs, Victoria Island, Lagos.

However, Olumoko maintained that the new corporate sponsors for the 2008 Osun- Osogbo Festival are still finalising the sponsorship bid which in turn will be unveiled on July 15, 2008.

'WALE OLAPADE