THE essence of having a crop of people with dignity, sincerity of purpose and genuine intention to serve at the helms of affairs of a state or nation has once again, manifested in Ekiti State. With the convergence of the illustrious sons and daughters of the state, the monarchs on the state at Bishop Abiodun Adetiloye Hall, for the third edition of the State of the State Forum, last Friday the state governor, Mr. Segun Oni, sequentially gave an account of his stewardship.

Governor Oni, utilising data, materials analyses and verifiable pictures, showcased developmental projects, efforts and projections, which his administration had embarked upon, completed and ongoing, with no iota of cosmetic propaganda.
In the governor’s view, tourism will neither blossom nor thrive in any environment with  parlous state of infrastructure,  unfriendly people, who are suffering from poverty, insecurity of lives and property, uneducated youths and discouraging health services.

Hence, he took a giant and aggressive stride at road construction and maintenance, promoting health care services, electrification of the state in both rural and urban areas, tackling poverty, ensuring qualitative education for both youth and adult.

“Before we came on board, the state did not have up to 200 kilometres of good roads, but now, we have over 400 kilometres, and, by the completion of the budget, we will have up to 1,000 kilometres of good roads.

“We ensure that the rural areas in the state are electrified while our 132, 133 KVA transmission stations will be completed soon.

“We are on the road to fulfillment on infrastructure, and we shall not relent on our effort at ensuring the availability of good infrastructural facilities in the state.

“Also, our health sector experienced unprecedented growth, with significant increase in the number of the primary health centres, continual development of the College of Medicine in the state. We ensure a clean and hygienic environment. And we plan to establish an additional school of Nursing and Midwifery this year,” Oni revealed.

In fulfillment of his promise at the last State of the State Forum, on the rehabilitation and rebranding of the Ikogosi Warm Spring, Governor Oni did not only  renovate the spring, but also promise continual renovation and maintenances of the spring.

To cap it all, he, in collaboration with the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), erected craft shops at the spring.

Governor Oni said his administration, with the assistance of the NCMM, established the Herbal Farm, which is being marketed worldwide for an investor to turn the resort to a top destination for health tourism and nature-centre holidays.

On Fajuyi Park, a memorial park for top achievers, which was reconstructed and inaugurated by their  Oni-led administration, he said it would be concessioned to a private operator this year.

Also, as part of his tourism agenda for the year, Oni assured of the building of Itawure West-End Tourism City at Ita-Ido.
Oni said: “We have acquired substantial land for Itawure West-End Tourism CIty at Ita-Ido, and the survey plan has been prepared by the state’s Ministry of Lands and Housing, while the final drawings on the tourism city has been completed. I want to assure you that the phase one of the project will begin this year and the private sector will be involved in its execution.”

He disclosed further that his administration would develop tourism potentialities in the state and enhance local capacity building through skills transfer.

In a bid to promote sport tourism, he said that his administration would build a standard stadium, with ultra-modern facilities.

He noted that the study of aircraft would be encouraged and promoted in the state even before the completion of the state’s airport. This according to him, would ensure the employment of the many unemployed youths in the state when the airport is finally built.

Governor Oni said that the enhancement of the deluge of tourist attractions in the state would not only beautify the state, but would also create employment, empower the people of the state, while generating revenue and mobilising wealth for the people and the state, noting that, “We have opened Ekiti State significantly and tremendously.”

The commitment of Governor Oni towards tourism development in Ekiti State is a plus to Nigerian tourism development, which, if emulated by the governments of other states in the country, will make the country a cynosure of all eyes.