In what could be described as visible determination to develop Ado-Awaye Tourism Heritage, His Royal Majesty, Oba Revd. Ademola Olugbile Folakanmi, Makuledoye II, Soludero 1, the ALADO of Ado-Awaye and the Chairman, Ado-Awaye Tourism Heritage Development Initiative (ATHID) has visited Iba Gani Abiodun Adams, the Aare-Ona Kakanfo and the Generalismo of Yoruba land in his Lagos residential home on Wednesday 21 April, 2021.
While giving the reasons behind his scheduled visit, Oba Folakanmi appreciated Iba Gani Adams for his key roles in preserving and developing Yoruba culture and tourism heritage and most importantly, for welcoming him and his entourage to his home. Kabiyesi said, “we are visiting you today to appoint you formally as the life Patron of Ado-Awaye Tourism Heritage Development Initiative (ATHID) and more importantly to seek for your public endorsement of our various activities on our tourism heritage site at Ado-Awaye. This to us would serve as a marketing strategy to promoting the image of our cherished heritage to the attraction of the whole world for international recognition so as to compete with other tourism destinations in the country”
Speaking further, Chairman of Ado-Awaye Tourism Heritage Development Initiative, Oba Folakanmi mentioned some of the various tourism destinations on Ado-Awaye hill to Aare Ona-Kakanfo which include the popular Iyake Natural suspended lake; newly discovered Ladeebo ancient cave; elephant tree; sacred and adventurous forest; Ishage hill; feet of elders; verge of death; Iya-Alaro lake for swimming and aquatic purpose among others.
In addition to this, ALADO of Ado-Awaye requested from Iba Gani Adams to use his personality by calling on the general public such as business tycoons, students populace, public servants and others to be patronising Ado-Awaye tourism destination. Laying emphasis on the forthcoming “Children Day” celebration planned programme slated to hold between 27th and 28th May, 2021; world tourism day-September 2021 and the major Iyake Festival coming up between 1st and 5th December, 2021.
In his conclusion, he used the opportunity to appeal to Aare Ona-Kankanfo to assist him to influence would-be investors to come and invest on the site. He finally submitted a business plan proposal on the development of Ado-Awaye Tourism Heritage assuring him of profit making partnership deal amidst guaranteed security.
Responding, the Aare-Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba Land, Iba Gani Abiodun Adams welcomed Oba Folakanmi and his entourage warmly to his castle. Speaking further, Iba said, “I am highly delighted to be honoured and appointed as the life Patron of Ado-Awaye Tourism Heritage Development Initiative (ATHID) and to give necessary endorsement in the same manner of appointment to some of the line-up activities towards promoting Ado-Awaye tourism heritage.”
The Yoruba Warlord, Iba Gani Adams said, “I wish to congratulate Ado-Awaye people for having a visionary Oba who is working tiredlessly to develop the town.” He stated clearly that, “Community development is not a sole responsibility of a leader but joint efforts in the right directions.” On this note, he charged all the stakeholders in tourism industry, the government, especially the host council, philanthropist, the business tycoons and the community people to support Kabiyesi in his strong efforts to develop Ado-Awaye tourism heritage via various activities as unveiled in his speech.
He concluded by pledging his unalloyed support in all ramifications as he promised to make himself available in person at the forthcoming “Children Day” celebration slated for 27th and 28th of May, 2021 as part of the line up of activities designed toward promoting Ado-Awaye Tourism Heritage.
On the Alado of Ado-Awaye’s entourage were, Mr Nasiru Oladokun, Chairman, Ado-Awaye Community Development Council, Mr.Gbenga Fatokun, Mr. Azeez Afonja, Mr. Yekeen Asimiyu, Prince Niyi Okunade, Principal Secretary to ALADO of Ado-Awaye among others.