A team of delegation, comprises Oyo State Ministry of Culture and Tourism, French Embassy Nigeria, University of Ibadan, UNESCO today visited Ado Hill Tourism Center, Ado-Awaye to see wonders of God located atop Ado Hill, Ado-Awaye, Iseyin Local Government, Oyo State .
The team on arrival paid a courtesy visit to His Royal Majesty, Oba Rev’d Ademola Olugbile Folakanmi in his residential home, Oke-Odo, Ado-Awaye, Araromi LCDA, Iseyin Local Government, Oyo State before embarking on their major assignment.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, the Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Ministry Of Culture and Tourism, Doctor Bumi Babalola appreciated Kabiyesi for their warmth reception at his palace despite the short notice of coming and his relentless efforts towards the development of the site.
He said in his words that, “we have actually come to carry out the physical assessment of tourism destinations on Ado-Hill, Ado-Awaye with a view to create a strong framework for a productive pertnership arrangment of the Archeological developmental designs of the place in other to be part of the UNESCO Tourism Center”. He stated further, “Kabiyesi, as you can see, in this team, we have professionals as directors in relevant fields, such as Archeology, Anthropology, Geology, also a consultant among others. “Doctor Babalola finally reiterated the commitment of Oyo state Government to boost the state internally generated revenue through diversification of economic sectors, including tourist development.
In a similar development, the Director French Institute of African Study, Nigeria, Doctor Vincet Hiribarren, said, “we are here to carry out Reserch for Archeological development of the place as rightly said by the Permanent Secretary. He concluded by acknowledging the good road network they enjoyed from Ibadan down to Ado-Awaye, which according to him would added value to their final reports on the location.
The Representative of the University of Ibadan in the team, Professor Alabi while commenting said, “we are here for a research on Archeological status of Ado Hill in partnership with French Embassy towards the development of the site for the economic advantage of the state”. I am happy to be here for the second time”. The statement concluded.
While responding, His Royal Majesty, Oba Rev’d Ademola Olugbile Folakanmi, appreciated the team for coming. Kabiyesi said, “I am so happy to see the calibre of the Permanent Secretary in my Palace this morning for this purpose, I am sure this effort will surely bring positive results”. He stated further, that Ado Hill Tourism Center is full of many wonders of God such as Iyake Suspended Lake which is the only one of the two in the whole world, and if it could be developed, it would increased the economic potentials of the State. He added, that a lot of people have been visiting the place for various adventures. He finally encouraged the government to do the needful to develop the site in order to boost the economic life of the people in the area and State as a whole.
Other Ministry officials in the team were; Mrs, Agboola M.A, Mrs Balogun Faithfulness, Akanbi Jonhson, Davies O.M, Fageebo M. O, Olamide A.(press officer MICT). Others on French Embassy list were; Lia Ruth, Mount Mbella, (IFRA Secretary General) among others.
Prince Niyi Okunade -Maku.
Principal Secretary to Alado of Ado-Awaye kingdom.
July Ist,2021.