The Oyo State Government has revealed some of its plans in the strategic direction of engaging the cultural-tourism potentials, as a means of generating revenue, which will boost the state’s economy and improve the Internal Generated Revenue (IGR).
The Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Toye Arulogun, stated this at the weekend in Iseyin during a facility tour of the Old NYSC camp ground, venue of the September 27th World Tourism Day tagged Aso Ofi Day.
The commissioner, who was conducted round by the Caretaker Chairman of Iseyin Local Government, Mr. Saheed Alaran, explained that the state government was making adequate preparations towards a hitch-free tourism day, which would be used to celebrate the state’s rich cultural heritage in Iseyin, the base of the locally fabricated textile, Aso Ofi.
Mr. Arulogun stressed the need for government and the people of the state to promote the cultural heritage of the state, noting that, the new cotton farm initiative by some local governments in the state was a pointer to better days ahead.
He stated further that the state government will shortly host a tourism summit, celebrate Amala Fiesta, promote Yoruba traditional wedding ceremonies and resuscitate our tourist sites and monuments.
“We need to promote, support and uphold our cultural heritage. By doing this, our economy will improve, and things will turn around for us in this state. Also, the onus is on every citizen of this state, both at home and in the diaspora to support the promotion of our local fabric, Aso-Ofi for the growth of our fashion tourism. This will definitely improve our IGR and uplift the economy of this state”, he posited.
The state government’s spokesperson also decried the low patronage of locally fabricated textile, stressing that, if properly harnessed and promoted by indigenes as well as residents of the state, it would boost the economy and increase the IGR.
Speaking, the Caretaker Chairman of Iseyin Local Government, Mr. Saheed Alaran expressed the local government’s readiness to support the state government in the successful hosting of the event.