Ondo 2020: We Will Build A Strong Tourism Economy in Idanre - Prince Aroloye

By Deji ADEBAYO, Idanre

The leading candidate in the forthcoming April 18th, 2020 Local Government election in Idanre Local Government Area of Ondo State, Hon Prince Kayode Aroloye,  had recently reiterated his commitment towards optimal utilisation of its human and natural endowed tourism potentials in Idanre for the benefits of the people. 

       

Ondo 2020: We Will Build A Strong Tourism Economy in Idanre - Prince Aroloye

Prince Kayode Aroloye, who is contesting under the banner of APC made this assertion during a telephone chat with me believed that Idanre houses one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in Nigeria and one of the tallest hills in Africa which is approximately 3,000fts above sea level with good and fine panoramic views of vegetations and communities around it. 

It's unique ecosystem, especially on the hilltop, upon which the cultural landscape has integrated is enticing. Therefore, Prince Aroloye said, his administration will use all these assets to enhance the economy of Idanre Local Government and its people.  

The Idanre Hills Resort center has attractive views with the IRAYE Tree introducing you to what should be expected at the hills top. The Prince who many felt is the  incoming Chairman said he will operate what he called,  "Toureconomy" whereby he intends to  build and facilitate Tourism in such a way that it will help  economy of Idanre Local Government. 

In the course of the chat,  Prince Kayode Aroloye rolled out his vision for the tourism attraction centre in Idanre. He said he will utilize to the fullest the opportunity of having his kinsman, Hon. Yemi Olowolabi in place as Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, to partner with him on how individual entrepreneurs can come into private partnership arrangements with willing stakeholders so that money can come from tourists to the pockets of our local populace. 

In fact, he said, if a war ravaged Rwanda in East Africa, can bounce back rapidly into economic relevance through the use of its tourism, we can even do better in Idanre.

Wide traveled Prince Aroloye who had been to numerous countries in the course of business and tourism said,  "I have traveled to different parts of the world and I have seen countries where their major economic sustenance is tourism, many of the Caribbean countries are visible examples of such,  but in Nigeria we don't usually develop well and promote our  tourist centers. 

How then do we expect foreign tourists to visit them? 

No! It must be developed first. We must make it attractive and use it to  show the beauty of our cultural heritage first".

"By the grace of God when we get into office, we will source for international donors and private partnership, with the help of the state government, to help us develop our Oke Idanre tourism centre, we cannot house a UNESCO World Heritage Centre and be poor. 

We will develop our cultural sites such as, "Owa's Palace,  ancient shrines, Old Pre colonial days Court in Oke Idanre, Belfry, Agboogun footprint, thunder water (Omi Apaara), Omi Arun which is said to be having healing power and burial mounds".

Prince Aroloye is also of the opinion that "Idanre should have the best hotels in Ondo State if we have developed our heritage centers for visitors.  He said though Mimiko's MARE festival was a good initiative and thanked God that our people came together to host the maiden edition of Idanre Unity Carnival last year and said it should be sustained. We can develop this to become a national and international annual event. With this, Nigerians and foreigners will visit our kingdom and hotel dealers will witness more patronages while stores & supermarkets will sell their goods, transporters will smile home.  

All these will boast our economy through the expected increase in our IGR. My dream is to have an economically independent and  financially strong Idanre Local Government by the time we are 2 years in office. 

However, all these can only be achieved by your votes and supports before, during and after the April 18th, 2020 election. Let us build Idanre of our dreams".