The Oyo government on Tuesday said it was willing to partner interested persons or organisations in developing more tourist sites to promote tourism in the state.
General Manager State Tourism Board, Gabriel Asaolu, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan.
Asaolu said that the government had concluded plans to develop more tourist sites in the state to generate revenue and create employment opportunities.
``We have concluded Agodi garden which is functioning greatly now, the Bowers Tower is on the way.
``The Royal Forest, Igboho (the second settlement of Alaafin of Oyo Empire where four Alaafin’s were buried) also will soon be upgraded.
``The government, because of its interest in tourism, will make other sites functional like what we have in Agodi.
``We believed that developing those sites will be a source of employment and revenue generation for the state,’’ he said.
Asaolu assured that the government would provide security for safety of tourists and to boost patronage to the sites.
``We are working towards providing good road network, conducive environment and sensitisation programmes.
``We have rich cultural heritage like ``Sango’’ festival which attracts people from in and outside the country.
``When these tourists come, they will buy clothes, shoes, foods, even cultural objects, stay in our hotels, thereby contributing to development,” he said.
(NAN)
