The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has said his government will make Olumo Rock the best tourism destination in the country.
He also stated that his administration will now shift its focus to tourism as a deliberate policy to benefit from the potential inherent in that sector of the economy.
According to the Governor, a plan would be developed to ensure that the Olumo Rock Tourist Center receives the befitting presentation it deserves.
Governor Abiodun spoke on Wednesday while inspecting the Olumo Rock Tourist Center, which he said represents the deep culture, history, and tradition of Egbaland and the state as a whole, with over 20,000 visitors in 2024.
“Now, the tables have finally turned to tourism, and we are going to be very deliberate about pushing the frontier in our tourist development.
“Tourism with the potential it offers is not only a source of income or revenue for any state or nation. We’ve seen nations whose only source of income is tourism. We’ve seen nations that have transitioned from being dependent on oil, and now 70 percent of their revenue comes from tourism,” he said.
The governor noted that Olumo Rock is the foremost tourist attraction site in the state, promising that it will receive the uplift it deserves to make it the best destination for visitors both within and outside the country.
He stated that if the government is not intentional and deliberate about restoring, maintaining, and protecting its tourist centers, the facilities will gradually begin to depreciate and erode.
“This tourist sites represent our very deep culture, history, and tradition, and we must do everything to protect them and ensure that they are sustained because they remain our connection between the present and the past. Long after many of us are gone, they will continue to remind our generation of where we all came from and our history.
“I must commend those who have continued to look after this place. I believe that this site can receive better attention, and it will get the best attention from now on.
“I have taken note of a few things and changes that we are going to be making. This administration has pushed for improvements in infrastructure, education, healthcare, women’s empowerment, social development, and agriculture.
“We will develop a plan to ensure that Olumo Rock indeed has a much better and befitting presentation going forward,” he added.
