In line with Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji’s tourism policy of driving tourism through community participation, the Apeju of Ilupeju Ekiti, Oba David Sunday Awe Akingbade, has inaugurated the 2024 World Tourism Day Celebration Steering Committee.
The committee will be chaired by the Obanla of Ilupeju Ekiti. The committee has been tasked with the following responsibilities:
“To express the town’s gratitude to Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji for selecting Ilupeju to host the 2024 World Tourism Day celebrations, in line with the spirit of shared prosperity.
To liaise with the Bureau of Tourism Development, Ekiti State, to ensure the successful preparation and execution of the celebrations.
To prepare the Oke Ewo War Site and other tourism sites in Ilupeju for the festivities.
To coordinate and mobilize the indigenes to share in the economic impact of the celebrations.
The 2024 World Tourism Day celebrations will be held with the theme “Tourism and Peace.” The Oke Ewo War Site in Ilupeju holds significant historical importance, as it is the site where the people of the town secured peace in their settlement after a ferocious engagement with invaders.
World Tourism Day is celebrated annually on September 27th to foster awareness of the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, political, and economic value. The celebrations aim to address global challenges outlined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and to highlight the contribution the tourism sector can make in reaching these goals.
The Apeju of Ilupeju Ekiti, Oba David Sunday Awe Akingbade, expressed his excitement about hosting the 2024 World Tourism Day celebrations and the opportunity it presents to showcase the rich cultural heritage and tourism potential of Ilupeju Ekiti to the world.
It must be noted that Ilupeju Ekiti is one of the towns visited by the UN Tourism Delegation in respect of the proposed Ekiti State Tourism Development Master Plan.
The Ilupeju Community is sending a potent signal to the world that Ilupeju is ready to embrace tourism development.