Love, they say, has no boundaries. It ignores geography, title, and status. And on Sunday, 3rd August 2025, love struck—loudly, unapologetically, and beautifully—in the serene hills and cascading waters of Ekiti State. The unexpected but heartwarming protagonist? The ever-diligent and hardworking Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Engineer Mrs. Noimot Salako Oyedele.
Her Excellency came to Ekiti on official duty, but what she found was far deeper than any state function. It was a love affair with nature, heritage, and the exceptional tourism transformation being championed by the host Governor, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji.
Governor Oyebanji, renowned for his knack for turning opportunities into experiences, gave a direct and uncompromising order to his Director General of the Ekiti State Bureau of Tourism Development, Barrister Wale Ojo-Lanre:
“Noimot must not just pass through Ekiti; she must feel Ekiti. Let her see what we are doing here. Let her experience it.”
With this mandate, a royal welcome was set in motion. Traditional Ekiti melodies filled the air as the celebrated indigenous musician, Bolarinwa Oselusi, and his band serenaded the Deputy Governor upon arrival. But this was only the beginning of a journey that would leave Her Excellency breathless and hopelessly enchanted.
The entourage’s first destination was Arinta Waterfall in Ipole Iloro, a seven-tier natural wonder tucked in the bosom of Ekiti’s lush rainforest. Against the backdrop of chirping birds and rushing waters, the Ogun Deputy Governor showed the agility of a seasoned hiker, scaling the hill with poise and determination.
As she reached the foot of the first waterfall, her eyes widened, her breath caught, and then it happened—an unguarded exclamation straight from her heart:
“This is spectacular! I love this. This is wow! I love this!”
In that moment, Arinta Waterfall didn’t just impress; it claimed her heart. The glistening cascade, the mist that kissed her face, and the unspoiled beauty of Ekiti’s hidden gem—everything conspired to forge a bond between nature and a Deputy Governor who had seen many things in life but nothing quite like this.
But Ekiti wasn’t done with her yet. Love stories deserve sequels, and Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort provided just that. This world-class retreat, a jewel now transformed into a tourist Eldorado under the private stewardship of Glocient Hospitality, rolled out its red carpet.
Welcomed by the resort’s dynamic duo—General Manager Lanre Balogun and Chief Ayo Ademiluwa—the Deputy Governor and her team were swept into a whirlwind of warmth, luxury, and Ekiti-style hospitality.
Being an engineer herself, Mrs. Oyedele’s curiosity was piqued. She quizzed the experts about the rare geological wonder of warm and cold springs flowing side by side, an intersection found nowhere else in the world. Detailed answers satisfied her intellect, but it was the experience—walking barefoot on nature’s own miracle—that won her soul.
Standing where warm and cold waters meet in eternal embrace, she declared with infectious excitement:
“Wow! This is spectacular and exciting. I love this too. Ekiti is blessed. I am in love with Ekiti!”
Her voice carried the joy of discovery, the thrill of connection. This wasn’t a casual remark; it was a confession, a surrender to Ekiti’s magic.
Before departing, Her Excellency made a vow—not to a political ally, not to a campaign trail, but to a newfound love:
“I promise to come back to Ekiti to have a full romance with my new lovers. I will also relate what I have seen here to my Governor back in Abeokuta. I shall certainly visit again—next time, with my beautiful family. God bless Ekiti State. God bless Governor Oyebanji.”
And with that, she left Ekiti with more than memories. She left with a piece of its soul, and Ekiti, in turn, will forever hold her admiration and affection.
Under Governor Oyebanji’s visionary leadership, Ekiti has not just maintained its tourism treasures—it has elevated them. Roads to these sites, once treacherous, are now smooth gateways to paradise. Resorts have been reimagined, waterfalls are more accessible, and nature thrives in careful preservation.
No wonder a Deputy Governor who has seen the best of infrastructure and hospitality couldn’t resist falling in love here. Ekiti is no longer just a state on the map—it’s a beating heart that welcomes every visitor, politician or otherwise, with open arms.
And as this love story shows, once Ekiti touches your soul, you never truly leave.
Once again, I enjoin you to
*Ojo-Lanre Esq is the Director General of the Ekiti State Bureau of Tourism Development
