Ado-Ekiti in Ekiti State, Nigeria, was a meeting point for tourism stakeholders and enthusiasts from Nigeria and worldwide as they gathered for the sixth edition of the Ekiti Hike Mountain Safari on Monday, April 1, 2024.
The state Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, led top government officials, dignitaries and tourism enthusiasts, among other respected personalities, to explore Abanijorin Cave and Mountain in Iyin-Ekiti.
Some of the dignitaries that joined the Governor to hike Abanijorin Rock were the Tourism Minister, Lola Ade-John; Director-General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Dr Nura Kangiwa; Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye; Senator Babafemi Ojudu; Ekiti State’s commissioners, representative of the Director-General of the Nigeria Tourism Development Authority (NTDA); wife of the Oluyin of Iyin Ekiti, Olori Adeniyi Ajakaye; popular Nigerian actor, Yomi Fash-Lanso; Oguntoye Twins of Twins Creation, and dozens of local tourists and students from different states in the country, among others.
In his speech, Governor Oyebanji, who observed that Tourism is next after Oil and Agriculture, emphasised that Ekiti has the potential to re-awake the nation’s economy.
Oyebanji, who appreciated Lola Ade-John for being part of the historic event, sought the Federal Government’s support in the bid to develop the State’s Tourism Development Master Plan targeted to reshape the economy and improve the revenue base of the State.
The governor explained that the multiplier effects of the Ekiti Development Master Plan are enormous as it would create more job opportunities for the people, create a healthy environment, and improve the revenue base of the state.
The Minister for Tourism, who said her visit was to encourage and promote the Ecotourism sector of Ekiti State, appreciated the beauty of Ekiti’s tourist sites and added that they needed further development and promotion.
While commending the Oyebanji-led administration for its commitment to promoting Ekiti tourism, the Minister for Tourism promised the Federal Government’s collaboration with the state to develop and promote its tourism. Ade-John emphasised that the future of tourism in Ekiti looks promising.
A former adviser to the President, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, and the NIHOTOUR DG, Alhaji Nura Kangiwa in their separate remarks commended the state government for the temerity of purpose and determination to harness the tourism potential in the state for economic development.
Kangiwa, in a brief chat with REPORTERS AT LARGE, who was in the state for about three days said he has used the opportunity to explore some of the tourism sites in the state. He advised that the government should not relent in its efforts at annexing the potential.
Also, the Ekiti State Bureau of Tourism Development DG, Amb, Ojo-Lanre said that the economic importance of hiking cannot be underrated saying it boosts tourism revenue and promotes employment opportunities for people.
He added that hiking would also preserve the natural heritage for future generations to enjoy and see the beauty of nature.
The tourism boss, who implored the people to explore Abanijorin Mountain, revealed that it has seven caves, a rock tunnel, an amphitheatre and a breathtaking vista.
Ojo-Lanre appreciated the Minister of Tourism, Director General of NIHOTOUR Alhaji Nura Kangiwa, and the State Governor, saying their presence signifies a shared commitment to advancing the growth and development of the tourism sector.
Meanwhile, Governor Oyebanji, Minister of Tourism and her team earlier visited the Palace of Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti, Oba Adeniyi Ajakaye, where they were told about the various potential endowed, particularly the history behind the mountain “Okuta Aba ni Jorin.”
The hike to the Abanijorin Cave and Mountain, led by Governor Oyebanji, Senator Ojudu, Oluyin’s wife, Olori Adeniyi Ajakaye, the Ekiti Assembly Speaker, Hon. Aribasoye, the Director-General of the Ekiti State Bureau of Tourism Development, Amb. Wale Ojo-Lanre, and other hikers and tourists, took about two hours.
Hikers, tourists, students, and Ekiti indigenes who participated in the sixth Ekiti Hike Mountain Safari, and local tourists who explored Abanijorin Cave and Mountain described the experience as historical.
They commended the Discover Ekiti Tourism Club and Ekiti State Bureau of Tourism Development for the initiatives, especially in making artificial staircases and other facilities that eased the hiking and the refreshments to replenish the energy.
They urged the Ekiti State Government to make the event a continuous exercise for economic development.
At the top of the Abanijorin Rock, participants in the hike were served hot pounded yam with varieties of soup bush meat that were freshly prepared on the mountain and palm wine while hip-hop singer Elekiti Boiz and other artists entertained them.
