Oyo State governor Seyi Makinde has declared that the state is on course with its commitment to expanding its economy through tourism. Tourism remains a key cornerstone in the administration’s economic strategy.
The governor maintained that the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, located in Alakia, Ibadan, would receive a wide-bodied aircraft before the end of the year, signalling its upgrade to an international airport.
The governor stated this on Saturday at the commissioning of the Kunle Afolayan Productions’ Film Village and Resort, Igbojaye, adding that setting up the village in the state is a significant achievement and proof that the government’s decision to focus on tourism has begun to pay off.
Governor Makinde congratulated Kunle Afolayan on the project and said the state government would do everything possible to ensure its success.
He directed the Itesiwaju Local Government to commence immediate processes to fix the Okaka-Igbojaye Road leading to the film village.
He added that the state would construct a solar mini-grid in the film village and bring a dedicated electricity line from Okaka to the facility.
The governor called on Nigerians and non-Nigerians to invest in Oyo State, noting that the state is open to any business that could add value.
According to a statement by Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Special Adviser (Media) to Oyo State Governor, He said, “What a remarkable feat this is for my brother, Kunle Afolayan, the visionary whose project brought us together.
“I welcome everyone to Oyo State, the sanctuary of Yoruba culture and history. This project speaks directly to the heart of everything we are working towards in this state, particularly our drive for infrastructural development and expansion of our economy through key growth sectors, including tourism.
“I was explaining to the Minister of Creative Arts and Tourism that in my first tenure, I put together a Roadmap for Accelerated Development, 2019-2023, which stood on four pillars: education, health, security and expansion of our economy through infrastructure development and agribusiness.
“When the people allowed me to come back for a second term, we produced another document known as the Roadmap for the Sustainable Development of Oyo State, 2023-2027, and we added tourism and solid minerals development as part of the channels through which we want to expand the state’s economy.
“So, this KAP Film Village is a testament that we are achieving the vision. This project represents a big win for Oyo State. Kunle Afolayan is not from Oyo State, but see what he has done there.
“For us in Oyo State, we want everyone who can add value to our state. So, no matter where you are from, please invest in Oyo State.
“Afolayan chose this place, and what this project has achieved is that it has put this location, Igbojaiye, on the global map regarding tourism.
“As a government, we remain committed to creating the enabling environment for businesses to thrive. I will talk to the Commissioner for Energy to put in here a solar mini grid. Second, we will do it even if we have to take a direct electricity line from Okaka, which is only 23 kilometres away, to be dedicated to this place. I will be here around Christmas, and there must be a reliable electricity supply to this place by the time I come.
“Also, we are committed to rehabilitating the road leading here to ease access and improve connectivity.
“Thankfully, an international airport is being set up in Ibadan, and the airside should be ready around October or November this year. We will receive a wide-bodied aircraft at Ibadan Airport around that time.
“I was planning a simple airstrip at Otu for security surveillance. We said we would put one in Otu and another in Igbeti. We are just about procuring the aircraft to utilise with the surveillance equipment. But now, I have also caught the vision; we will not only set up the airstrip for security surveillance, but we will also add tourism.
“Quite frankly, from the airport in Ibadan with a caravan aircraft, you will take about 20 minutes to get to Otu and another 15 minutes. With the good road we plan to build, we can easily get people here.
“Itesiwaju Local Government will fix the road from this film village to Okaka. I will approve the cost of building the road in earnest.
“Let me reaffirm today that tourism remains a cornerstone of our economic strategy in Oyo State. Because of our closeness to Lagos, our connectivity to the rest of the country, and our ambition to have a regional airport in Ibadan, I think we are well on our way. We will do everything within our means to ensure that this film village and resort that we have just commissioned today will not only survive but thrive.”
