Obaala Of Ijesaland Eulogises Oyetola For Making The Palace A Tourists’ Destination
The Obaala of Ijesaland, High Chief Ibitoye Olayinka has commended Osun State Government, under the leadership of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, on his efforts to give the Obaala Palace a befitting look, thereby making it a tourist destination.
Chief Olayinka gave the commendation in his Palace in Ilesa during a courtesy visit, by the Supervising Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Engr. Olalekan Badmus, to inspect the level of work done on the refurbishment of the palace. He opined that now that the palace has been fully restored, it will not only attract more tourists from far and near, it will consequently boost the economy of the State.
He therefore pledged his unceasing support to the administration of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola.
While speaking, the Supervising Commissioner for the Ministry, Engr. Olalekan Badmus expressed satisfaction on the work and the restoration process, adding that the State Government is working tirelessly to ensure adequate restoration of the major historical sites in the State in other to save them from total extinction.
He noted that the Governor deliberately impressed it upon himself to see that both Igbo-Ifa in Ila-Orangun and Obaala Palace in Ilesha became tourists’ destinations, especially for those who are willing to know more about Ogedengbe and Igbo-Ifa.
Engr. Badmus, who was accompanied by the management team of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Osun Tourism Board as well as Council for Arts and Culture, on a day on- the- spot accessement of the tourist sites in Ila-Orangun and Ilesha, said Yoruba is very rich in Culture and Tourism, noting that was why Governor Oyetola mandated that those acient structures must be fully restored.
The Supervisor however appealed to tourists, both at home and abroad to always patronise the two great historical sites. He equally appreciated the German Gerda Henked Sifting Makkastenstra Dusseldorf for given the State the grant to facilitate the project.
It would be recalled that the Osun Government, few weeks ago, embacked on refurbishment of the ancient Igbo-Ifa in Ila-Orangun and Obaala Palace, Ilesha to make them tourists’ destinations.
