Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has expressed his administration’s resolve to grow the state’s economy through tourism. He said the Igbo Ora festival of Twins and Multiple Births will be promoted to gain world acclaim as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Makinde stated this over the weekend in his speech at the annual World Twins Festival, which was themed “Twinning for Love, Unity and National Economic Reorientation,” held at the Methodist Grammar School, Igbo Ora.
The governor said that his government would continue promoting the festival because of its uniqueness and importance to Ibarapaland and Oyo State.
He added that his government would also accelerate efforts to develop the necessary infrastructure to support the drive, stating that it would double its efforts to ensure that the ongoing rehabilitation of the Ido/Eruwa road is completed.
Makinde, who was represented by his deputy, Barr. Bayo Lawal pledged his government’s continuous support for the festival to attract more investors.
He stated that this would be achieved through improving facilities and creating an enabling environment for tourism to thrive in the state.
The Igbo Ora Community Foundation and Ibarapa Central Local Government, in collaboration with the Oyo State Government and Twins World Creation Intercontinental, organised the event.
Makinde said: “What we are doing today is worth celebrating. You can see that we have a lot of people who came here from far and wide for this event. ‘’
Earlier, the chairman on the occasion and member representing Ibadan North-East/Ibadan South-East Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Abass Adigun, said, “The annual festival does not only showcase the premium placed on culture and tradition by the Oyo State Government but also shows the values and uniqueness of the Igbo Ora Community in the state and all over the African continent.”
He lauded Governor Makinde for putting the festival on the global map and attracting tourists and investors to develop the state’s economy.
