Oyo State governor, Engr Seyi Makinde has declared that the state was well on course with its commitment to expanding the economy through tourism as a key cornerstone in the administration’s economic strategy.
This is as the Governor assured that the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, Ibadan, will receive a wide-bodied aircraft before the end of the year, signalling its upgrade as an international airport.
Governor Makinde stated this on Saturday at the commissioning of the Kunle Afolayan Productions’ Film Village and Resort at Igbojaye.
He described setting up the village in the state as a significant achievement and a proof that the government’s decision to focus on tourism had begun to pay off.
Makinde congratulated the renowned film producer and actor on the project, pledging that the state government would do everything within its means to ensure the project thrives.
Makinde also directed the Itesiwaju local government to commence immediate processes to fix the Okaka-Igbojaye road leading to the film village.
He disclosed 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, assuring that the state is open to any business that could add value to it.
“I welcome everyone to Oyo State, the sanctuary of Yoruba culture and history. This particular 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.
“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 in the state.
“For us in Oyo State, we want everyone that can add value to our state. So, no matter where you are from, please come and 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 as far as tourism is concerned.”
He assured of the commitment of the government 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, even if we have to take a direct electricity line from Okaka, which is only 23 kilometres away, to be dedicated to this place, we will do it. I will be here around Christmas and there must be a reliable electricity supply to this place by the time I come.”
He also expressed the commitment of the state government to rehabilitating the road leading to the film village to ease access and improve connectivity.
He added that, “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 are not only going to set up the airstrip for security surveillance, we will also add tourism.
“Quite frankly, from the Airport in Ibadan with a caravan aircraft, you are going to take about 20 minutes to get to Otu and another 15 minutes to get here. With the good road that we plan to build, we can get people here easily.
“Itesiwaju Local Government will fix the road from this film village all the way to Okaka. I will approve the cost of building the road in earnest.”
He reaffirmed that tourism remains a cornerstone of the state’s economic strategy in view of Oyo State’s 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, it will thrive,” he assured.
