The Oyo State Government has assured that the Ado Awaye Suspended Lake would soon undergo rehabilitation, as the Alado of Ado Awaye, Oba Ademola Olugbile Folakanmi, commended the state governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, for resolving the 34-year crisis surrounding the traditional stool.
The State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Toye Arulogun, gave the assurance on Wednesday at the palace of the Alado of Ado Awaye during a mountaineering exercise to the suspended lake on Ado Awaye Hill.
The exercise formed part of activities organised by the state government to commemorate the 2017 World Tourism Day. Ado Awaye Suspended Lake is widely recognised as one of the few suspended lakes associated with a mountain landscape.
Arulogun, who led officials of the ministry, tourism stakeholders, local government officials and some traditional chiefs on the exercise, said some corporate organisations and individuals had expressed interest in partnering with the state government to develop the suspended lake into a major tourist attraction.
“We would have embarked on the turnaround of Ado Awaye Suspended Lake and other tourist sites in the state, but we are hindered by paucity of funds,” the commissioner said.
He explained that the government had advertised for expressions of interest from potential partners and received responses that had been reviewed.
According to him, shortlisted organisations would be invited to make presentations, after which the government would determine the framework for the rehabilitation and development of the identified tourist sites and monuments.
Arulogun expressed optimism that the cultural tourism sector would become a viable source of revenue for the state, stressing that the government was exploring the Public-Private Partnership model to develop tourism infrastructure.
At the event, Oba Folakanmi appreciated Governor Ajimobi for filling the vacant stool of the Alado of Ado Awaye in April 2017, following 34 years without a substantive occupant.
The monarch also commended the state government for the creation of Araromi Local Council Development Area (LCDA), saying the people of Ado Awaye had been seeking a local council for about 20 years.
“The government and the governor of Oyo State deserve our appreciation. Governor Ajimobi filled the vacant stool of Alado of Ado Awaye after 34 years, and he also created a LCDA for us which we had been clamouring for 20 years,” Oba Folakanmi said.
He also appreciated the government for its efforts towards rehabilitating the Ado Awaye Suspended Lake, describing the site as a major attraction capable of drawing visitors to the community.
“Ado Awaye Suspended Lake is a world attraction for everyone. Ado Awaye is the centre of Oyo State as discovered during the regime of Gen. David Jemibewon (rtd.). We thank the government and the governor for promoting Ado Awaye and promise that we will continue to support government programmes and activities,” the monarch said.
Also speaking, the Caretaker Chairman of Araromi LCDA, Barrister Eyitayo Olakunle, assured visitors and tourism stakeholders that the council would continue working to make the community conducive and hospitable for tourists.
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