Nigeria Can Use Tourism To Drive Socioeconomic Growth & National Unity – Says Senator Adeola 

The Distinguished Lawmaker representing Ogun West Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, otherwise known as Yayi, has disclosed how Nigeria as a nation can use tourism to enhance socioeconomic growth and national unity.

According to the Senator, tourism can serve as a catalyst not only for economic development but enhance promotion of a desired unity of the country, if properly packaged and harnessed.

Adeola, who stated this at the Grand Finale of the 32nd Oronna Ilaro Festival held in Ilaro, Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State, at the weekend, expressed optimism that more investment in the tourism and creative industry will boost the local economy and attract foreign investors.

While affirming that Oronna Ilaro Festival has become a harbinger of unity and cooperation among the people of Ilaro and its environs, he declared that he remained an enthusiast of the culture in its various forms, particularly when it encourages tourism development and ultimately socio economic development.

“Let me place it on record that in all ways possible I am an enthusiast of our culture in its various forms particularly when it encourages tourism development and ultimately socio economic development as this tourism festival of Oronna, the legendary and mythological warrior hero of Ilaro, has turned out to be, particularly in its recent editions.”

“I have no doubt that when properly harnessed and packaged, aspects of our culture are catalysts to community economic development as well as promotion of a desired unity”, he noted.

The Senator however, praised Governor Dapo Abiodun’s support for tourism development in Ogun State, especially the Oronna Ilaro Festival, which according to him has grown in terms of size and attendance over the years.

He added that the governor’s efforts in promoting festivals in the state has contributed to the holistic development of Ogun.

On his scorecard as a Senator, Adeola, who is also the Senate Committee Chairman on Appropriations, said he had facilitated and completed over 300 infrastructure projects, such as road construction, healthcare, education, and security.

He equally highlighted his role in facilitating the upgrade of the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, to a Federal University of Technology, adding that he had fulfilled his pledge to turn Ogun West into a “small London”.

The Senator reiterated his commitment to continuing to work with Governor Abiodun to develop Ogun State and support the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“Let me salute our dear governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun for his support for tourism development through promotion of different festivals in the state including Oronna Ilaro Festival.

“In the primary areas of security, your programmes in support of the security agencies has led to a violence- free- state and drastic reduction in criminal activities. You stand commended, Your Excellency, for your construction projects in the area of roads, hospitals and educational institutions across the state with a flagship project in the area of aviation through the construction and commissioning of the Gateway Cargo Airport at Iperu.

“In this senatorial district many laudable works stand to your credit like the work on Ilaro General Hospital nearby, the Owode- Idiroko Road, the llaro-Owode Road and many others which portray you as a non-sectional governor with the interest of all Ogun State at heart. My heartfelt prayer for you always is for God Almighty to be your strength, your guide and counselor in all that you do. There is no doubt that your policies and programmes are complimentary of that of the Renew Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the federal level.

“On my part, I have attracted development projects to complement the good work of the governor in the state in my senatorial district and beyond in the area of road construction, health care, educational institutions, security and empowerment. In over two years, I have facilitated the completion of about 300 infrastructure projects.

“These include over 115 road construction projects, construction of 30 School buildings, 32 Primary Health Care Centres, 25 modern markets, 13 Town Halls, 10 ICT Centres, 2 Intensive Care Units, 2 Libraries and 8 Police Stations. Other facilitated projects include donation and installation of over 200 Electric Transformers, 250 Solar Street Light Projects of some 26,000 poles and personal commitment to repair and upgrade 10 major electric infrastructures affecting about 100 communities in perennial and months-long blackout in Ogun West and Beyond”. Adeola submitted.

In his address, Governor Abiodun described the festival as a symbol of courage, heritage, unity, and the enduring spirit of a people.

Represented by his deputy, Mrs Noimot Salako-Oyedele, the governor added that Ilaro occupies a special place, not only in Yewaland but within the broader development architecture of the incumbent administration.

He stressed that the ancient town is blessed with ancient history and vibrant cultural heritage and has remained a commanding gateway for socio-economic transformation.

The governor further stated that Oronna Ilaro Festival is not merely cultural displays, but a reminder that unity, peace, and collaboration remain the bedrock of sustainable development.

The Minister of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy, Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa, said the celebration of the annual festival has further reinforced Ogun as home to world-class festivals.

She lauded the organizers of the Oronna Ilaro Festival for showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Ilaro to the world, adding her ministry would continue to collaborate with Ogun State in the promotion of tourism potential and culture within the country and beyond.

The Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, who led National Assembly members to the event, noted that celebration of the festival has become a fulcrum to promote unity and self-help development among the people.

He emphasized that tourism is an important part of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, adding “it forms part of the development agenda of the Creative Industry under the Ministry of Art. Culture and the Creative Economy.

Senator Jibrin said that the Minister in charge of Art. Culture and the Creative Economy launched a $100billion Creative Economy Growth Plan two months ago, assuring that “when the plan is fully implemented, it will incorporate tourism festivals like Oronna as a means of growing the GDP of the nation”.