Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, has declared that the state is well on course with its commitment to expanding its economy through tourism, noting that tourism remains a key cornerstone in the administration?s economic strategy.

This was as the governor maintained that the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, Alakia, Ibadan, would receive a wide-bodied aircraft before the end of the year, signalling its upgrade as an international airport.

The governor stated this on Saturday, at the commissioning of the Kunle Afolayan Productions? Film Village and Resort, Igbojaye, adding that setting up the village in the state is a significant achievement for the state and a proof that the government?s decision to focus on tourism has begun to pay off.

Makinde congratulated Kunle Afolayan on the project, adding that the state government would do everything within its means to ensure the project thrives.

He directed the Itesiwaju Local Government to commence immediate processes to fix the Okaka-Igbojaye Road leading to the film village, while also adding 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, noting that the state is open to any business that could add value to it.

He said: ?What a remarkable feat this is for my brother, Kunle Afolayan, the visionary whose project has brought us all together.

?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.

?I was explaining to the Minister of Creative Arts and Tourism, that in my first tenure, I put together a Roadmap for Accelerated Development, 2019-2023 which stood on four pillars of education, health, security and expansion of our economy through infrastructure development and agribusiness.

?When the people gave me the opportunity to come back for a second term, we produced another document known as the Roadmap for the Sustainable Development of Oyo State, 2023-2027 and we added tourism and solid minerals development as part of the channels through which we want to expand the state?s economy.

?So, 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.

?As a government, we remain committed 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.

?Also, we are committed to rehabilitating the road leading here to ease access and improve connectivity.

?Thankfully, an international airport is being set up in Ibadan and the airside should be ready around October or November this year. We will receive a wide-bodied aircraft in Ibadan Airport around that time.

?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.

?Let me reaffirm today that tourism remains a cornerstone of our economic strategy in Oyo State and because of our 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.?

Those in the entourage of the governor included the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun; Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade; Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Miss Wasilat Adegoke; Senior Executive Assistant to the Governor, Chief Bayo Lawal; Special Adviser on Security, COMPOL Fatai Owoseni (rtd) and the Director-General of the Oyo State Investment Promotion Agency (OYSIPA), Mr Tilewa Folami. (Oyoinsight)

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