We ‘ll support turning Igbo Eledumare to tourist site’

By Adekola Afolabi
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Ondo State government said it is ready to give necessary support to any individual or corporate bodies interested in turning the Igbo Eledumare at Okeigbo in Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo Local Government area of the state, to a tourist site.

 The state governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredoluwho disclosed this when the D.O Fagunwa Study Group visited him in his office to intimate him of their forthcoming international conference, added that tourist site would not only boost the economy of the state but also keeps the work of the late author alive for future generation.

The governor particularly stressed that Yoruba race is lucky to have the duo of Professor Wole Soyinka and the late D. O Fagunwa whose works have projected the image of the Yoruba people to the global audience.

 The conference which is scheduled to hold in Akure next month has as its theme: “Wole Soyinka, D. O Fagunwa and the Yoruba Artistic Heritage.”

It is in a bid to promote the Yoruba culture that the group is organising an international conference to celebrate late Chief Daniel Olorunfemi Fagunwa and Professor Wole Soyinka who are from the Yoruba race and have made impacts and showcased the country to the outside world.

He said the state government is ready to give total support to any individual or corporate bodies interested in turning  Igbo Eledumare at Okeigbo into a tourist centre.

The governor, who noted that developing Igbo Eledumare to a world class tourist centre has been a challenge to the government, stressed that the state would not hesitate to encourage individuals or corporate organisations to develop the place.

Akeredolu commended the group for their efforts at sustaining the legacies of the two great icons, adding that it is indeed a pride to have Late Baba Fagunwa and Wole Soyinka from the Yoruba race.

The leader of the group, Professor Tunde Babawale appreciated the governor for always assisting the group especially with the recent launch of a compilation of books written by the late author from Ondo state.

While informing the governor of their plans for the four-day international conference that would attract dignitaries from within and around the globe, also appealed to the governor to give active support to the success of the conference which would further give room for those in the global community to see the various achievements of the governor.