Osun is safe for tourism investment, Opesina assures Investors

 Sunday Okunade, Osogbo 

The Senior Special Assistant to Osun Governor on Culture and Tourism, Raimi Opesina has assured  tourists' investors that Osun is safe for investment.

The SSA to the Governor made this assertion in Osogbo, the State Capital, during an exclusive interview with newsmen.

He noted that Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, upon assumption of Office, in the year 2018, said he would build the economy of the State round three major sectors, including Culture and Tourism. He further mentained that the most important sector in Osun today is Culture and Tourism.

He also asserted that Osun could be adjudged the best, in the whole world in culture and tourism sector. Opesina further explained, "Today, we can promote Culture and Tourism with what we have. People in the diaspora love Yoruba Culture, most especially the blacks. The black people originated from Ile-Ife which is regarded as the cradle of the black race and this is why the blacks could trace their source to Ile-Ife.

" Yoruba Culture is superior to any other Culture in terms of respect, moral training, descent dressing, prudency and adequate security of its borders. In the olden days, our fathers knew how to secure their territory without any infringement whatsoever. It was when the white people (foreigners) came into Yoruba land that they disorganized us. In those days, the Traditional Rulers were like President of a Country, while the Chiefs were like parliamentarians. It was when the colonialists came that we were disorganized through the introduction of foreign Culture and tradition, because, they knew that if we remain united, we may later come back to rule the world.

 What is the State Government doing to promote Culture in Osun?

Governor Adegboyega Oyetola is indeed promoting Culture in Osun. He has given the locally made fabrics also known as "Adire Osun" a facelift which necessitated the establishment of "Adire Osun Market" which will enable those who deal in the business to sell their products and thereby boost the economy of the State.

 When is Adire Osun  Market likely to kick start?

Thank you so much, it will start soon. Government has allocated land for it. I want to assure you that any moment from now, the project will commence because Mr Governor is so much interested in it.

 What is the level of Tourism development in Osun State today?

There is no part of Osun that doesn't have at least one Cultural heritage or the other, which is very viable to tourism activities. Government has already enumerated some and we still have many that are yet to be tapped like mountains, rivers and so on. It is only that we need Investors to partner with the Government to develop all these sites.

On the issue of tourists sites in Osun, we all know that Nigeria is battling with security challenge and this is also affecting tourism development in Osun State. Although, we don't have security issue in the State but  foreigners don't want to believe that Osun is peaceful, they believe that no place is secured or safe in Nigeria. Everybody knows that Osun is the most peaceful State in Nigeria, no report of kidnapping, banditry, killings and so on because the current Governor doesn't joke with the security of lives and property of the citizenry. Had it been that there is no security issue in the Country, we would have achieved more than we have achieved so far in the area of tourism development.

 As the SSA to the Governor on Culture Tourism, what are your plans to ensure that Culture and Tourism are well promoted in the State?

There are programmes on ground already, we have started some while some are still on the waiting list of resources to facilitate them. When we came on board, it was discovered that what we had been hearing about Culture and Tourism development was not real. However, we have developed a master plan which will enable the Investors that are coming to know what we want. We have provided enabling and conducive environment for the Investors, the government has its own part while the Investors also have their own roles to play. 

Based on the security challenge that is facing the Country which is also affecting tourism promotion in Osun, how can you assure the Investors, especially the foreigners that Osun is peaceful?

I received some guests from USA about few days ago, I deliberately left them to walk around the town without being guarded by security personnel so that they could give me report of their experiences if there is any form of harassment, kidnapping or terrorism like they have been hearing or reading in the media and at the end, they gave me positive feedback. I want to tell you that, it is not everything you watch or read in the media that reflect the true picture of what is happening in Nigeria.

In Osun State, we don't have negative record of security issue and if you hear any, they are just political and not real. Thank God that President Mohamodu Buhari has gotten it right because presently, there is no record of attack or insurgency like we normally had in the past. Our security agents are working tirelessly to nip in the bud the security challenges in the Country. Borno, Kaduna, Niger- Delta and other parts of the Country are now enjoying peace because, the security challenges have have been reduced to the bearest minimum. I believe very soon, we will get over it.

Therefore, I want to advise both local and foreign Investors to come and partner with Osun State  in the area of tourism development. I want to assure you that Osun is peaceful, safe for investment and other economic benefits because, Governor Adegboyega Oyetola  doesn't take the security of the people with levity.