Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has named a United Kingdom-based Nigerian solo driver on a road trip from London to Lagos, Ms. Pelumi Nubi, as Lagos Tourism Ambassador.

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Governor Sanwo-Olu also presented a house and a branded LAGRIDE vehicle with the customized number plate NUBI 9JA to the 28-year-old adventurer.

The Governor assured the travel content creator that the Lagos State Government would write off the entire bill for her solo drive from London to Lagos.

Governor Sanwo-Olu made the announcement when Pelumi Nubi, accompanied by her parents, Prof. Timothy and Olubukola; CEO/Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Folashade Ogunsola, among others, paid a courtesy visit at Lagos House, Marina.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji has expressed the readiness of his government to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Tourism to harness and develop untapped tourism potentials of the state and make the state a leading tourism destination in the country.

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Governor Oyebanji revealed this on Monday during the 6th edition of Hike Ekiti Mountain safari which took place at Abanijorin Mountain and cave, in Iyin- Ekiti.

In attendance at the event were the Minister of Tourism, Mrs. Lola Ade-John, Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye; Speaker Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Adeoye Aribasoye; Director General of NIHOTOUR, Alhaji Nura Kangiwa, among others.

The Governor said a properly harnessed tourism industry has the capacity to reshape the economy and improve the revenue base of the state, stressing that the state would leverage on tourism to attract investment, create jobs, boost the local economy and drive the shared prosperity agenda of his administration.

While expressing his gratitude to the Minister for the visit and her commitment to tourism development in the country, the Governor said her commitment speaks to the quality of people working with President Bola Ahmed Timubu to actualize the renewed hope agenda of the President.

Governor Oyebanji revealed that he has charged the state Bureau of Tourism Development to come up with the state’s tourism development master-plan in alignment with the Federal Ministry of Tourism vision to create an enabling environment for the people to prosper.

“I’m so excited that finally, we are giving life to this programme. It started six years ago and I know and am convinced that if we are going to drive our shared prosperity agenda in Ekiti state, tourism is a critical factor in ensuring that we provide job, create wealth and also emplaced a healthy and productive society.

“As a government, we have charged the bureau of tourism development to create a desirable tourism masterplan for the state, because that is what is going to drive our intervention in the tourism sector and we will further collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Tourism by ensuring that we align our own plan with their own so that together we can create an enabling environment for our people to prosper”. The Governor asserted.

Earlier in her remarks, the Minister of Tourism, Mrs. Lola Ade-John, who said the purpose of her visit was to encourage and promote the eco-tourism sector of the state, lauded Governor Oyebanji’s commitment to tourism development, especially the creation of a Bureau of tourism.

She maintained that Governor Oyebanji’s determination to prioritize tourism aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s led federal government’s resolve to boost the nation’s economy through tourism development.

The Minister, who maintained that collaboration among government entities, tourism agencies, business and communities global is crucial for promoting sustainable tourism in the state, assured the Governor that her ministry would continue to support the state government to explore and tap into various beautiful tourist sites in the state in order to preserve the natural heritage for future generations.

She urged the participants to use the opportunity to contribute to the development of tourism in the state as she acknowledged that the future of Ekiti tourism looks promising.

” Collaboration among government entities, tourism agencies, business and communities global is crucial for promoting sustainable tourism in Ekiti state and beyond and as affirmed by the Governor, he is very passionate about tourism and he intends on making tourism in the state as enviable and as an example to other state in Nigeria “. The Minister said.

Meanwhile, the Governor in company of the Minister and her team had earlier visited the palace of the Oluyin of Iyin Ekiti, Oba Adeniyi Ajakaye where they were informed about the various natural endowments in the community as well as the history behind the mountain “Okuta Aba ni Jorin” and solicited government’s support in preserving the cultural heritage.

His Imperial Majesty, Arole Oduduwa Olofin Adimula, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife, has described Otunba Biodun Ajiboye’s commitment to re-enacting cultural values in Nigeria as one that is characterized by vision, diligence and steadfast dedication towards advancing the cultural landscape in the country.

In a letter signed by His Imperial Majesty to felicitate with Otunba Ajiboye on his well-deserved appointment as Executive Secretary/CEO of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), the Ooni of Ife said with Ajiboye’s robust cultural background as a Yoruba High Chief who has invested immensely in the promotion of African culture and traditions, he is confident that the Institute under his watch will reach new heights of significance and impact that will enrich our collective understanding of heritage, tradition and cultural identity.

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The letter reads in part “In the realm of cultural enlightenment and spiritual stewardship, I write on behalf of the Yoruba and entire Oduduwa race globally, to felicitate with you and our race on your appointment as the Executive Secretary of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO)”.

“Your journey to this esteemed position is marked not only by your profound dedication but also by your remarkable versatility across diverse domains.

As a distinguished fellow of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), you have consistently demonstrated your acumen in the intricacies of communication and cultural representation. Your contributions to the field of advertising have not only been noteworthy but also transformative, shaping narratives and perceptions with finesse and creativity”.

“Moreover, your affiliation with the Chartered Institute of Administration stands as a testament to your unwavering pursuit of professional mastery. Through your membership, you have not only expanded your knowledge but also exemplified the values of leadership and integrity that are integral to the Institute’s ethos”.

While expressing gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR for the honour done to the Yoruba race, the Ooni urged Otunba Ajiboye to remain committed to exemplary leadership and unwavering commitment to professional excellence which will make his tenure at NICO to be marked by continued success, innovation and positive transformation.

The new NICO boss holds the traditional title of Otunba Muwagun of Oro Kingdom in Yoruba land.