Ondo Partners La Campagne Tropicana for Tourism

Justina Uzo

The Ondo State government is seeking to improve its non-oil revenues through the tourism sector, which has strong links to economic growth. As a result, it has gone into partnership with Wanle Akinboboye’s La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort.

This partnership is coming on the heels of a recent successful Asun Carnival staged in Ondo Town by Akinboboye and his team. The carnival has now been adopted as an annual event by the people of Ondo Town.

Akinboboye remarked: “As you are aware, our glorious state is filled with many natural attractions. These attractions include an expanse of coastline of sandy beaches, countless mountains, rivers and the famous Idanre Hills where mountains came to host a conference and then refused to leave. Ondo State also has a rich cultural heritage that embraces unique music and dance.

“Our state must harness her natural features, culture and talents to create and operate a tourism and entertainment industry that focuses on showcasing the best of Ondo State’s culture and natural features while creating wealth and hope for our youths.”
He also stressed that the new effort is coming as Ondo is experiencing a cultural tourism boom amid the pandemic.

Akinboboye pointed out that his meeting with the
Ondo State governor last week to hatch a blueprint was productive.
Akeredolu remarked after the meeting: “We want to realise our dream for the development of the Ondo tourism and entertainment industry. We have entered into a strategic alliance with a private sector practitioner, Otunba (Dr.) Wanle Akinboboye, founder of La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, who is also a son of the soil from Ondo Town,” the governor declared.

‘‘Otunba Akinboboye has been in the tourism industry for over three decades and has shown his mettle via the creation of his flagship resort in Ikegun Village in Lagos State. He was also involved in the initial creation of the Mare Festival and recently the Asun Carnival launched by Destination Ondo, an initiative created by him this month for his town and by extension, our state.

‘‘We believe that with this partnership, our expectation for tourism and entertainment development will be realised and our Sunshine State will once again set the pace in finding unique and creative solution to our challenges as a people. We believe that the employment generated by the type of tourism industry we envisage for our state will provide opportunities for all. This is because it does not focus solely on educational achievements. Rather it embraces an understanding of our culture, the ability to showcase our music and dance and a willingness to display our pride in the talents and heritage of our great people.’’

The governor has moved swiftly to enhance the operating environment. So far, the state government has listed the tourist attractions of the state that they want to put on the global travel map.
A part of the government’s commitment to the tourism is the creation of atmosphere for peace and security to thrive in the state through empowering a security outfit for the state known as Amotekun.

The Ondo State governor said: ‘‘In Nigeria today, key issues that require intense focus by government are security and youth engagement, employment and empowerment. It was with this in mind that the Ondo State government, under my leadership, established and is operating the Amotekun Security Force which has introduced and maintains a security network that leverages the security skills of our people to assist in making Ondo State a more secure state.

‘‘With this initiative, our government is also focusing on job creation and youth empowerment. In this regard, we are aware that the major part of the security challenges in Nigeria arises from the disenfranchisement felt by millions of our youths who are unable to find gainful employment to generate the income they require to cater for their basic needs and the dreams to which they are entitled to.”

Akinboboye added: The Ondo State governor is calling on the people of the state to take a ride with him on the Destination Ondo’s tourism bus. I would also encourage others from Ondo State who have made their marks in their various areas of endeavours to lend their support to the development of our great state and people, so that they can be proud, not only of where they are now, but also of where they originated from.”