AYANGBUREN SEEKS LASG SUPPORT TO BUILD TOURISM INFRASTRUCTURE IN IKORODU

The Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Shotobi, has appealed to the Lagos State Government to assist in building infrastructure that could boost tourism in Ikorodu town.
 
Oba Shotobi made the appeal when the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, visited his palace as part of the three-day “bestoflagosfamtour22” organised by the Ministry to familiarise operators with tourist sites within the five divisions of Lagos.
 
The traditional ruler said that the town lacked the needed fund to put such infrastructure in place, even though Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had given the approval to build chalets, maintaining that Ikorodu needs to also have recreation parks and hotels due to the limited number of such tourist attractions in the community.
  
“Please, we seek your assistance to build chalets, recreation centres, five-star hotels and other infrastructure that can attract tourists to the Ikorodu community. We have the land already and we will give every support needed on our part, and you know that this will also create employment opportunities for our youths”, the Royal Father said.
 
The Ayangburen urged his local chiefs to support the government through the provision of land in their various jurisdictions, adding that plans are underway to build tourist waterfront and recreation centres on a 12-hectare piece of land along the lagoon front.
 
He informed that the community also has plans to build an amphitheatre, where cultural displays can take place and masquerades can perform to the delight of tourists.
 
His words: “We don’t want to be only known for our festivals but for all forms of tourism. When we are done with these tourism infrastructures, we will calendarise our tourism activities so that tourists can plan their time to visit Ikorodu during the tourist activity of their choice.”
 
The traditional ruler allayed the usual fear during the annual Oro festival, saying that the community had made arrangements to always conduct the exercise in some restricted areas to aid tourism.
 
In her remarks, Mrs. Akinbile-Yusuf appreciated the traditional ruler for his hospitality and warm welcome, promising to look into his request for support.
 
Earlier, the Commissioner and her team were welcomed to Ikorodu with an array of traditional dances, displays that included the Eyo dance and the showcase of different artefacts that left members of the delegation in awe.
 
Some of the sites previously visited during the three-day tour include Freedom Park, Afrika Shrine, Vlekete Slave Market, Lagos Theatre in Epe and Badagry, Nike Art Gallery, Ikeja and Oshodi bus terminals, among others.