Aregbesola, Fayemi, Others Win Sustainable Tourism Awards, Netherlands - TRIBUNE

FOUR eminent Nigerians who have distinguished themselves proficiently at planting projects and policies which have contributed to the enhancement and aided sustainable tourism development have emerged as winners of Sustainable Tourism Award, in Amsterdam, Holland. Dr Kayode Fayemi, Governor of Ekiti State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Governor of the State of Osun, Mr Jide Adeniji, Chairman FERMA and Hon Abass Ayodeji Aleshinloye, Chairman, Oluyole Local Government Ibadan, Oyo State have been found worthy and diligent at contributing immensely to sustainable tourism development in their duty posts. According to a release made available by the Chairman, Odua Progressive Union, Netherlands, Akogun Banji Ojo, “these four eminent Odua products have distinguished themselves by their acts of adding value to their communities with their exceptional policies and projects as regards to environment, tourism development and transportation. Hence we have singled them out for Sustainable Tourism Awards which will take place in Amsterdam on Saturday, September 14, 2013.” He revealed that each of these men of honour has done well in their respective posts, which earned them the Award of Excellence from all Odua indigenes living in the Netherlands. Akogun Ojo revealed that the ceremony would be superintended by Otunba Gani Adams, National Cordinator, Odua People’s Congress, (OPC) in the presence of notable royal fathers from Yoruba land. He said, “We are proud of these four Yoruba indigenes. “They have registered their names in the Odua People’s Congress Book of Honour and in the hearts of all Yoruba indigenes for adding value to Yoruba race.” Akogun Ojo further revealed, “The nomination for the award was done in line with the International Ethics and standard which stipulates that a recipient must have been found qualified in verifiable and provable acts which add value to the community and portend the capacity or enhancing quality of living and luring people to the community.”

He pointed out that “we are proud to announce that these four distinguished Yoruba have satisfied this provision eminently well.” Akogun Ojo noted that “Nobody can deny the fact that Governor Kayode Fayemi has done what none of his predecessors could do in terms of enhancement of the status of Ikogosi Cold and Warm Spring enclave, in Ikogosi, Ekiti State. “This is the only site in the world where cold and warm spring exists side by side. Gov Fayemi has been able to turn this once parlous site to a world class tourism centre. “We are proud of him. He has also commenced work on Arinta Waterfall located in Ipole Iloro. This is a man with vision.” He pointed out that “Or could anyone deny Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola of his agrarian commitment to environmental enhancement of Osun State? At least it is the only state apart from Lagos where you will notice that there is a conscious effort by the government to make an entry to the state alluring, beautiful and presentable. It is there for all to see that the State of Osun is alive environmentally as you drive into the border line of the state at Asejire River. You cannot deny this. It is real and beautiful. “This is to compliment his OYES programme particularly, the Igi Iye Project which has earned the state to be listed among the Global Environment Promoter States. Or should anyone forget quickly his Flood Prevention Projects which has successfully put paid to the ravaging activities of flood in Alekuwodo and other hitherto flood prone zones in the state? When it comes to environmental enhancement and reinforcement, Ogbeni deserves an outstanding award and we are decorating him this Saturday.” Akogun Ojo disclosed that “We also found out a young man, Abass Ayodeji Aleshinloye, Chairman, Oluyole Local Government who has stepped up his environmental enhancement strategy and activities. This young man in perfect regard to the directive of his state governor has been consistent at raising preventive measures which have saved the local government from flood havoc this year. the local government under his leadership has dredged many rivers, planted several trees and channelled many streams. Such a young purposeful man needs to be encouraged. Thus, all Odua products in the Netherlands are proud of him and we are decorating him as well.” He also revealed that “We have fished out one of the noblest Yoruba, a very distinguished engineer who is very quiet but sound, solid and dutifully responsible. Dr Jide Adeniji, the Chairman, Federal Emergency Road Maintaince Agency (FERMA). He has made indelible mark in every duty posts he ever held. Since he assumed office in FERMA, he has been more proactive and alive at fixing notable parlous road bearing in mind that no good road, no tourism. We are proud of him and thus earned an award of Excellence in Proactive Strategy.” Akogun Ojo lauded Otunba Gani Adams on his vision and “steadfast focus of ensuring that worthy Yoruba indigenes were selected and fished out for the Award.”