Royal father moves to boost tourism in ancient city

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, in a bid to boost tourism, has announced the construction of a watch tower in the city.

According to Punch, he recently declared the city a tourism zone.

Speaking to newsmen, the owner of La Campaigne Tropicana, Chief Wanle Adeboboye said “Oba Ogunwusi has, from the first day of assumption of office, not hidden his resolve to elevate the historical and abundant cultural wealth of his people by opening it to the world through massive investment in tourism-related projects, which are aimed at transforming Ife from a mere tourism attraction to amega tourism destination.

“To this end, the Kabiyesi will declare Ife a tourism zone and start the development into a tourism destination of world class standard. He has concluded plans to build a N7.6bn Ife Grand Resort.”

The royal father also announced that he will build a N7.6 billion Ife Grand Resort.

Oba Ogunwusi also, in a bid to settle the Ife, Modakeke crisis, attended the Modakeke Day celebration, where he announced the employment of 20, 000 widows from the over 40, 000 widows recorded in the last crisis to work in the tourism zone project with a promise to absolve the remaining 20, 000 widows.

The Ooni also made history, when he visited the the Alaafin Of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi during his 45th coronation anniversary on the throne.

Read: Chaos in Ile-Ife over selection of Ooni’s deputy

Reports say it is the first time an Ooni of Ife would visit the Alaafin of Oyo in 79 years; the last time such a visit happened was in 1937.