The Government of Osun Tuesday evening received a new design of the road networks inside the popular historic Kiriji War site in the state as it moves to upgrade the site to a world class tourist attraction.
Governor Rauf Aregbesola said the current global economic situation is a constant reminder on the need for massive diversifications while looking beyond crude oil revenues.
Aregbesola stated this while hosting engineers who came to present to him the Design of Kiriji War Site Road Networks in Igbajo and Imesi-Ile respectively.
Describing Kiriji War site as significant historic site for all Yoruba race, said his government would do all it could to position the site to a world class recreation centre.
Aregbesola likened the Kiriji War site to what he described as a cultural repository, stressing that his government would not hesitate to invest in bringing back to life, the Yoruba socio-cultural and ethnical legacies.
The Governor explained that tourism as a lucrative sector has limitless number of potentials to boost the state’s Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, and as well place the state on a viable position.
Aregbesola said the time has come to promote tourism as a realistic means to revenues from Federation Accounts, reiterating that no stone would be left unturned to ensure its total realization.
He recounted his laudable achievements since assumption of office, saying his government has regurgitated the untapped potentials of tourism, which he said has witnessed tremendous changes.
Aregbesola commended the committee for coming up with such brilliant idea, which he described as laudable initiative, saying the essence is not only to jerk up the state’s economic values, but to improve the cultural heritage of the Yoruba race.
He charged the state Ministry of Home Affairs, Tourism and Culture to facilitate the project, promising that his government would ensure all round revival of the historic Kiriji War site to attract the deserved economic values.
“I am fully impressed on this well-thought out proposal to improve our cultural heritage. Though our government has been very undaunted, resilient and steadfast in rehabilitating, enhancing and improving the tourism sector, but nevertheless, much still need to be done to ensure that all the tourist sites in the state are revamped for the betterment of our people.
“Although implementing a project like this takes much in terms of resources and timing that cannot be completed or finished in a short period, but notwithstanding, we will commit necessary human and material resources to ensure that the good gestures are realized.
“Our government is highly interested in initiating some things that will show that Kiriji is not an ordinary site to Yoruba person, but rather an historic site that creates importance and significance particularly on our unity, our commitment to peace, progress and development.
“We will do this so as to continuously promoting our cultural heritage for future generations.” he said
To achieve this, Governor Aregbesola charged the Ministry of Home Affairs, Tourism and Culture, to commence the process for comprehensive research that will enhance and facilitate the smooth implementation of the proposed projects.
He called for deep research into all aspects of the Kiriji War which he was optimistic would enhance the seamless execution of the project.
He added, “This is a good demonstration of social responsibility. I thank the initiator and those who brought this wonderful initiative to limelight and we assure you of fruitful partnership,” he stated.
Governor Aregbesola who urged members of Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE, to always show concern towards the socio-economic and infrastructural welfare of the people said, there is the need for them to partner with government for general growth and development.
He said, “As an engineering association, I want you to do more than this because there are some engineering solutions that ought to be recommended for government for better improvement of the society and general wellbeing of the masses.
“You must be part of progress in giving recommendations that would improve the condition of our roads and thereby prevent the avoidable accident and destruction to the lives of the people in the community.
“Always help government to solve problems that confront society. Try to let people and government know that you care about their welfare by either quickly drawing their attention before such development becomes a threat or danger to life or even in preventing the development.
“Let your method of showing concern about the welfare of the people be totally improved in finding solutions to society and community challenges.”
He therefore assured members of the Nigerian Society of Engineers of his government’s support, adding he would personally do all necessary things to revamp the site for general wellbeing.
He added, “We will partner with you once the Ministry of Home Affairs, Tourism and Culture gets through with other aspects of the projects.
“Once necessary researches and findings are done, we shall look for how to implement your infrastructural proposal to make the site a memorable recreation centre that will attract visitors around the globe.
Earlier, the Chairman, Committee on the Design of Kiriji Road Networks, Engineer David Sola Oni, commended the state government for living up to its responsibilities in spite of the nation’s dwindling revenues.
Oni, who described the achievements recorded in the last five years by the current government as inestimable said Aregbesola has exhibited his rare passion in all aspects of development.
He extolled the significant successes and memorable legacies which he said the present government had successfully made, assuring Governor Aregbesola of utmost commitment to the successful actualization of the projects.
Oni who gave a comprehensive background on the report that produced the map of Kiriji War site at Igbajo and Imesi-Ile, said the war site had farmlands, and various war relics such as spear bullets and other weapons used during the civil war.
He elucidated that the site was the location of war treaty signing in September 23, 1886 between Ibadan and its affiliates and Ekiti Parapo and its affiliates.
He assured that an extensive research had been done on the site, saying the time has come to revive the history and turn the site to a place to be in the world.
He buttressed his point with scientific analyses where the war locations were technically revealed and analyzed.
According to him, “The war locations include: Aga-Ogedengbe, a stone seat of Ogedengbe and Latoosa’s camp at Igbajo.
“Others are; Okuta Orunorunga, Latoosa stool, Fejeboju Stream, Latoosa Groove and the Peace Treaty site,” he stated.
Engineer Oni therefore urged the state government to urgently expedite action on implementation.
He disclosed that about 5 killometers of roads network would be constructed across the War site, saying adequate implementation of infrastructures around the site would go a long way in positioning it to be a vantage place.
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