Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams has urged Federal and state governments to explore the tourism potentials of the country, saying that it is time to do so having become a gold mine that has enduring prospects across the world.
Iba Adams made the call on Tuesday while speaking at the 2024 Edition of Ifa Festival, which took place at Cele Pipeline, Ogunlowo Alagboole, Ogun State, saying that tourism development is an everlasting treasure that would endure for a very long time if well managed.
The Yoruba generalissimo, while making the call, observed that it was interesting that the global community is shifting their attention to promoting the tourism sector and building global class tourism destinations, even as he noted that the paradigm is changing, with tourism now “spreading and extending the horizons from religious tourism to Medical, Sports, Agriculture, Cultural and Conference tourism.”
“Tourism is beyond religion. It is a global phenomenon that has helped in creating a new world. And nobody is left behind in recreating the new world.
“Prominent countries in the world spend fortunes in creating the needed environment for peace and tranquility.
“Wherever you go in the world, there are qualitative, global, and standard International Conference Centres that attract global audiences and enhance tourism.
“International Conference Centres are facilities that bring about the best avenue for global meetings and discussions. Many of the International Conference Centres usually have standard hotels that are very close to the facilities and at relatively reasonable prices.
“In South Africa for instance, there are International Conference Centres with 5-star Hotel facilities that are between 150 and 200 dollars,” he stated.
Iba Adams, however, said sadly that Nigeria was still far behind in providing the same facilities as available across the world, noting that those that were available were at high cost due largely to inadequate power supply, and low rate of naira to dollar, among others.
“Many of the Hotels and recreational facilities in Nigeria are groaning in pain of lack of electricity as well as high tariffs.
“On the other hand, insecurity has affected the image of Nigeria in the global community and this has also affected the tourism sector.
“These factors, among others, have greatly affected the tourism sector across the country and Nigeria is finding it very difficult to explore the tourism potentials of the country,” he said.
He, therefore, called on the Federal Government to reduce electricity tariffs, and the cost of running businesses in Nigeria, especially businesses that involve tourism, like hotels, and other recreational facilities, hospitals, and medical facilities, declaring that no business can thrive amidst what he described as high and cut- throating tariffs placed on the business.
“On this note, I will urge the Federal Government to reduce electricity tariffs and the cost of running
business in Nigeria, especially businesses that involve tourism, like hotels, and other recreational facilities, hospitals, and medical facilities.
“No business can thrive when there are high and cut-throating tariffs placed on the business.
“We need to create an enabling environment for tourism business to grow and prosper in Nigeria.
“Tourism is the new world and the prospects are endless for interrelations and global reckoning.
“Africa is a very unique continent. And Nigeria can take its pride of place as the most populous nation in Africa.
“Our ability to take the centre stage and drive the tourism sector is a major challenge that must be addressed.
“Now is the time for us to lead the crusade by seeking global attention through tourism development,” the Yoruba generalissimo stated.
On Ifa Festival, Iba Adams described it as a unique divination system and a foremost content of Yoruba and African religion that represents the teachings of Ọrunmila, saying that it is supernatural and very deep in the spiritual realm as it creates the spiritual connection between man and almighty God.
According to him, Ifa divination reveals the spiritual journey of mankind and the mystery of one’s being, saying that consulting Ifa divination, offered “an opportunity for us to know our destinies and the journey of our lives as well as offering solutions to problems facing humanity generally.
Adams, however, said it was imperative to address the issues that had been affecting practitioners of the traditional religions, the believers as well as the non-believers, urging for bridging a gap between them to bring about unity and collaboration for “a strong synergy.”
The Yoruba generalissimo said they must begin to see themselves as one big family, even as he urged for a big platform that “will bring all the practitioners and believers of the traditional religion together as it is done with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Supreme Islamic Council headed by the Sultan of Sokoto.”
He decried the idea of having Oke-Itase in Ile Ife, which is the main root of Ifa Olokun Asorodayo, elerin Ipin, and another one in Ado-Ekiti, saying that such was not too good for Yoruba land and the Ifa practitioners.
“We all know that Ile-Ife is the cradle of Yoruba and the truth is that it is the root of our race.
“Whatever progress or development coming from other states must have a great semblance with our identity as a people of humble origin and race.
“Factionalization among Yoruba groups and religious institutions is not too good for our progress.
It has taken us backward and also affected the progress of our race and is still affecting us till date,” he cautioned.
“As the Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, I seek unity of the traditional religion worshippers, the Muslims, and Christians. I seek peace across the board. The traditionalists and the believers in the traditional religion must unite and forge a common front.
“They should repackage the system of their practices and set up a new leadership hierarchy by inviting educated people and professionals to lead and also be part of the leadership structure.
“There is progress and development wherever there are educated people having stakes in the running of the affairs of an organization.
“This is very important and key to the transition and transformation of the traditional religion institution,” he stated.
The event witnessed cultural dances and displays by various groups.
Guests at Ifa Festival were: Alakute of Akute Kingdom, Oba Akindele Aliu Isiwu; the Irinbakin of Ipetu Ijesha, Osun State, Iba Waheed Ajibola Sadiku; the Alagboole, Oba Mutiu Shitu was represented by Chief Amuda Yusuf; the Yeyeshewa of Badagry Kingdom, Chief (Mrs) Titi Hassan, among others.
The guest Speaker was Chief Awodiran Agboola, who is also the Araba of Oworonshoki.
Nine members of Aare in Council, members of National Executive Council (NEC), and National Coordinating Council (NCC) of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) were also in attendance.
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