20th AKWAABA: Ekiti takes centre stage to market educational tourism
By Taiye Olayemi
Mr Wale Ojo-Lanre, Director-General, Ekiti State Tourism Bureau, has underscored the potential of education tourism in the state.
Ojo-Lanre said this on Monday during the ongoing 20th edition of AKWAABA African Travel and Tourism Market, in Lagos.
He called on tourists, particularly Africans, to make the state their tourism destination.
According to him, Ekiti state is not only known as the fountain of knowledge, but also as embodiment of huge potential for educational tourism.
Ojo-Lanre said the state was not only endowed with natural attractions for tourists but also has the highest number of professors and experts cut across various fields of human endeavour.
“I am happy to be here because AKWAABA is the biggest platform to market tourism in the whole of West Africa.
“We, in Ekiti, are here courtesy of Gov. Biodun Oyebanji to sell Ekiti, not only as a pounded yam hotspot but also as a state that produces the highest number of professors in Nigeria.
“Ekiti is known as the most educated state in Nigeria.
“We are here to market the state as the intellectual base of Nigeria. We are about 3.9million in population, we have over six universities, four polytechnics, three technical colleges and several other academic institutes.
“One of the best private universities in Nigeria, Afe Babalola University, located in Ekiti, also accomodates one of the best hospitals in Nigeria, which tells of our medical tourism endowment.
“So, visiting Ekiti is not just to explore the Ikogosi warm spring, the palmtree with 42 heads.
“We want our educational tourism to be brought to the fore, that is the reason we are dressed in different academic attires to replicate what tourists can see in the state,” he said.
Ojo-Lanre explained that the goals of the bureau was to increase tourists’ arrivals to the state, enhance visitors’ satisfaction, promote sustainable tourism practises as well as foster collaboration among tourism players.
He assured investors and tourists of a conducive environment for business transactions and to unwind.
He said that the Ekiti State International Cargo Airport will be functional from December, to further enhance the ease of doing business.
“You should be assured that when you come to invest in Ekiti, you will not be over taxed, be assured of gaining access to land and other neccessities.
“We are hospitable, friendly and trustworthy, you won’t be defrauded.
