By Dayo Johnson, Akure

The lawmaker, representing Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency, Ondo State, Hon. Festus Akingbaso, has called on both the state and the federal government to develop the tourism potential of Idanre Hills in Ondo State.

Akingbaso noted that “the tourism potentials instilled by nature in the Idanre community in Idanre Local Government area of Ondo State were capable of transforming the fortune of the state if fully utilised.

He said this weekend, while giving the account of his stewardship to his constituency at the palace of the traditional ruler, the Owa Idanre, Oba Fredrick Aroloye.

The lawmaker urged the stakeholders to develop tourist centres in the state to generate revenue for the government and create employment opportunities.

According to him, ” Idanre Hills named as UNESCO Heritage Centre could generate enough revenue for both the state and the federal government if needed infrastructure was put into place.

He said, “You will see a lot of artifacts in Idanre Hills and you will be amazed. There is no place you can see these in Nigeria.

“There are many ways that Idanre Hills can be developed: This tourism is of prime importance to us. It can be developed if we put a good infrastructure base in place. There should be a good road network to the community and an adequate power supply to harness the benefits of tourism fully.

“I am liasing with federal government agencies particularly the National Tourism Board and show them what we have and what they can do for us in a short term and long term basis.

“Idanre is well blessed. We emphasize the issue of tourism because that is a heritage we have here. We as a people in Idanre will prepare a blueprint for tourism.

“We are a world heritage centre but we cannot see the benefit so we will definitely sit down to prepare a policy plan for Idanre community,” he stated.

According to him, he has taken cognizance of culture and tourism as two components that can enhance the development and growth of society.

“We are working hard to make the enlistment processes of Idanre Hills a reality. Immediately after our inauguration, we facilitated a physical joint meeting with Ondo State Government and a meeting is coming up between the state government, the Federal Ministry of Tourism and Culture,the National Commission of Museums and Monument ( NCMM), stakeholders where the grey areas of the enlistment of Idanre Hills as a UNESCO Heritage Centre will be addressed.

Akingbaso, said he had sponsored three different bills, adding that one of the bills was for establishment of the University of Information and Communications Technology in Idanre.

“If the bill were passed and assented to by President Bola Tinubu, it benefits would be enormous to the constituency in particular and the nation at large.

The lawmaker said that he had facilitated job opportunities for some youths at the federal level, stating that he had appointed 100 youths as his aides in different capacities in order to reduce the unemployment rate in the constituency.

He added that market women would continue to be empowered to run their small-scale businesses with the necessary support.

Akingbaso who promised that palliatives would be distributed across the federal constituency, said that he had not received any rice palliatives from the federal government as promised by President Bola Tinubu.

He assured the vulnerable and the indigent of his continued and adequate support to make life bearable for them in the constituency.

Commending the lawmaker, the Owa of Idanre, Oba Fredrick Aroloye,nlauded the lawmaker for not disappointing the federal constituency, adding that he has been a worthy son.

Oba Aroloye enjoined Akingbaso not to relent on his oars, saying that he had been a focus and good example for other politicians to emulate.

Others who commended that lawmakers include a former Chief of Staff to Governor Olusegun Mimiko, Dr. Kola Ademujimi, who said that it was the first time in the constituency to have a representative that would be giving out feedback to the constituency.

Ademujimi said that he has just spent six months, and he is coming back with feedback. From what he has done and said, I think we are satisfied. He has talked about employment and empowerment.

“He has supported some of our youths to get jobs, while he has empowered many in different vocations as well. In terms of infrastructural development, HR has equally tried.

“He did not just start as a member of the House of Representatives; he had been doing something as a private citizen for the community before he got to the National Assembly.

“He has promised us that he will continue to pursue the bill to create an ICT university in the constituency. He has laid a good foundation, and he can build more on it,” he said.

Also, the President of the Idanre Development Assembly( IDA), Dr. Anthony Omolola, said that he was very impressive with his accounts of the stewardship of Hon. Akingbaso in the last six months in the National Assembly.

Omolola stated that the constituency needed to motivate and support the federal lawmaker for him to do more and excel in his legislative duties.

“He has really performed well and we need to give him all the assistance he needs to be able to deliver more on what we have sent him in Idanre/Ifedore Constituency,” he said.

A prominent indigene of the town, Dr Omotayo Dairo, described Akingbaso as a great performer who had been doing credibly well when he was a local council chairman, a member of the state House of Assembly, and since his election into the National Assembly.

“When we chose him to represent us, his campaign in this place was not party-based but as a candidate that could perform and turn things around.

Dairo said, “He has not disappointed. He consults and takes advice, and he will not do anything without recourse to the people. He does not see himself as an encyclopedia. He is somebody. I can assure you that for a long time, he will be a number one politician here.”