Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, on Thursday, officially commissioned the newly-built tourism park named after a late former governor of the state, Dr. Victor Omololu Olunloyo.
The governor, represented by his Deputy, Alhaji Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal, speaking at the park on Airport Road, Alakia, Ibadan, said the new leisure park would serve the dual purpose of leisure and preserving the rich cultural heritage of the state.
Governor Makinde stated that the facilities and artifacts at the relaxation park would help both the residents and visitors to learn more about the peculiarity of the state and each of its geo-political zones.
He said the new relaxation park, which sprang out of an abandoned site, was built to immortalise Dr Olunloyo, who he described as a brainy and outstanding personality, for his contributions to the state and Nigeria as a whole.
He said: “We are thankful for the commissioning of this park. Baba Olunloyo was a unique and outstanding being right from his childhood.
He became a commissioner in his 20s and he was always successful in his endeavours. Baba was very brainy and talented; we thank God for the life he led.
“Today, our government is celebrating Baba Olunloyo because of the successes he recorded in his lifetime.
“We recognised that he should be immortalised and we started doing that, even in his lifetime, as we commissioned the over three kilometres dual carriageway that connects the town with the Airport, with Baba Olunloyo in attendance back then.
“This point we stand today used to be full of shanties, but the Oyo State Government thought it wise to bring sanity to this place and use the space to immortalise a popular statesman like Baba.
“This park is unique in many respects. We have some cherished artifacts here that symbolise our culture and tradition in Oyo State — from Ibarapa to Oke Ogun to Ogbomosho and Ibadan.
“All these will make us to always put our culture into cognizance and that is why we must appreciate the efforts of our governor towards this project.”
The governor urged prospective users of the relaxation park to ensure its maintenance and use it strictly for the purposes it is meant for.
“I want to urge everyone to make sure we use this facility neatly, because we have our international airport, which is 2km away from here, and a lot of investors and foreign visitors will be coming around here often.
“Let them enjoy the ambience and serenity of our state,” Governor Makinde added.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Public Works, Infrastructure and Transport, Hon. Abulmojeed Mogbonjubola, described the park as another major milestone in Governor Makinde’s efforts to redefine Ibadan’s skyline and add beauty to the fast-developing metropolis.
He said the project was designed to serve as a centre for leisure, history and culture, stating that it would add to the overall beauty of Ibadan and become another testament to the governor’s commitment to urban and physical development.
The event was attended by the Deputy Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Mohammed Fadeyi; Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni, mni; commissioners; the Alaafin of Oyo Oba Akeem Owoade; co-chairman, Oyo State Elders’ Council, Chief Wole Oyelese; and former President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Chief Bayo Oyero.
Others in attendance included Oloye Lekan Alabi; President-General, CCII, Chief Ajeniyi Ajewole; Chairman of Local Government Chairmen in Oyo State, Hon Sikiru Sanda; Service Commanders; traditional rulers; and religious leaders, among others.
