Osun gov’t directs upgrade of Erin Ijesha waterfalls, other key sites
By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo
In response to a recent viral video highlighting the condition of Erin Ijesha Waterfalls, the Osun State Government has announced plans for a comprehensive upgrade of tourist sites across the state, including the waterfalls.
The State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, in a disclosure, stated that the government is undertaking a systemic upgrade following decades of neglect by previous administrations.
He revealed that this upgrade initiative is part of a broader tourism agenda that includes improvements to several cultural and tourism sites, such as the Osun Grove, Owala Inland Beach Resort in Olorunda Local Government, Sango Timi Shrine in Ede Local Government, and Ayinkunnugba Waterfalls in Oke-Ila Orangun in Ifedayo Local Government, among others.
The commissioner disclosed that Governor Ademola Adeleke has directed the acceleration of ongoing renewal efforts for the Erin Ijesha Waterfalls, including the formation of a tripartite committee for the site’s management. Alimi noted that the entire management of the Erin Ijesha Waterfalls site is currently under the purview of the Erin Ijesha community, emphasizing that this arrangement is intended to ensure localization and boost the local cultural and tourism industry.
To facilitate the upgrade process, the Commissioner announced that a tripartite meeting between the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Ministry of Information and Public Enlightenment, and leaders of the Erin Ijesha community is scheduled for Wednesday, August 14th, 2024. The meeting will focus on maintaining the environment and developing an acceptable template that will benefit all stakeholders involved.
“I want to assure the general public that the Osun State Government, under Governor Ademola Adeleke, has a comprehensive tourism agenda that covers all our cultural and tourism sites. Tomorrow’s meeting will accelerate the pace of reforms to meet the aspirations of the community and the tourism sector,” Alimi said.
He reassured the public that the Osun State Government is committed to tourism and has outlined it as one of its five-point agenda, noting that the state is open to public-private partnerships.
