Oyo State Pledges Support for Private Tourism, Highlights New Ibadan Water Resort

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The Oyo State Government has reaffirmed its dedication to partnering with private investors who share the economic development goals of the Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration.

This stance was emphasised on October 28, when the state commissioner for information, Dotun Oyelade, led a ministry team on an official visit to the Royal Entertainment Cruise Resort, a new leisure facility located at Eleyele in Ibadan.

During the tour, Oyelade noted the resort’s impressive features, including a paintball arena, a dedicated children’s play area, a snooker hall, and a boat-cruise dock with multiple boats and speedboats, offering visitors a comprehensive relaxation experience.

The Commissioner praised the vision of the resort’s Chief Executive Officer, Sanmi Bamidele, calling the investment a creative project that aligns perfectly with Governor Makinde’s objective to establish tourism as a major pillar of Oyo State’s economy.

“We are delighted to see this kind of forward-thinking investment here in Oyo State. Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration believes that tourism can create jobs, boost local economies, and showcase Oyo as a leading destination for culture and leisure in Nigeria,” Oyelade said.

He described the facility as a significant private-sector contribution to the state’s tourism landscape, noting that water-based leisure investments of this scale are rare in the South-West region outside Lagos.

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Oyelade assured that the ministry would actively collaborate with the resort to boost its visibility across media platforms, aiming to attract visitors from within Nigeria and internationally. He affirmed the government’s commitment to supporting private projects that align with its development agenda, calling the resort a “shining example” of innovative entrepreneurship driving local growth.

In his remarks, Mr. Bamidele expressed gratitude for the state government’s encouragement, revealing that the inspiration for the resort came from the administration’s new focus on tourism as an economic tool.

“The government cannot do it alone. What we are doing here supports Governor Makinde’s vision to increase the state’s revenue through tourism. People now come from all over Nigeria and even from Europe to experience what we’ve built here. Ibadan is fast transforming from the city of brown roofs into a marine destination, and we’re proud to be part of that change,” Bamidele said.

He added that the resort has already created numerous direct and indirect jobs for residents of Eleyele and nearby areas while enhancing the area’s aesthetics. Bamidele also expressed appreciation for the governor’s prior promise to rehabilitate the access road, which will improve the resort’s accessibility.

The Commissioner’s team, which included the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Rotimi Babalola, concluded the visit by participating in some of the resort’s activities, including a boat cruise and a paintball session.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) And Answers

What was the purpose of the Oyo State Government’s visit to the resort? 

The visit, led by Information Commissioner Dotun Oyelade, was to express the government’s readiness to partner with private investors, such as the Royal Entertainment Cruise Resort, which aligns with Governor Seyi Makinde’s vision to grow the state’s tourism sector.

What is the Royal Entertainment Cruise Resort? 

It is a new, water-based leisure and entertainment facility located at Eleyele in Ibadan, Oyo State.

What attractions does the resort offer? According to the article, the resort features a paintball arena, a children’s play area, a snooker hall, a relaxation area, and a boat cruise dock with multiple boats and speedboats.

Why is this resort significant to the Oyo State Government? 

The government views it as a significant private-sector contribution to tourism, creating jobs and helping rebrand Ibadan as a leisure destination. It is also noted as a rare water-based resort in the South-West, outside Lagos.

Who is the CEO of the resort? 

The Chief Executive Officer is Sanmi Bamidele.

What impact has the resort had on the local community? 

According to its CEO, the resort has created several direct and indirect jobs for residents of Eleyele and surrounding communities and has attracted visitors from across Nigeria and Europe.

What support did the government promise the resort? 

The Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, pledged that the ministry would work with the facility to promote it across media platforms to attract local and international visitors. The CEO also mentioned a previous promise from the governor to fix the access road.