EXCLUSIVE: OGUN TAKES STEP TO TURN STATE TO TOURISM PARADISE ...Inaugurates committee to carry out task

Chief Ganiyu Balogun a.k.a Tarzan, National President of ATBOWATON (backing camera) addressing members of the committee during the inaugural meeting.

Sequel to THE STATEPOST recent exclusive report on Ogun State Government's quest to turn the state to an aquatic paradise in Nigeria, the government of Governor Dapo Abiodun has now taken the initial initiative towards making the dream a reality.

The state government has recently inaugurated a committee to tour the state with a view to identify specific aspects and areas of its aquatic tourism sector that could attract immediate private investments.

The committee which is chaired by Mrs. Ronke Tokunbo-Peters, the state Director of Tourism Development and Promotion included all the directors of the state Ministry of Culture and Tourism and top members of the Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria  (ATBOWATON), the cooperating partner of the ministry on this initiative.

Members of ATBOWATON in the Committee included the National President of the association, Chief Ganiyu Balogun a.k.a Tarzan, Muritala Elebu Olayiwola, the Ogun State Chairman of the association, Arogundade Kazeem, Secretary, Olayinka Samuel, Treasurer, Bakare Tanimola, Vice Chairman, Foluso Adelaja,  Assistant Public Relations Officer and Okin Ife.

From left: Chief Ganiyu Balogun a.k.a Tarzan, Mrs Tokunbo-Peters, Mr. Arogundade Kazim and Alhaji Muritala Elebu Olayiwola posing for photograph after the inaugural meeting.

Speaking during the inauguration of the Committee in the Conference Room of the ministry,  the chairman of the committee stressed the need to expedite actions on the task assigned and to be detailed in the report to government. 

Mrs. Tokunbo-Peters warned that the task ahead of the committee are enormous as the state tourism assets are far flung especially in the riverine areas. 

It would be recalled that the Ogun State chapter of ATBOWATON has written to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism pledging to cooperate with it in identifying its aquatic tourism assets and would also help to develop some of them by investing directly in the sector and by attracting other investors. The newly inaugurated committee is the offshoot of ATBOWATON's request.