*Govt Clears Beggars, Others Off Streets
By Stephen Gbadamosi, Ibadan
Critical stakeholders in the hospitality and tourism sector have gathered in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, to chart a course for the future of the sector in the state.
This is just as the state governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, said his administration had put in place major policies, actions and economic enablers that would make the Pacesetter State the hub of tourism in South-West Nigeria and a major tourism destination in the country.
The development arose at the International Tourism Summit Oyo State 2026, where the governor noted that with key infrastructure development, projects connecting towns and communities in the state, improved security as well as ongoing efforts to revitalise major tourist attractions, the number of tourism activities in Oyo State would scale up in the next few years.
Also speaking, immediate-past governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, shared with the gathering his experience in developing and laying the foundation for tourism in Ekiti State.
Speaking during the summit themed ‘From Groundwork to Governance: Building Tourism That Endures’, Gov. Makinde said that another major factor that would make the state a tourism hub is in continuity of policies and ideas, as, according to him, policies underpinning tourism development had been institutionalised, with structures and systems well-built and ideas aligned to sustain sector.
According to him, his administration had been showcasing tourism assets and building structures to institutionalise them beyond his term in office, with an approach that is deliberate and strategic, and went beyond initiating projects, but was rather focused on building structures capable of sustaining long-term growth in the tourism sector.
He added that his administration had created a system where investment was not only possible but structured, protected and enduring for investors in the state.
He noted that investors should nurse no fear about leadership changes, as the teeming people of Oyo State would support members of his team in the next election cycle, so that they can sustain policies and ideas that have worked out well in the interest of the state.
“Some of you here were part of the tour of the Oke Ogun zone, I hope you can now see why Oyo State is set to become the tourism capital of South-West Nigeria in the coming years.
“I usually boast to people that from the train station in Moniya, you can drive at least 180 kilometres on state roads, with no single pothole. At least, you can drive Moniya to Iseyin; it’s 65 kilometres. You can drive from Iseyin to Ogbomoso; it is 76 kilometres.
“And you can drive from Iseyin to Oyo, it’s about 42 kilometers and you won’t see one pothole on those roads.
“But now, I want to speak about something more fundamental. Let me start by acknowledging our reality. When investors consider opportunities within our environment, there’s always an underlying question. It is not always asked openly. They may not come to you, but behind us, they are asking those questions.
“And the question is: What happens after this administration? Will policies continue? Will agreements be honoured? Will priorities remain consistent? And these are valid concerns, because investment, by its nature, is long-term.
“When you have long-term investments, you require more than vision. You require more than sweet talk.
“So, long-term investment requires continuity. And given the volatility of our political climate, we have had instances where one administration does its best to build systems, and the next comes in and scuttles it.
“Look at the 110 kilometres Circular Road we are building, it was conceived in early 2000 and nothing happened to it until two decades later. That’s not good. So, any private sector player who was hoping on working with that corridor would have been disappointed, and then investment would have been lost.
“But when we assumed office, we understood that progress driven solely by leadership is not enough, because leadership changes. I have told the people that I will recommend for the people of Oyo State, but the decision will rest with the people of the state.
“If we make a mistake, it’s a one-day event, but the impact will last four years. So, we must get it right.
“Leadership changes, but systems endure. So, our focus has been deliberate. For this tourism sector, we’re not just initiating projects. We’re building structures that can sustain them. Structures that define how decisions are made. We have aligned institutions around shared goals and ensure that progress does not depend on individuals. This is institutionalisation.
“But let me be clear about what this means in practice. It means we are creating and running coordinated systems. You have already seen this through the establishment of the 25-year tourism master plan committee and the structure development frameworks, such as what you have seen for Eleyele Lake.
“They are not temporary measures. They are building blocks of a system. So, indeed, we’re not speaking about continuity in theory. We are demonstrating it in practice.
“Last year, this summit opened the way for clarity under the Focus 5 investment site. And this year, like you already know, I am happy to again announce that a 15-year concession agreement has been signed with System Specs Limited for Bower’s Tower.
“Now to talk to investors. What does all of this mean for you? It means that when you engage with Oyo State, you are engaging with a system. A system where decisions are guided by frameworks, engagement is coordinated across government, and projects are anchored in long-term plans. It means that your investments are not dependent on personalities, but supported by structures. And what does that also mean? It means your risks are greatly reduced.
“So, as we approach the latter phase of this administration, our focus is clear. It is not just to complete projects but to ensure that what has been started can continue.”
Speaking on continuity, the governor maintained that as he had said on many occasions, he would recommend an individual to the people of the state, who would then decide who to vote for as the next governor, stating, however, that such recommendation would be influenced by loyalty to Oyo State and capacity to move the state forward rather than political party colouration.
He reiterated that his administration had been able to achieve success because it is blind to party affiliations and mainly focused on the development of the state, saying: “For us, if you’re from Oyo State, and you’re loyal to Oyo State, and you have faith in your state, and you have the capacity, we will tap you to support the development of Oyo State.”
Presenting the 25-Year Tourism Master Plan Framework, Dr. Kola Lawal, said the initiative was to drive investment attraction and platform for cultural implementation tools for regional development, noting that Oyo State had a lot of heritage and iconic structures to promote tourism and attract investors to the state.
Also in their separate addresses as investors in Oyo State, the founder, Kunle Afolayan Production (KAP) Film Village, Mr. Kunle Afolayan and the Managing Director, Whatadeal Africa, Mr. Obafela Bank-Olemoh, commended the governor for construction of roads to improve access and boost tourism in the state.
They both acknowledged the state as the custodian of history, tourism, traditions and customs, noting that heritage was the strongest tourism differentiator in the state.
Speaking on the tourism sector in the state, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun, explained that the tourism foundation being laid in the state was designed to ensure consistency, coordination, disciplined execution, and long-term growth.
He maintained that Oyo State had established institutional coordination, identified and prioritised key tourism assets with structuring development frameworks, and demonstrated early execution through strategic concessions with development partners.
Director-General, Oyo State Mobilisation Agency for Social Economic Development (OYMASED), Dr. Morounkola Thomas, in his presentation entitled: ‘From Execution to Governance’, said when governance was in place, investors gained confidence and the government gained alignment, while projects gained continuity.
In his presentation on the Eleyele Lake Development Framework, Director-General of the Oyo State Investment and Public Private Partnerships Agency, Mr. Tilewa Folami, also spoke about the tourism potential of the state.
In her opening address, the Secretary, Organising Committee, Ms. Abigail Anaba, noted that the government alone could not build a tourism economy, but that its responsibility was to create clarity of direction, structure, and opportunity.
She emphasised that the event focused on moving tourism development from alignment to execution in the state, thereby, encouraging stakeholders to support the government, understand the systems and frameworks established and identify how to plug into the opportunities.
The event had in attendance, the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Bayo Lawal; former Deputy Governor of the state, Hamid Gbadamosi; Chief Judge of the state, Justice Iyabo Yerima, represented by Justice A. L. Akintola; President, Customary Court of Appeal, Justice T. L. Abdulganiyu, represented by Justice M. A. Oyafajo; Secretary to the State Government, Musibau Babatunde; Chief of Staff, Otunba (Dr.) Segun Ogunwuyi; Head of Service, Mrs. Olubunmi Oni; and other government functionaries.
Also in attendance were traditional rulers, service commanders, captains of industry, and major stakeholders in the tourism sector, among other dignitaries.
Oyo Clears Beggars, Others Off The Streets
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority (OYRLEA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, the Nigeria Police Force, the Amotekun Corps, and the Environmental Task Force, carried out a joint clearance and enforcement operation on the destitute and street beggars in Ibadan main city on Thursday evening.
The operation was led by Chairman of the Environmental Task Force, Oyo State, Francis Ojomo, a retired Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP).
Key officials on ground included the Chief of Staff to the OYRLEA chairperson, Iyabode Enitan Akinbode.
A statement by the state Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, on Thursday, said the exercise covered key areas, including the Beere – Mapo – Oja’ba access routes.
During the exercise, scores of the destitute and beggars constituting environmental and public order impediments were apprehended.
The individuals, who filled up two high-capacity buses, were transported to the Internally Displaced and Destitute Home in Akinyele Local Government Area for proper profiling, care, and rehabilitation.
Speaking on the operation, the chairperson of OYRLEA, Hon. Justice Aderonke Adekemi Aderemi (rtd.), reaffirmed the authority’s stance against indiscriminate street begging and the unlawful occupation of public spaces.
She noted that the activities of the destitute and beggars on major roads and walkways posed serious environmental challenges, obstructed free movement, and compromised public safety and hygiene.
Justice Aderemi emphasised that a cleaner, safer, and more orderly environment is critical to the vision of the Oyo State government under Governor Seyi Makinde.
She urged members of the public to desist from encouraging street begging and to cooperate with enforcement agencies in maintaining order across the state.
The joint operation, according to the authority, would be sustained to ensure that Ibadan and other parts of Oyo State remained clean, safe, and conducive for residents, visitors, and businesses.
*PHOTO CAPTION: L-R::Ex-Gov. Fayemi of Ekiti State, Gov. Makinde and a cross section of participants at the summit.
