In a bid to harness the potential of tourism attractive centres for the economic growth of Ogun State, the Ogun State government on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a private organisation named SystemSpecs Whatadeal a privately owned tourism, lifestyle and technology company to officially take over the management and activities of the Olumorock.
The development was officially handed over to the private company by the Hon. Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Sesan Fagbayi, following a process and consensus reached on the Olumorock tourism attractions centres with Whatadeal.
Speaking after the MoU signed at the Olumorock, in Ikija area of Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital, the Hon. Commissioner stated that the Public Private Partnerships become a necessity for further development and improved IGR for the state.
Fagbayi, who quoted the popular saying of “government has no business in business”, posited that the PPP would drive more attractions, thereby also influencing the prospect of the tourist attraction beyond expectations.
Also, speaking the Director General of Public Private Partnerships in Ogun, Barrister Dapo Oduwole said the decision is important for following reasons, adding that Ogun State is desirous of the best, thereby, it must do best to attract best.
Oduwole noted that SystemSpecs Whatadeal is known for the best in tourism and they are bringing their best to Ogun in ensuring that more money is coming into the state, while also increasing the number of improved the standard of Olumorock.
He posited that Ogun State deserve the best and Improvement boasting PPP would continued to creat an enabling environment for investors to come from all over the world to invest in Ogun assets.
“Public Private Partnerships would continue to creat an enabling environment for investors to come from all over the world to invest in our assets and our public enterprise in Ogun state”.
“Ogun state deserve the best, you will see that before now there is not art gallery in Olumorock, but now you can see Nike art gallery, just like in Lekki , the Governor of Ogun State Price Dapo Abiodun is giving his best to ensure that more investors are coming to Ogun to invest if you look at Public Private Partnerships project you will see that we have hospital in Oke-Mosan which is going to be commissioned soon to have best health facilities in Ogun.
In his acceptance speech, the managing director of Whatadeal, Mr Obafela Bank-Olemoh, disclosed the readiness of the firm to increase patronage of the Olumorock tourism attractions centres beyond the local level, stating that standards would change from the day of taking over.
He posited that the firm’s objective is to ensure that anyone coming to Nigeria prioritises visiting Olumorock, thereby making it one of the three reasons why a foreigner would visit Nigeria.
Bank-olemoh noted that Olumorock is one of the great icons in Nigeria and of course Africa, hence the firm would include reality centres, games arcade and other fun fairs.
Obafela Bank-olemoh managing director
We’ve just concluded the signing of the MoU management of Olumorock Whatadeal company, and we have decided to come here and have a press conference so that the whole world will know that the management of these facilities has been given to a professional, and that is the reason why we are here this afternoon”.
“We just did the sign of us running Olumorock, for us it’s a great honour Olumorock is one of the most iconic tourist sites in Nigeria and of course Africa and it is exciting to us that we’ll be working closely with the Ogun state government, commissioner of tourism and to ensure that not only do we take them much higher but we make sure that if anybody comes to Nigeria, you’ve not visited Olumorock you’ve not visited Nigeria, that’s our objective”
“So we can tell you clearly how many people have been to Olumo from this date to that date, so that things that we can give you categorically”
“Also, what are we gonna do, we are gonna be ensuring that we maintain the standard that has been set here and also improve it. Like I told you, our vision is very clear. When we talk about tourism in Nigeria, we want you to be undoubtedly clear that the one place you must visit if you come to Nigeria is Olumorock”.
“We say in our company that there are three things you should do if you come to Nigeria to visit Olumorock. One of them is to decide for yourself. So that’s our objective that’s what the governor wants to achieve that’s what the honourable commissioner wants to achieve and that’s what we commit to do as what it is”
Ogun Govt Signs MoU with Whatadeal to Boost Tourism through Olumorock Centre
The Ogun State government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Whatadeal, a private organisation, to officially take over the management and activities of the Olumorock Tourism Centre.
This partnership aims to harness the centre’s potential for economic growth and improve the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR).
Speaking after the MoU signing ceremony at Olumorock, Ikija, Abeokuta, Hon. Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Sesan Fagbayi, stated that public-private partnerships (PPPs) have become necessary for further development and improved IGR. Fagbayi quoted the popular saying, “government has no business in business,” positing that the PPP would drive more attractions and influence the centre’s prospects beyond expectations.
Whatadeal’s Managing Director, Obafela Bank-olemoh, disclosed the firm’s readiness to increase patronage of the Olumorock Tourism Centre beyond the local level, stating that standards would take effect from the day of takeover.
He emphasised that the firm’s objective is to make Olumorock a priority destination for visitors to Nigeria, making it one of the top three reasons foreigners visit the country.
Bank-olemoh noted that Olumorock is one of Nigeria’s and Africa’s iconic sites, and the firm plans to introduce reality centres, game arcades, and other fun activities to enhance the experience.
“We want to ensure that anyone coming to Nigeria prioritises visiting Olumorock,” he said. “If you come to Nigeria, you’ve not visited Olumorock, you’ve not visited Nigeria.”
The firm is committed to maintaining and improving the centre’s standards, with a vision to make Olumorock a must-visit destination in Nigeria.
