I’m determined to make Ondo top tourist destination — Aiyedatiwa

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has announced that the state will soon be a top global destination for tourism.

Aiyedatiwa expressed his administration’s determination to make the state a top global destination for tourists.

The governor announced this during his opening address at Cross Creek’s Captain’s Inaugural Golf Tournament held in Akure on Saturday.

The governor, represented by his deputy, Olayide Adelami, praised the founder of the golf club, Shola Abidakun, for giving back to his community and “keying into the state’s plan of making Ondo attractive to investors and tourist destination”.

“The governor, who is a lover of golf, had prepared to grace the program with his presence, but for a pressing state assignment, he asked me to represent him and convey his goodwill message to the host traditional ruler, Ilado community, the founder of the golf club, and all the golfers at this important event,” Adelami said.

The deputy governor expressed excitement over the progress made at the golf course so far, saying the governor, whom he described as a lover of sports and a listening leader, will support the host community and the golf club with needed infrastructure, such as roads, electricity supply and completion of the ongoing health centre, to make it a world-class location for golfers.

The Captain of the Golf Club, Isaac Shedowo, revealed that Governor Aiyedatiwa had previously been installed as the club’s grand patron, as well as, the deputy governor and that the two had been assigned holes 1 and 5, respectively.

Shedowo thanked the governor for his support and encouragement, noting that “most hotels in Akure have been fully booked as a result of this tournament, and this will definitely boost the state’s economy.”

While the founder of the club, Shola Abidakun, described the golf course as the second largest in Ondo State, he spoke of his vision to build the golf course to international standards.

The deputy governor, who is a golfer, teed off before the tournament began and restated the government’s readiness to partner with investors to move the state forward.

The event had in attendance professional golfers from across the country, traditional rulers, including the host monarch and other guests.