The government of Ogun State has joined forces with the Nike Art Gallery to create a fresh exhibit area at the Olumo Rock Tourist Center in Abeokuta. According to Governor Dapo Abiodun, this initiative aims to increase yearly visitors from 20,000 to more than 100,000.
Abiodun revealed this plan on Wednesday when he met with the founder of the Nike Art Gallery, Chief (Mrs) Nike Davies-Okundaye, at his office located in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
“A few weeks back, I visited Olumo Rock and realized we should take action to restore it to its former splendor. According to data, the site currently attracts around 20,000 visitors annually. My aim is to boost this number to at least tenfold,” stated the governor.
Part of the strategy involves converting an event space inside the tourism center into a permanent exhibition run by the Nike Art Gallery.
“I instructed them to close it down. In practice, we aim to convert it into a gallery for your use as an exhibition space,” he explained to Davies-Okundaye.
He mentioned that the gallery will be completed prior to the National Sports Festival in May, during which time the state expects around 15,000 guests.
“I want them to be able to see our tourist sites,” he said, listing attractions such as the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, the Ransome-Kuti family home, and the Adire market among key heritage spots to be showcased.
Emphasizing the enhanced infrastructure in Ogun, the governor stated, “Since we have successfully developed both intrastate and interstate road networks, you can now reach Ogun State via train; you can also arrive by air. We have built one of Nigeria’s finest airports, and shortly, traveling here by sea will also be an option.”
In her comments, Davies-Okundaye commended the state’s initiatives to boost tourism and committed to utilizing the new gallery to draw international focus.
“This gallery will bring many heads of state. The one I opened in Abuja already has more than ten heads of state, including those from South Korea and the Czech Republic. The same will happen here,” she said.
She likewise commended the governor for his dedication to supporting the Adire textile sector.
“Adire is widespread throughout Nigeria, yet Ogun has been fostering Adire for more than five decades. Nowadays, the sole fabric we can claim as our own is known as Adire. This is what we can offer to European buyers,” she stated.
Abiodun reaffirmed his administration’s backing of the Adire industry, citing policies such as the Adire Ogun Digital Marketplace, compulsory wearing of Adire in the state, and provision of solar-powered production equipment to support artisans.
He also revealed plans to open a creative arts and entertainment village in partnership with Bolanle Austen-Peters, expected to be completed within two months.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc.
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