The Oyo State Government has expressed readiness to partner with investors who share the economic vision of the Governor Seyi Makinde administration.
This assurance was given by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, who led a delegation from the ministry on an inspection visit to the Royal Entertainment Cruise Resort, Eleyele, Ibadan.
The resort features a variety of attractions including a paintball arena, children’s play area, snooker hall, boat cruise dock with several boats and speedboats, as well as a relaxation zone designed to give visitors a complete leisure experience.
Speaking during the visit, Prince Oyelade commended the Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Sanmi Bamidele, for his creativity and investment drive, describing the project as one that aligns perfectly with Governor Makinde’s vision to make tourism a key pillar of Oyo State’s economy.
“We are delighted to see this kind of forward-thinking investment here in Oyo State. Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration believes that tourism can create jobs, boost local economies, and showcase Oyo as a leading destination for culture and leisure in Nigeria,” he said.
He noted that the facility represents a major private-sector contribution to the state’s tourism growth, adding that similar water-based leisure investments are rare in the South-West outside Lagos.
According to him, the Ministry will collaborate closely with the management of Royal Entertainment Cruise to promote awareness across all media platforms and attract both local and international visitors.
Prince Oyelade assured that the government would continue to support private projects that align with its development goals, describing the facility as “a shining example of how innovation and entrepreneurship can drive local growth.”
In his response, Dr. Sanmi Bamidele appreciated the state government for its encouragement and support. He said the inspiration behind the project came from the government’s renewed focus on tourism as a driver of economic development.
“The government cannot do it alone. What we are doing here supports Governor Makinde’s vision to increase the state’s revenue through tourism. People now come from all over Nigeria and even from Europe to experience what we’ve built here. Ibadan is fast transforming from the city of brown roofs into a marine destination, and we’re proud to be part of that change,” he said.
Dr. Bamidele added that the facility has created numerous direct and indirect jobs for residents of Eleyele and neighbouring communities while beautifying the area. He also appreciated the Governor’s earlier promise to fix the access road to make the site more accessible for visitors.
The Commissioner was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Rotimi Babalola, and directors from the ministry.
The visit concluded with a fun tour of the facility, where the team engaged in activities including a paintball session and boat cruising.
You can get every of our news as soon as they drop on WhatsApp ...To get all news updates, Join our WhatsApp Group (Click Here)
