Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun, Oyo State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, has called on Nigerians to visit Ado-Awaye Hanging Lake, in Oyo State and other tourist sites within the state.Olatunbosun spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sideline of the 35th National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST), held at the National Stadium, Lagos.
He said that the Ado-Awaye Hanging Lake was the only natural one across the globe as the other hanging lake located at Colorado, United States of America, was an artificial one.
According to him, the hanging lake is a wonder because one cannot explain the mystery behind the source of the lake or why it does not go dry.
“No one knows the depth and a staircase of about 365 steps starts the journey to the mountain, before tourists are left to do hiking where the steps end to get to their destination.
“The hanging lake is a place to be for every tourist,” he said.
The commissioner said there were also more interesting sites like Iyamopo where the thunder gets its power, Atibarapa, Igbeti, Agbelu, Idere hills and more.
He urged local and international investors to invest in the tourist sites to boost the state’s economy.
“We have created the enabling environment for businesses to thrive, this is in the area of road infrastructure, security and street lights.
“Before now, it takes 2hrs 45 minutes to get to Isheyin where the hanging lake is located in Oyo State, but now, within one hour, you are at Ado-Awaye.
“We want to expand our economy through tourism and exploration of our mineral resources.
“We have made deliberate efforts to market our cultural and tourism sites through series of documentaries, summits and more.
“We are ready to support investors with whatever assistance they need, in terms of tax holiday, land and all,” he said.
Olatunbosun commended the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) and the Lagos State Government for a well organised festival.
“We are here to win laurels and make Oyo State proud, all our contingents are ready to win laurels, we have 100 contingents from Oyo State,” he said.
