Osun State Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi has declared the interest of the State government to turn Osun-Osogbo groove to a world class tourist site.
He made this known during a courtesy visit by delegates of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO, in his office, State Secretariat, Abere.
Prince Adewusi, who spoke on behalf of Governor Adeleke, stressed that the State Government will ensure that more improvement is done at the groove before the next Osun-Osogbo festival.
The Deputy Governor pleaded with the UNESCO delegates to assist the State by approving some other heritage sites in the state, such as Oranmiyan staff, Olumirin Waterfalls and Owala dam.
“The road leading to the groove is very important, and the Governor has instructed the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mr Bankole Ojo to work on the reconstruction of it and the issue of car parks for tourists during the festival.
“Owala Dam, pinpointing it can be a source of power generation to the Country, while the erection of a 5-star hotel around the place can also be a source of revenue to the State”, he concluded.
In her remarks, Mrs Rahina Garba Haruna, who represented the Director of National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Abuja, Professor Issa Tijani stated that the team were really impressed with the facelift of the groove by the present administration in the State, adding that issue of pipe- line of the river,which is sample from the water, had been on since 2015.
She also encouraged the State to preserve the groove, urging them not to see it as mere groove, but as a symbol of the Yorubas in the world.
The Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Osun, Mr Bankole Ojo, appreciated the team and promised the support of Osun State Government in making sure it adheres to UNESCO instructions in order to maintain the world heritage status of the groove.
