The mission was part of a collaborative effort between the UN and the Ekiti State Government to explore opportunities for sustainable tourism development in the region.
Ekiti offers serenity and a wide variety of tourist attractions such as extended rivers, unique wildlife, vast tracks of unspoiled nature ranging from tropical forest, magnificent waterfalls, conducive hilltop holidaying climates, spectacular warm and cold water springs oozing out and touching, yet retaining its thermal identity, nowhere in the world has this unique warm springs experience.
Other attractions include traditional ways of life preserved in local customs; rich and varied handicrafts and other colorful products depicting or illustrative of native arts, lifestyle, dance, and the authentic and unsophisticated but friendly attitude of both the indigenes and residents of the State.
Ekiti State is blessed with many tourist sites, many of which are yet to be explored and developed. The present government believes that if the tourist sites are developed, they are capable of generating billions of Naira for the state annually.
The government has therefore decided to partner with the private sector to fully develop the tourism potentials of the state to generate substantial revenue for the government, create employment opportunities, and alleviate poverty at the grassroots.
Over the week, the delegate met with various stakeholders, including government officials, local community leaders, and representatives from the private sector. The focus of these engagements was to assess the current tourism infrastructure, identify areas for improvement, and explore ways to leverage Ekiti State’s unique cultural and natural assets.
During the visit, the delegate conducted site inspections of notable landmarks and tourist attractions, such as the Ikogosi Warm Springs, the Arinta Waterfalls, and several cultural heritage sites.
The assessment aimed to gather data on the condition of these sites, the quality of visitor experiences, and the potential for developing new tourism products.
In addition to site visits, the delegate also participated in a series of workshops and discussions with local stakeholders. These sessions were designed to foster a dialogue on best practices in sustainable tourism development, community engagement, and capacity building. The delegate emphasized the importance of preserving cultural heritage and natural resources while promoting tourism as a driver for economic growth and social development.
As the UN delegate departed from Nigeria, there was a sense of optimism among the officials and stakeholders who had engaged in the mission. The insights and recommendations provided by the delegate are expected to form the basis for a strategic tourism development plan for Ekiti State, aimed at enhancing the visitor experience, boosting the local economy, and promoting sustainable practices.The Ekiti State Government expressed gratitude to the UN for its support and pledged to implement the recommendations from the technical assessment mission.
The Governor of Ekiti State highlighted the potential of tourism as a key sector for economic diversification and job creation and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to making Ekiti State a premier tourist destination in Nigeria.
This successful mission marks the beginning of a promising partnership between Ekiti State and the United Nations, with the shared goal of unlocking the full potential of tourism for sustainable development.
