Ondo state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has assured of his administration’s determination to make the state a top global destination for tourists.
Aiyedatiwa gave the assurance on Saturday while speaking at the Cross Creek’s Captain’s Inaugural Golf Tournament in Ilado, Akure south council area of the state.
The governor who was represented by his deputy, Olayide Adelami, commended the founder of the golf club, Mr Shola Abidakun, for giving back to his community and for “keying into the state’s plan of making Ondo attractive to investors and tourist destination”.
He said “the governor, who is a lover of golf, had prepared to grace the program with his presence, but for a pressing state assignment, he asked me to represent him and convey his goodwill message to the host traditional ruler, Ilado community, the founder of the golf club, and all the golfers at this important event”
The deputy governor expressed excitement over the progress made at the golf course so far, saying the governor, whom he described as a lover of sports and listening leader, will support the host community and the golf club with needed infrastructure such as road, electricity supply and completion of the ongoing health centre, to make it a world-class location for golfers.
Earlier, Captain of the Golf Club, Mr Isaac Shedowo, disclosed that Governor Aiyedatiwa has earlier been installed as the grand patron of the club, also installed the deputy governor as a patron and that the duo have been assigned holes 1 and 5 respectively.
Shedowo thanked the Governor for the support and encouragement, revealing that “most hotels in Akure have been fully booked as a result of this tournament and this will definitely boost the economy of the state”.
Founder of the club, Mr. Shola Abidakun, described the golf course as the second largest in Ondo state, as he spoke of his vision to build the golf course to international standard.
The deputy governor, who is a golfer, teed off before the tournament began and restated government’s readiness to partner with investors to move the state forward.
The event had in attendance, professional golfers from across the country, traditional rulers including the host monarch and other guests.