The traditional ruler of the ancient town of Ado-Awaye, Oba Ademola Olugbile Folakanmi, has said the only naturally suspended lake in the world which is situated in the town has the potential to generate 50 per cent of the state’s Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, if well developed.
The monarch, who is the Head of Ado-Awaye Tourism Heritage Development, said if the artificially suspended lake in Colorado, USA could generate 50 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product, GDP, of Colorado, the only naturally suspended lake in the world, located in Ado-Awaye in Iseyin local government area of Oyo State, can generate more than 50 per cent of Oyo State GDP .
Ado-Awaye naturally suspended lake remains the only one in the world, while a hanging lake in the U.S. state of Colorado is said to be an artificial one, located in Glenwood Canyon, about seven miles East of Glenwood Springs .
While addressing journalists on Monday in Ibadan on the forthcoming Iyake Festival, he said the natural wonders in Ado-Awaye suspended lake provided a fantastic opportunity for adventure tourism.
Oba Folakanmi disclosed that the maiden edition of the Iyake Festival was set to debut from the 7th to 11th of December, 2021 , while the test run would take place from the 2nd to 5th of April , 2021 both in Ado-Awaye land.
The monarch, while calling on government at all levels as well as private sectors for support, listed the key objectives of the festival to include promotion of the cultural heritage of not only Oyo State and Nigeria, but within the African continent in general.
According to him, “The Iyake Festival promises to be a foremost tourism brand in Oyo State that we all will be proud of in years to come. We therefore crave the indulgence of each and everyone of you to rally round this project not just by giving it your support, but also by opening your business networks within corporate Nigeria and beyond to aid in the marketing initiatives of this brand.”
The CEO, Red Alert Consult Limited, which is partnering Ado-Awaye Tourism Heritage Development Initiative, Sir Babatunde Obalana, said the natural lake was the engine room to catapult the economic potentials of the community into one of humongous development to transform and showcase to the world, the God-given natural breathtaking attractions that abound in Ado-Awaye, Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole.
