BY Onyekachi Victoria Philip
After nearly three years of persistent invitations, the founder of La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, Otunba Wanle Akinboboye, finally embarked on a visit to Ekiti State, receiving a colourful traditional welcome with cultural drums, songs and performances in the Ekiti dialect.
The delegation was officially received by the Director-General of the Ekiti State Bureau of Tourism Development, Ambassador Wale Ojo-Lanre, who led an extensive tourism presentation revealing the state’s enormous potential for destination development.
Present at the session were Otunba Wanle Akinboboye and former President of the Libya Chamber of Commerce and founder of one of Libya’s largest aviation schools, Mohammed Fazzani.
During the presentation, Ambassador Ojo-Lanre mapped out Ekiti State’s rich tourism landscape, exposing the unique attractions and cultural heritage of communities including Ikun Ekiti, Otun Ekiti, Ilogbo Ekiti, Okemesi Ekiti, Efon Ekiti, Ikogosi, Ipole-Iloro Ekiti, Erijiyan, Ikere Ekiti, Ado-Ekiti, Iyin Ekiti, Igede Ekiti, Isan Ekiti, Usi Ekiti and Ayetoro Ekiti.
He explained how each community possesses distinctive assets capable of contributing significantly to the growth of tourism and the state’s economy.
Reflecting on his long-standing admiration for the La Campagne founder, Ambassador Ojo-Lanre recalled first hearing Otunba Akinboboye speak at the Sheraton Hotel in 2001.
According to him, the vision he witnessed that day has evolved into more than four decades of transforming La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort into one of Africa’s leading indigenous tourism destinations.
Responding to the warm reception, Otunba Wanle Akinboboye expressed gratitude while acknowledging the years of encouragement that eventually brought him to Ekiti.
“I would like to thank you for this extremely warm reception. I feel a bit uncomfortable because, over the years, even before you became the Director-General, you used every possible tactic to bring me to Ekiti. It wasn’t by design that I would only come when the Governor invited me.
“I am glad that we now have someone leading tourism who is not just an enthusiast. Before becoming DG, you were already a tourism rascal. From what I have seen here, we need to catch up quickly. We need both long-term and short-term plans. We must build the infrastructure that will support what Ekiti already has. These are tremendous interconnected attractions. Attractions alone do not generate resources until they are transformed into destinations.”
The tour continued with a visit to The Farm in Ado-Ekiti, owned by former presidential adviser, Senator Babafemi Ojudu.
The delegation explored the expansive property, admired its African-inspired architecture, artistic collections and beautifully crafted sculptures that celebrate African heritage.
Senator Ojudu also guided the visitors through the farm’s livestock section, where they inspected well-kept turkeys, goats and other animals that contribute to the agricultural value of the estate.
One of the most memorable moments of the tour came at the famous Arinta Waterfalls in Ipole-Iloro Ekiti.
Surrounded by towering mountains and lush green forests, the La Campagne delegation trekked through the scenic landscape to experience one of Ekiti’s most celebrated natural wonders, further stating the state’s reputation as a destination blessed with extraordinary ecological attractions.
The delegation also visited the iconic Ikogosi Warm Springs, where nature presents one of its rarest phenomena, warm and cold springs flowing side by side without mixing.
Tour guides demonstrated the remarkable experience by inviting visitors to feel both streams simultaneously with their feet, leaving many fascinated by the unique natural wonder.
Another major highlight of the visit was the inspection of key aviation infrastructure, including the Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport.
The modern facility was identified as a strategic asset capable of enhancing accessibility, attracting investment and strengthening tourism development across the state.
