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Oyo Govt. Sets To Upgrade Irefin Palace To Rival Buckingham Palace

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6 years ago

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Oyo government has disclosed intentions to renovate Irefin Palace in Ibadan prestigious Buckingham Palace of United Kingdom.

News Rain reports that the state government confirmed its agreement with private partners to promote notable tourist sites in the State.

Oyo Govt. To Upgrade Irefin Palace To Rival Buckingham Palace

Making the disclosure in his office, while receiving the Irefin Royal Family of Ibadan, Dr Wasiu Olatubosun, the State Commissioner for Information, Culture, and Tourism, said ” The Irefin family held a historical significance of being the descendants of Oba Onirefin who built the biggest palace of 125 rooms in the history of Yorubaland, during his reign between 1912 to 1914.
Dr Olatubosun noted that the Late Oba Onirefin was known for his philanthropic efforts, especially in the promotion of education as he was said to be the highest donor to the establishment of the popular Ibadan Grammar School where he donated 100 pounds and the land upon which the school was built.
The commissioner said the present administration in Oyo State, led by Governor Seyi Makinde has turned away from the old style of neglecting tourism as a means of generating internal revenue and has adopted the public-private-partnership model to develop and promote major tourist sites in the State.
“We want to work with the Irefin Royal Family to bring more attention to the tourism potential of the palace and the significance of it to humanity, the palace is not just a structure, it symbolizes love, it symbolizes philanthropy.
“The late Oba Onirefin was a giver and lover of educational development, that is why the State government will support the family to promote the palace to be as famous as the Buckingham Palace in the United Kingdom, look at the number of people that troop to the U.K to see the palace among other sites, it will generate goodwill for the government and promote the tourism industry in the State.” Dr Olatubosun stated.
In his response, Prince Omokayode Ayinla who is the leader of the family,  and the Coordinator of the Irefin Historical Palace Foundation, said the family was happy with the stride of Oyo State government towards promoting the tourism sector in the State.
He called on other notable families in the State with historical potentials to emulate the Irefin Tourism foundation so as to diversify the State’s economy and gain more from foreign input into tourism.
Omokayode said the Irefin Palace Heritage Tourism Development Foundation has entered into an agreement with a foreign partner to train youths that are interested in tourism and send them abroad for the practical aspect of the job.
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