*Govt to renovate tourism sites, establish Hall of Fame for state’s heroes.
The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has said that the state government will collaborate with a private sector arts and culture company, Terra Kulture, to establish a film and entertainment village in the state.
The film village, according to the Governor, will help the state preserve the legacies of those who have pioneered and excelled in the fields of music, film, drama, and entertainment.
Governor Abiodun made this known when he received the Chief Executive Officer of Terra Kulture, Bolanle Austen Peters, in his Oke-Mosan office in Abeokuta. He stated that the Ogun State Government would be more than happy to invest in the project.
“From the onset of our administration, we always wanted to have some sort of creative arts and entertainment zone, but when we assumed office, the government was laden with so many priorities. We wanted to ensure that we first paid attention to matters that touch the lives of the people directly.
“Because it is only when you are comfortable and happy that you will begin to think of relaxing and being entertained; we had to do that.
“We are confident that we have not just accomplished that; we’ve made the most of it, and our focus in the last year has been on how to push the frontier in the areas of culture, music, and entertainment.
“We are in April, and I want to see the first phase of this project begin to evolve in the next 60 days, so we can perform a groundbreaking ceremony before the 60 days.
“We would be very happy to invest in it alongside you; we will have to entrust the running and operation of the film village to you as well,” he said.
Governor Abiodun also disclosed that his administration, as part of its decision to develop the culture and tourism sector of the state, has begun the restoration of some historic and architectural buildings at Olumo Rock.
He added that part of the plans for redeveloping the culture and tourism space of the state includes the restoration and painting of Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s mother’s home, MKO Abiola’s home, and the house where the Queen of England was received, in bright colors like blue and yellow.
“Going forward, we have begun to look at our heritage sites, and we are trying to work on them, restore them, and make them more attractive to our tourists. We have quite a few of them in Ogun State.
“We are compelled to ensure that the experience is pleasurable. To that extent, we have now begun to look at how to give our culture and our cultural sites a facelift, making them more appealing and, of course, hospitable.
“A few weeks ago, I was at Olumo Rock, and we are working hard to prepare it to receive visitors like never before in the next four weeks.
“Sometime in the middle of May, we will be hosting the National Sports Festival, which will see our state host about 12,000 to 15,000 people. This is major for us; we want to get our state ready for that number of people who will be coming here for the festival and also to explore what Ogun State has to offer,” he said.
The Governor also proposed the creation of a Hall of Fame that will tell the stories of heroes and stars of the state to younger generations.
Earlier in her remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of Terra Kulture, Bolanle Austen Peters, noted that her company is glad to associate with the state, stating that they are looking to develop a world-class tourist destination that will be the first of its kind in the country.
Austen Peters also said that her company is focused on celebrating Ogun State heroes and providing a home for them where people can come and learn more about the heroes of the state.
“We are focused on celebrating our Ogun State heroes. Many of you know that Ogun State has produced numerous musicians, actors, performers, and writers; the list is endless.
“From Fela to Wole Soyinka, they all come from here. We want to have a home for them where people will come, students will visit, and tourists will come to learn more about us. We will also have first-class studios where we can film, perform, and conduct any form of television program that we desire,” she said.
She added that Terra Kulture is in Ogun State to build an entire ecosystem around the cultural space in the state, noting that the film village, when completed, would help create more wealth for the state.
“This is an Ogun State project; we are just in partnership with them.
“Look at all the activities that will be happening here. There will be films, studios, and people will come in to make films in Ogun State from all over the world.
“Secondly, students will be educated; they will be able to do practical sessions, watch content being created, and there will be performances, ticket sales, restaurants, and accommodations available,” she added.
