Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi yesterday presented cheques to owners of the land to be used for the proposed Ironsi-Fajuyi Memorial Park and Garden at Lalupon, Lagelu Local Government Area.
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Moses Alake Adeyemo, at the presentation held at the Exco Chambers of the Governor’s Office, Ibadan, noted that the establishment of the Ironsi-Fajuyi Memorial park is the government’s gesture at promoting inter-tribal unity and love within the nation.
Ajimobi said the government is determined to establish a tourist site and erect a national monument to immortalise Maj- Gen Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, the First Head of the Federal Military Government and Lit-Col Francis Adekunle Fajuyi, the first Military Governor of the defunct Western Region, who were both assassinated on July 29, 1966.
The governor explained that tourism development would give economic freedom to the state, adding that his administration is committed to a holistic transformation and repositioning of the state’s cultural tourism potentials.
“It is informative to add that there are numerous tourist sites in Oyo State, such as the newly developed Agodi Gardens, Captain Bower’s Tower, Ado-Awaye Suspended Lake, Irefin Palace, Alaafin’s Palace, Adegoke Adelabu’s Home, aged Tortoise at the palace of Soun of Ogbomoso, amongst others.”
Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism Toye Arulogun said the park, after completion, will not just be a Southwest affair but a monument to be celebrated and visited by the nation.
The Balogun of Lalupon, Chief Gbadeyan Omoniyi, representatives of the cheque recipients, Col Femi Idowu and Mrs. Folashade Adeyemo thanked the government.