In their quest to encouraging domestic tourism in Lagos State,Women In Business And Tourism, [WIBAT] Lagos led by Joanna Owolabi, the Zonal Vice President and Patricia Ozioma, the Lagos Chapter Head, stormed Epe town to celebrate World Tourism Day 2020.
In accordance with this year’s theme, ”Tourism And Rural Development” the women association took a bold initiative to explore the tourism, cultural, and business potentials of Epe town, a Lagos suburb.
‘’We thought it would be a great idea to bring Epe town to a global tourism search light as the world celebrates World Tourism Day and more importantly to promote the town as first choice for domestic tourism in Lagos going by what covid-19 caused”. said Joanna Owolabi.
The four day adventure to the alluring city of Epe started with a traditional rite with a homage to the Palace of HRH, Oba kamorudeen Animashaun, the Oloja of Epe who welcomed the group to his wondefull palace and was full of prayers and praise for the them.
The elated monarch expressed his satisfaction at the bold steps the women took by picking his domain as their choice when aiming at promoting domestic tourism on a special day dedicated to tourism. ”I’m very pleased to have you all in our midst, especially on this special day. let me assure you of our willingness to partner with you on future initiatives likes ” he submitted.
The group which was led by Princess Surah Animashaun, later presented a gift to the monarch who received it with a great appreciation.
The Epe tourism adventure also led to a courtesy visit to the Executive Chairman of Epe Local Government, Hon.Adedoyin Adesanya who received the group with much enthusiasm and all coutesies expressed his joy at such a bold step being taken by WIBAT to position Epe as one of tourism destinations in Lagos state.
He further stated that such a step is in line with the yearning of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-olu’s administration supporting the opening up suburbs like Epe and others to opportunities which tourism can bring to them. He further extolled the virtue of the women in [WIBAT] for coming up with the initiative during the tourism special day.
In a similar vein, the supervisor, envinroment and tourism Princess Surah Animashaun who played a very active role at facilitating the receptions at Epe was full of joy because WIBAT chose her town as a destination to commemorate WTD2020 in accordance with UNWTO’s theme.
They further visited many cultural, historical and educational spots within the town one of such is a spiritual visit to the sacred site called “Sugbon Eredo” forest,led by Mr. Adeleke Adesada,the Chairman Active Hunters Association-Epe Division, who took them on a historical journey about the biblical Queen of Sheeba-Bilikisu who once graced that part of the world centuries back according to the local legends. They also visited the popular Epe fish market where the market women leader- Madam Folasde Ojikutu,The Iyaloja of Epe received them and took them on a tour of the fish market.
Also at hand to welcome WIBAT group was Hon. Abiodun Tobun and other prominent politicians and dignitaries in Epe town.
It should be noted that this is the first time in the history of Epe town that a group of women in tourism would be on an adventure of such which has been adjudged as a successful one in all sense of a tourism exploration of Epe by all and sundry.
However the supervisor for envinroment and tourism, Princess Surah Animashaun thanked the women for the bringing that global attention to Epe town.
However, the Publicity Secretary of WIBAT, Abisoye Abati cleared the air on the claims making rounds about non permission to capture a certain tree at a spot . “As Africans there are certain decorums and procedures we follow before acting. As they say ‘if you find yourself in Rome you behave like the Romans’. This is what we were informed about in a reasonable manner. There is nothing much to it but above all, it was a great experience out there in Epe. We were well received by the good people of Epe.” she refuted.