The historical Irefin Palace in Ibadan, Oyo State, is being set to rival the Buckingham Palace in the United Kingdom, the Oyo State Government has said.
Buckingham Palace is reputed as an international tourist site that attracts multiples of peoples from across the globe.
Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun, Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism in Oyo State, spoke on Tuesday, on government’s plan to promote the palace for tourism in the state.
The Commissioner, while hosting members of the Irefin Royal Family at his office, said the state had entered into an agreement with private partners to promote tourist sites
The visitors are the descendants of Oba Onirefin who built the biggest palace with 125 rooms in the history of Yorubaland, during his reign, between 1912 to 1914.
The late monarch was renowned for his philanthropic efforts in promoting education.
Oba Onirefin was said to be the highest donor to the establishment of Ibadan Grammar School with the contribution of 100 pounds and the land upon which the school was built.
Olatubosun said the Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration in Oyo State, was committed to tourism development as a revenue driver.
He added that the state government had adopted the public-private-partnership model to develop 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 symbolises love, it symbolises 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 trooped 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,” he said.
The leader of the family, who doubled as the Coordinator of the Irefin Historical Palace Foundation, Prince Omokayode Ayinla Irefin, said the family was happy with the stride of the Oyo State Government towards promoting the tourism sector.
He said the Irefin Palace Heritage Tourism Development Foundation had entered into agreement with a foreign partner to train youths that are interested in tourism abroad for the practicals.
He urged 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.
