The Oyo State Government has presented cheques to owners of the land to be used for the proposed Ironsi-Fajuyi Memorial Park and Garden. The Park is to be located at Lalupon, Lagelu Local Government Area of the state.
The presentation of cheques ceremony held at the Governor’s Office, Ibadan, on Thursday. Deputy Governor, Hon. Moses Alake Adeyemo presented the cheques on behalf of Governor Abiola Ajimobi.
Ajimobi expressed government’s determination to establish the tourist site and erect a national monument to immortalize two great Nigerian heroes.
Major General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi was the first Head of the Federal Military Government of Nigeria. Lieutenant Colonel Francis Adekunle Fajuyi was the first Military Governor of the defunct Western Region of Nigeria. The two of them were assassinated on July 29, 1966.
Significance of Ironsi-Fajuyi Memorial Park
According to Ajimobi, the establishment of the park was government’s efforts at promoting inter-tribal unity and love. He said Ironsi and Fajuyi’s death represents sacrifices for Nigeria’s
Ajimobi also said the park was a step towards tourism development in the state.
His words: “We are ready to make Oyo State as a destination of choice for tourists, improve socio-economic activities, create employment opportunities and boost Internally Generated Revenue. 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 long Tortoise at the palace of Soun of Ogbomoso, amongst others.”
Governor Ajimobi stressed that the government would continue to utilize the presence of the tourist sites in the state to improve its socio-economic status.
Appreciation and hopes for Ironsi-Fajuyi Memorial Park
Speaking earlier, the state Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Toye Arulogun, noted that the Ironsi-Fajuyi Memorial Park would not be a South West monument but a national one.
In their responses, the Balogun of Lalupon, Chief Gbadeyan Omoniyi, representatives of the cheque recipients, Colonel Femi Idowu and Mrs. Folashade Adeyemo expressed their appreciation to the state government for considering it worthy to compensate the owners of the land.
Chief Ominiyi noted: “I thank God that the state government is fulfilling its promises of compensating the land owners and for its initiative to honour our heroes. We believe that the project will be beneficial to both Lalupon community and the state.
