On Tuesday, the Senate plenary heard the first reading of a bill to create an Institute of Culture and Tourism, Oke-Igbo, in the Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo Local Government Area of Ondo State.
According to a statement by Tofowomo’s media aide, Mr Olumide Akinrinlola, the bill was sponsored by Sen. Nicholas Tofowomo (PDP Ondo South).
According to Tofowomo, tourism activities account for a significant portion of many countries’ Gross Domestic Products (GDP).
“So, I decided to present a bill for the establishment of the Institute of Culture and Tourism to improve sustainability in the tourism industry of Nigeria and generate revenues through it.
“I chose Oke-Igbo town as the institute’s location to honor the late Daniel Orowole Fagunwa, also known as D. O. Fagunwa, who was born in Oke-Igbo town and is credited with being the first Yoruba language novelist in Nigeria.
In the bush, the late Fagunwa authored his first novel, which focused on the people’s culture as well as folktale traditions, including stories about supernatural beings and elements like demons, witches, and wizards.
“Till date, late Fagunwa remains the most widely read Yoruba language author, who has also influenced other African authors to write novels in their mothers’ languages.
“His books did not just keep the culture and tradition of the African nation alive by influencing other authors, but have also kept the African languages alive not to go into extinction, because of the adoption of English as an official language by many African countries,” Tofowomo said.
Tofowomo also hails from Ile-Oluji in Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo LGA which was part of the six LGAs, comprising Okitipupa, Odigbo, Irele, Ilaje and Ese-Odo, under the southern senatorial district of the state.
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