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Ijoko Rimi is Tourism Product of the week, says Otunba Wanle Akinboboye

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Tourism icon, Otunba Olawanle Akinboboye, has disclosed that the 24th tourism product of the week, is Ijoko Rimi. Though it may appear similar to last week’s presentation of is (Simi Rimi), it has distinct features that provides a complete different water experience from last week’s tourism product.

 

‘Ijoko Rimi’ according to him, is a Yoruba term that means ‘sit on water’.

 

Once again, this item is produced locally from wood and recycled vegetable oil kegs. However, rather than being designed as a floating bed, it incorporates the seating portion of a plastic chair (what’s left after you cut off the chair’s legs) to create an apparatus that will enable tourists gently float on water while relaxing in a seated position.

 

He then mentioned that the apparatus is also designed in a way that would facilitate sports fishing, so that keen anglers can spend a relaxing day attempting to catch fish.

The materials this apparatus uses are eco friendly and aligned to the recycling culture currently being promoted world – wide. This is obviously very useful in a country like Nigeria where plastic chairs and kegs are widely used and discarded.

 

He noted that the sitting feature in Ijoko Rimi can be harvested from chairs that would normally be condemned and added to our environmental waste because their legs aren’t functioning correctly and are no longer able to support anyone’s weight.

 

The fact this equipment uses recycled material means it can be produced at a very cheap cost, which will also impact on the cost of using the water sport activity it promotes.

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Ijoko Rimi can provide a basis for youth employment, as enterprising youths can establish water sport centers that use Ijoko Rimi only and which centers can be patronized by people in the cadres of society that are normally unable to patronize recreational water sport centers that use expensive water sport equipment like speed boats, kayak and so on.

It will also generate employment for those responsible for the manufacture and maintenance of this wholly indigenous apparatus.

 

Otunba Akinboboye reiterated that Ijoko Rimi could be used for ‘sport fishing’ as individuals can relax and float around on the water while casting their fishing rods and hoping for a passing fish to bite.

 

Nigeria, he said, has an abundance of river fish, which includes tilapia, giwan ruwa (Nile perch) boney tongue and cat fish. Though aware that, for example, there is tilapia in Europe, such fishes were raised in fish farms so European fishermen may enjoy catching wild fish in their natural habitat.

 

He emphasized that sports fishing is a growing tourism sector. According to Future Market Insights (FMI), the fishing tourism sector is estimated at US$ 72 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach US$ 211 billion in 2033.

An analyst, Rohnak Shah, in discussing the growth in this segment of the tourism market attributed same to the fact that fishing tourism offers consumers a calming and fun tour, where they are closer to serene rivers or seas, and learn new skills. The need of consumers to be closer to nature has thus positively benefited the market while giving tourism firms a key selling point for their tour packages.

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Obviously it would be great if Nigeria could plug into this growing tourism market by introducing an unusual and unique but comfortable way for sports fishermen to pursue their hobby while exploring other aspects of Nigeria’s vista and culture.

Otunba Akinboboye noted that other countries were also leveraging off eco – friendly water sport products that tied into their culture to create tourism experiences. For example, in Indonesia, in an attempt to boost the fishing tourism sector, a fishing boat was created with a touch of Pasuruan cultural heritage, which is indigenous to a region in East Java. It was hoped that the design would attract the tourists’ attention by presenting them with a local heritage fishing experience.

 

The Kanger Valley National Park, which is a popular tourist destination in Chhattisgarh, India, has also introduced Bamboo rafting as an adventure activity. These bamboo rafts, which are made of bamboo poles tied together with ropes and steered by expert rafters using long poles that were traditionally used by local tribes for transportation and fishing.

 

Otunba Akinboboye emphasized that Ijoko Rimi could be used for activities other than fishing and he merely focused on that aspect of its use because he wanted to point out a growth sector of tourism that was not currently being addressed in Nigeria and which could be aligned with this particular product.

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Otunba Akinboboye said that the focus on developing and using eco – friendly water apparatus that has a cultural twist is a case of taking advantage of ones advantages.

 

He also mentioned that, by using recycled plastic items, which is a material that is a by – product of the mainstay of our economy – petroleum, we would be promoting a ‘360 degree Waste to Wealth Culture’ that was in tune with modern thinking and could be used as a definite selling point when marketing our tourism products and activities locally and internationally.

Otunba Akinboboye explained that the creation of Ijoko Rimi, is part of his quest to provide tourism products that are unique to Nigeria and which could attract tourists intent on undertaking adventures outside of their ‘usual’ experiences.

 

He also emphasized that this unique water sports apparatus is aligned with the government’s push to create employment, encourage indigenous manufacturing and reduce importation.

 

We hope you found the discussion about Ijoko Rimi as fascinating as we did and look forward to learning about the other tourism products Otunba Akinboboye has within his creative and African focused portfolio.

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Bobrisky donates chairs to Kirikiri prison

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Embattled crossdresser, Idris Okuneye, better known as Bobrisky, who was jailed for abuse of the Naira has reportedly donated plastic chairs to the National Correctional Service (NCoS) Kirikiri prison.

 

It would be recalled that Bobrisky entered a guilty plea in court and was sentenced to six months imprisonment without an option of fine.

 

The controversial crossdresser appears to have donated plastic chairs for the NCoS Kirikiri’s visitor area, according to recent reports circulating online.


The viral photo of the plastic chairs was captioned: “On behalf of Bobrisky for the National Correctional Service Kirikiri for the visiting area.”

READ  Otunba Wanle Akinboboye builds business-bridge to link Diaspora investors with local SMEs
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Sex for marks: UNN suspends, probes lecturer ‘attempting to sexually assault’ student

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The University of Nigeria (UNN) has suspended a lecturer, identified as Mfonobong Udoudom, over what it described as an “inappropriate affair” with a student.

 

On Tuesday, the senior lecturer of General Studies is seen in viral videos pacing back and forth in his office, visibly panicked, and clothed in his underpants.

 

Sources at the university disclosed that the lecturer was “caught pants down attempting to have sex with a married female student of the school”.

 

The sources alleged that Udoudom had long been in the practice of only “passing female students after sleeping with them”.

 

It was alleged that he made a female student understand she wouldn’t pass his course unless she submitted herself for sexual intercourse with him.

 

One of the sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the female student planned with her husband to entrap the lecturer while working with UNN security and other students.

READ  Week 23 Tourism Product is, ‘Simi Rimi’, says tourism icon, Otunba Wanle Akinboboye

 

The student source further said the security agents forcefully broke into his office and caught the lecturer “in action”.

 

“It was planned out with her husband and security agents in the school. The female was made to approach the lecturer to offer him money in order to scale through his course. He refused and insisted he needed to have sexual intercourse with her in his office,” the source said.

 

“When the lady succumbed to his demands and asked him to undress, he was caught wearing only boxers.”

 

In the now-viral footage, a witness is heard saying: “We have been following this case from day one. We have all the chats, voice notes, video calls, and every conversation he had with the female student”.

 

The UNN management confirmed that Udoudom has now been suspended.

 

Okwun Omeaku, UNN’s acting media spokesperson, said the senior lecturer will be made to face the staff disciplinary panel.

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“The indefinite suspension is with immediate effect pending the outcome of a disciplinary panel constituted by the university to investigate the incident,” he said.

 

“UNN has a zero tolerance for sexual misconducts involving our staff and students.

 

“We are committed to protecting our students from any form of abuse and exploitation. The university management will not hesitate to punish Mr. Mfonobong David Udoudom according to our rules if he is found guilty.”

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Tourism Icon, Otunba Wanle Akinboboye’s Tourism product No 28 is ‘Transforming Attractions to Destinations

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In delivering this week’s tourism product, Otunba Olawanle Akinboboye, apologized over the delay, which he attributed to his rather very tight schedule, and work on a project related to this week’s tourism product as well.

 

He recalled that, in the last 40 years development of the tourism industry in Nigeria, he has always stressed the importance of creating tourism destinations.

 

Otunba Akinboboye said that, Nigeria has numerous geographical and other attractions that includes beaches, hills, waterfalls, historical landmarks and so on. However, it has failed to transform many of these tourist attractions into tourism destinations, which is essential in creating a viable tourism industry in Nigeria and providing employment and economic empowerment to numerous communities across Nigeria.

 

The tourism icon, Otunba Olawanle Akinboboye explained that, when tourists visit an attraction, they will only expend money at that location if it contains infrastructure that encourages such expenditure. The required infrastructure includes decent accommodation, places to eat and drink, apparatus for sporting and leisure activities, tourist knick knacks and so on.

 

When such infrastructure is present. it enhances the tourism experience and encourage the tourist (whether local or international) to spend the money he has put aside for his visit. It also encourages repeat visits.

 

By providing things the tourist wants to use or purchase at a tourism attraction, you encourage him/her to spend, and this ultimately benefits the economies of the communities in the immediate vicinity of the attraction.

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Otunba Akinboboye emphasized that tourist attractions, by themselves, do not bring sustained and significant economic upliftment to the communities in which they are located. It is only when such attractions have been transformed into tourism destinations that their adjacent communities can truly take advantage of the economic advantages they give rise to.

 

Otunba Akinboboye mentioned that in Nigeria there are 774 Local Government Areas. He also noted that each local government area contains at least one potential tourism attraction which, if properly presented and managed, could become a tourism destination.

 

While there may be a fear that transforming so many attractions into destinations would be extremely expensive, Otunba Akinboboye is of the view that the current world focus on Eco – tourism means that countries like Nigeria could build tourism destinations that are targeted at eco tourists, and which can leverage off traditional architecture and used equipment for sports and activities that has a traditional bent.

This would give our tourism destinations an African ambiance and promote our culture in a manner that would appeal to international tourists that are focused on obtaining new and unique experiences through tourism.

 

In support of his thinking, Otunba Akinboboye pointed to the rise of luxury camping trips or glamping in Europe and in Kenya. This involved the use of tent as accommodation. He also spoke about the thousands of European tourists that backpacked through Asia and stayed in fairly basic accommodation so they could experience something new.

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Otunba Akinboboye then spoke about his experience developing a tourism attraction into a tourism destination. He noted that when he first came across attraction, it consisted of a site bordered by the ocean and which contained both a lagoon and mangrove forest. Although those three natural features were interesting, they would not have attracted the tourism traffic required to make them economically beneficial.

 

He therefore weaved a Resort – La Campagne Tropicana – around these natural attractions. In particular he built unique accommodation, installed sporting facilities and made provision for African centrex entertainment. By doing this, he transformed these natural attractions into a tourism destination which local and international tourists could visit for recreation.

 

Otunba Akinboboye noted that the transformation of these attractions to a tourism destination provided economic benefits for the surrounding communities. The Resort employs workers from the surrounding villages and therefore generate employment for young people who otherwise would have migrated to the city. The closest village; Ikegun, which, when the Resort was first founded, could d only boast of 4 concrete structures now counts its concrete houses in hundreds and even has its own petrol station.

 

Otunba Akinboboye mentioned that he was currently transforming a tourism attraction in Ondo town, Ondo, which consists of rocky hills, caves and forest, into a tourism destination, which will take the form of Resort.

He mention that the Resort, which was nearing completion, made use of the the caves to create a unique ‘restaurant’ and‘ night club’, which unlike other so called cave restaurants was completely natural not man made.

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The Resort also provide accommodation that is aligned to the Afrocentric architecture used by the La Campagne brand.

It was anticipated that visitors to the Ondo Resort would be able to hike in the forest, while swimming in the pools that form part of the Resort and playing tennis on its tennis court.

 

Otunba Akinboboye noted that in line with the operating procedures he adopted, while transforming tourism attractions to tourism destination, which he refers to as SCC – Structure – Culture and Clientele – he would now be focusing on generating clientele for the new Resort.

 

He mentioned that the Ondo Resort would be hosting an Asun Carnival on 27 April 2024. This carnival leverages off and celebrates ‘Asun’ a popular culinary item synonymous with the people of Ondo.

 

The carnival will feature colourful costumes, street dancing and plenty of opportunities to eat Asun.

 

The tourism icon said, he will be happy to host any of our readers who would like to visit the Resort and participate in the Asun carnival on 27 April 2024, which is coincidentally the day on which the Resort will be officially declared open.

 

We hope you have enjoyed hearing about the creation of tourism destination from a tourism guru and we look forward to further opportunities to benefit from his wealth of experience on growing tourism in Nigeria.

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