Iyake Festival: Ado Awaye to become UNESCO recognized tourist site
The Chairman of the Iyake Development Partners, Sir Olawale Okunniyi, revealed that all is set to make the Iyake suspended lake, which happens to be the only one in the world, a UNESCO-certified tourist site with all the necessary facelift to meet the global standard.
Sir Okunniyi who revealed this during a press briefing organized to herald the annual Iyake Festival, said Ado Awaye has great tourism potential, both spiritual and natural endowments, saying it will be very difficult to develop them without proper human efforts.
“The Iyake Endowment is the most historical among the nation’s natural resources, but it was neglected because nobody has been talking about it, as we all know; we can’t find the depth of the lake, and there are seven wonders on the rock too.”
However, he revealed that the partnership has begun necessary contacts towards making the Iyake Lake a world heritage site, which will boost tourism activities in the state, Nigeria, and beyond.
The popular Iyake festival, which commenced on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, has come to an end over the weekend in Ado Awaye Iseyin Local Government of Oyo State.
The Alado of Ado Awaye Kingdom, Oba Ademola Olugbile, revealed during a press conference held in Ibadan that the Iyake festival is worth celebrating because of its cultural, spiritual, and academic benefits.
Oba Olugbile further highlighted that there are lots of differences in this year’s celebration, unlike the previous ones.
He said, “Through the involvement of the Iyake Development Partners, we have many things in place, such as stairs that lead to the lake and wire fencing, in order that people visiting will not abuse the spirituality of the lake.
Also speaking Erelu Tunwase, Hon. Lola Ajiun Ayonrinde, who came purposely to the country because of the Iyake Festival, said the time has come to expose Ado Awaye to the world because the development partners have written to all necessary global authorities to give Iyake Lake a global prominence.
Hon. Olusola Ayodele, also a member of the Iyake development partner, thanked all sons and daughters of Ado Awaye for their warmth and hospitable disposition to visitors that traveled from far and near to celebrate the annual festival.
He, however, assured them of an improved festival, subsequently from 2025, judging from the plans mapped out by the development partners to expand the festival beyond what it use to be
