By Emma Njoku

Oyo State has started a state-wide sensitisation programme across all 33 local governments of the state aimed at awakening the consciousness of all hotel owners on the dangers of drug use, insecurity, cyber crime, human trafficking and kidnapping, among other crimes and criminality.

The programme, which is organised by the Oyo State Tourism Board, in association with Hoteliers Association of Oyo State, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigerian Immigration Services (NIS), State Intelligence Bureau (SIB), Department of State Services (DSS) and other government parastatals, is set to awaken the consciousness of all hospitality businesses in the state on issues bothering on drug use, cybercrime, human trafficking, kidnapping etc and put structures in place to gather more data and regulate the hospitality and tourism industry in the state.

Both the Chairman, Oyo State Tourism Board, Elder Adejumobi Adebowale and the President, Hoteliers’ Association of Oyo State, Chief Ayodele Ogundele of Davies Hotels, Ibadan, addressed journalists during the week and described the project as a ‘win win situation’. Others in attendance are Falola Olugbenga Sunday, Secretary, Tourism Board, Mrs Toyin Odugbesan,  Head, Advisory Committee; PRO, Hoteliers’ body, Mr. Kunle Adesanya, and Secretary, Hoteliers’ body, Comrade Jide Fadare, among other personalities.

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The first phase of the sensitisation project, which will be held from November 14-16, 2022 will cover all the zones across the state, except those within Ibadan city, while the second phase will be held across the LGAs within the city of Ibadan on a later date. Divided into three zones, the programme will start in Iseyin Zone on November 14 with Silver Palace Hotel, Iseyin as venue of Iseyin Zon, while Riverside Hotel, Gedu Area, serves as venue for Saki Zone.

The programme will shift to Ogbomoso and Oyo zones on November 15 with Ragerray Hotel and Suites, Isale General, Ogbomoso and Labamba Hotel, Oyo as venues, respectively. The programme will be rounded off in Ibarapa zone at De-Links Hotel, Idere on November 16.

Meanwhile, all hotels, guest houses, clubs, bars, lounges, restaurants, event centres, and all other hospitality businesses that are yet to register and recognised by the Oyo State Tourism Board, risk getting locked up as a penalty, in line with the Oyo State Tourism and Hospitality Law 2020, enacted by the House of Assembly of Oyo State of Nigeria and assented to by the Executive Governor of the state.

The Oyo State Tourism Board has, therefore, advised all hospitality organisations to fulfill their registration requirements on or before December 31, 2022, to avoid being sanctioned.