By David Oluwayemi
A popular traditional ruler in Osun State and Akinla of Erin-Ijesa in Oriade Local Government Area, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Isaac Adeyeba Ayeni has beckoned on tourism enthusiasts across Nigeria and in the Diaspora to rally the ancient community in assuring the full potentialities of the renowned waterfalls.
The monarch made the call while addressing the enthusiastic crowd and picnickers who had graced the grand finale of this year’s Iro traditional festival of Erin-Ijesa which coibcided with the Easter celebrations on Saturday.
Lowabisi, the chief priest of Iro, had used the occasion of the Ije, that is, the 7th Day ceremony signifying the closure of the festival, to pay tribute to the royal father.
In his address, the Akinla reiterated his earlier calls on the Government of Osun State to do the needful by rehabilitating the 1.5kilometre main access road to the waterfalls so as to cushion the hardship of the teeming tourists to the site, and also to further attract willing investors.
The traditional ruler also appealed to the various security operatives lncluding the military formations in the area to rise up to their responsibilities and boost security in and around the Erin-Ijesa Waterfalls to further guarantee the safety of tourists to the site.
The Akinla of Erin-Ijesa assured genuine investors of the community’s readiness to support their initiatives at all times.