By John Ikani
The management of Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort in Ekiti State says it is actively working towards gaining recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites are renowned for their outstanding cultural or natural value and are carefully selected by the World Heritage Committee for inclusion on the World Heritage List.
Recently awarded as Nigeria’s best holiday resort at the Hotel Managers Conference in Owerri, the resort’s General Manager, Lanre Balogun, highlighted its unique appeal to newsmen during the weekend.
According to him, “Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort is the only place in the world where warm and cold springs coexist,” a feature which makes it an exceptional phenomenon.
Balogun emphasized the significance of obtaining UNESCO recognition, stating, “Ikogosi Warm Spring should be a world heritage site, and we are actively working to get it registered under the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List. It’s a treasure the world needs to know about.”
In addition to their pursuit of UNESCO status, Balogun called on governments to play a supportive role in boosting the hospitality sector to create more job opportunities for Nigerian youths.
He believes that tapping into the country’s hospitality potential will yield significant economic benefits and help tackle unemployment.
“Government has no business doing business. We took the concession for certain years. To create jobs and boost the hospitality space in Nigeria. Let’s come back and invest massively in the hospitality space in Nigeria.
“Get our youths off the streets, to stop the ‘Japa’ syndrome and give them more jobs. Let us not take money out of Nigeria let us bring them here and invest the money in Nigeria that is what we are doing at Ikogosi.”
What you should know
Nigeria has two World Heritage Sites recognized by UNESCO.
• Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove is a sacred grove located in Osun State, Nigeria. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005. The grove is home to a variety of sacred trees, shrines, and artworks. It is also the site of the annual Osun-Osogbo Festival, which is a celebration of the goddess Osun.
• Sukur Cultural Landscape is a cultural landscape located in Adamawa State, Nigeria. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. The landscape is home to a variety of traditional settlements, farmlands, and water features. It is also the site of the Sukur Kingdom, which was a powerful kingdom in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Nigeria has also been nominated for several other World Heritage Sites, but they have not yet been approved.
