Mare festival... waxes stronger, sets Ondo aglow ! | 
by Remi Oladoye , Daily Times
The mountains and hills of Idanre recently danced to the rythm of music in celebration of a new status injected to their domain by the government of Ondo State who is transforming it to a preferred tourist destination.
The festive mood enveloped all and sundry, up to the Owa Of Idanre and his chiefs during the just concluded 2014 Annual Mare Festival which also wit- nessed the official commission- ing of the Idanre Mountain Re- sort and Relaxation Center, an initiative that has transformed Idanre Hill to a resort of inter- national standard.
Mare festival is an annual mountain climbing and sport- ing events used to celebrate the cultural heritage of the people of Ondo State. It started five years ago with the aim of exposing the culture and tour- ism potentials of the state, par- ticularly the uniqueness of the conference of mountains to the world. It is also an avenue to de- velop local mountaineers and other talents in the sport and entertainment industry.
The fifth edition kicked off with an opening event attended by the chief tourism promoter in Nigeria, the Director General of the Nigeria Tourism Development Commission (NTDC), Mrs Sally Mbanefo and other stake- holders in the industry as they witnessed the official commis- sioning of the Idanre Mountain Resort and relaxation Center.
While commissioning the re- sort and the habitat, the gover- nor of the state represented by the Chief of Staff, Dr Kola Ade- mujimi, in his address, said the resort was part of the agenda of his administration to make Idanre a tourism destination in the country: “Nigeria cannot rely on oil alone as a source of revenue, we are tapping this natural wonders and resources in our state to generate revenue, and at the same time create em- ployment opportunities for our teeming youths, also to boost the creative industry.
“Ondo state is blessed with a lot of potential and we cannot but continue to develop these potentials and maximize it for the growth of our economy and promotion of our natural re- sources, culture and heritage.
Mrs Sally Mnabefo expressed her satisfaction at the ongoing development in the state. In an elated mood, she told the gath- ering that Ondo State was one of the best among the states and advised the people to key into the promotion of her policy of domestic tourism.
She said, “I feel at home anytime I come to Ondo State because of the large deposit of tourism potentials and how the government is working on them to make them functional for the economic benefit of the state.
“Within my short stay in the office as the Director General of the NTDC, I have toured over 20 states and participated in many festivals; but south West par- ticularly Ondo state is the best. The development of tourism, particularly the resort is an awe- some and amazing experience. It is quite fascinating and makes one’s visit to the state a memo- rable one. This resort is another testimony to the transforma- tional work of the state govern- ment and the state governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko and his entire cabinet deserve commendations for this talking about Ondo State as the people are hospitable, the environment is good and they have an amazing sites. Their festival particularly Mare is one of the international festivals that is recognized by the NTDC. “The local participation is very encouraging and I want to encourage the government not to allow this vision to die as Ondo State is gradually taking a lead in the tourism in Africa. Mbanefo said, adding, “I will continue to partner with Ondo on Mare and other events that will positively affect the growth of culture and tourism in the
state.
Mrs Mbanefo also announced the success of her negotiation with Overland Airways, which will now connect Akure- Abuja, and Akure-Lagos.
This, she said, would enhance the movement of tourists and fun-seekers to Idanre and other tourism sites in the state. Indeed, the NTDC director general joined the traditional dancers to dance the local beats a development that cheered the crowd to no end.
The participation of local artistes made this year’s festival more interesting as it showcased budding talents in music and other sports events.
Dr Wanle Akinboboye while welcoming guests to the events said, “The essence of celebrating the festival is not just to dance and celebrate alone, but also to create a platform that will showcase and encourage talents in Ondo State. In all the sports, we have young ones actively participating and doing wonderfully well. The budding artistes are also discovered and encouraged and this will be a continuous exercise.
While addressing the crowd at the grand finale, the state governor, Dr Segun Mimiko said, “This is a realisation of our dream to make Ondo State the number one tourism destination in Nigeria. I have no doubt in my mind that with the best of our creativity we shall bring Idanre to global attention and MARE will be the best in the world. “
He however commended the people of Idanre and their traditional rulers for their support in the building of the resort. He assured the participants that the coming year would be better, “as there will be new dimensions and introduction of other things into the festival. By next year, the Atosin Golf Course would have been ready with staff clubs and hotels while more wooden edifices would have been erected here for the convenience of our tourists,” he said.
While receiving the award of Brand Domestic Tourism for the year 2014 from The Guild of Tourism Journalists Association of Nigeria (GTJ), Mimiko said, “We will continue to do the needful to promote domestic tourism In Nigeria having realized that tourism is a veritable tool in promoting our economy and engaging the younger gen- erations.”
President of the GTJ, Comrade Wale Ojo Lanre, in an inter- active session with journalists shortly after the presentation of the award, said the recognition was buoyed by the consistency of the governor in the celebration of Mare Festival and other cultural events in the state.
He said, “Mare is becoming a festival that will soon be drawing participants from all over the world because of the consistency and the introduction of innovations into the programme. It is now a brand in mountaineering.
“The governor’s effort in creating a tourism hub in Ondo
State is acknowledged and we use this award to appreciate
and encourage him not to relent while imploring other governors to emulate him.”
Not many people who have visited the base of Idanre Hill before could identify the hitherto bushy place as it has been turned into a resort of international standard with all the components therein. The resort has a functioning bar, open stage, swimming pool, indoor game centre and a wooden house which displays immense creativity of the tourism impresario Ambassador Wande Akin
