By Victor Ogundipe
Barrister Wale Ojo-Lanre, Director-General of the Ekiti State Bureau of Tourism Development, has been honoured with the Tourism Trailblazer Award by the South West Hoteliers Association of Nigeria in recognition of his enduring contributions to tourism development and hospitality growth in Nigeria.
The honour was conferred on him during the Gala Dinner Night organised by the South West Hoteliers Association at Amazing Grace Event Center, Ado-Ekiti, as part of activities marking the close of its 5th Biennial Conference.
Though it was a single award, it was symbolically presented with two plaques—one golden and one silver—underscoring the association’s deep appreciation of Ojo-Lanre’s steadfast commitment to the advancement of tourism and hospitality in Ekiti State, the South West and Nigeria at large.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Oluomo Jamiu Talabi, said Barrister Wale Ojo-Lanre was singled out for the honour because of his consistency, passion and practical support for the tourism and hospitality industry over the years.
According to Talabi, Ojo-Lanre’s relationship with the South West Hoteliers Association is not recent, but one built on years of commitment, presence and meaningful contributions.
“I am glad to inform you that the Director-General of the Ekiti State Bureau of Tourism Development, Barrister Wale Ojo-Lanre, was an active participant at the first South West Zone conference of the Hoteliers Association about 10 years ago, when he delivered a goodwill message as the Tourism Editor of the Nigerian Tribune,” Talabi said.
He added that the same Ojo-Lanre, now serving as Director-General of the Ekiti State Bureau of Tourism Development, was also the Guest Speaker at the association’s 4th Biennial Conference held two years ago.
Talabi further stated that at this year’s conference, Barrister Ojo-Lanre again demonstrated uncommon commitment by not only delivering the keynote address, but also facilitating a memorable tour of Arinta Waterfall, Ipole-Iloro, for members of the association and supporting virtually all the activities of the conference in Ekiti State.
“The Association has not received such unflinching support from an individual. We are not only grateful to him, but proud to appreciate his immense contributions with this award. He is a true trailblazer. He has done well,” Talabi declared.
Also speaking, the President of the Hoteliers Association of Nigeria, Ekiti State Branch, Hon. Akin Abimbola, described Barrister Ojo-Lanre as a strong pillar of the association in Ekiti State and a dependable partner in the growth of the hospitality sector.
Abimbola said Ojo-Lanre has distinguished himself as a tourism promoter with unusual energy, bold ideas and a relentless passion for success.
“He is an agrarian tourism promoter who pushes his efforts with ferocious passion for success. We are grateful to him for the success of this conference,” Abimbola said.
Widely known as “Alárìnká Àgbáyé”—the global traveller—Barrister Ojo-Lanre has built a formidable reputation as one of Nigeria’s most visible tourism advocates. Having travelled to over 86 countries, he has consistently projected Nigeria’s tourism and cultural heritage to the world while using his experiences to deepen tourism conversations and development at home.
His recent activities have further reflected that commitment. During the Easter period, he led the Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Princess Monisade Afuye, alongside the Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti, HRM Oba Samuel Adu Adejimi, government officials and hiking enthusiasts, to unveil the Ugele Rock site in Ikere-Ekiti. The event drew significant attention to Ekiti State’s rich but underexplored tourism assets and reinforced efforts to position the state as a leading destination for domestic tourism.
Industry stakeholders at the conference said the honour bestowed on Ojo-Lanre was well deserved, noting that his interventions in policy advocacy, destination promotion, tourism awareness and stakeholder mobilisation have continued to leave visible footprints in the sector.
For many of those present at the Gala Night, the Tourism Trailblazer Award was more than a ceremonial recognition. It was a loud affirmation that Barrister Wale Ojo-Lanre has become a driving force in the continuing push to place tourism and hospitality at the centre of economic growth and destination development in Nigeria.
