EKIFEST celebrates local talents, promotes tradition

EKIFEST is creating necessary exposure for local talents while promoting the people’s tradition for excellence. Recently, Dr. John Fayemi Kayode led administration revived the arts and culture sector with the promotion of the state heritage at different levels. Ebere Chibuzor, writes on the recently concluded Ekiti state festival of arts and culture (EKIFEST).

Ekiti State Festival Of Arts and Culture(EKIFEST), made its debuts in 2012, with a lot of impactful activities which created market for local arts and crafts industries, especially the first and second editions.

EKIFEST, is a programme designed to stimulates economic activities in the state. Beyond its strength on retrievals of lost values, integrity, courage perseverance, commitment among others, this year’s festival with theme: “Arts And Culture For Restorations Of Values and Social – Economic Development”, featured cultural dance, syposium, live performances, wrestling and exhibitions.

The event which started at midday took place in three distinct venues including Ekiti Parapo Pavilion, Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort and Adetiloye Hall. It offered culture lovers real arts vibes and cultural troupe performances and other side attractions.

Highlights of the opening session were colourful and carnival ike parade by all the 16 local government areas, nollywood stars, artists and ethnic groups in the state as well as musical jamboree around the major streets of Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

During the 3-day show, some part of Ado Ekiti experienced business boom in the area of hospitality and transportion as the festival witnessed “who is who” in the culture world.

Prior to the event, the organisers set aside a day for Children Cultural Fiesta tagged KIDDIFEST, featuring kids from five to 12 years and over 1000 kids were in attendance.

The KIDDIFEST which took place at Motif Funland Stage Event Centre, Iworoko in Ado Ekiti, was meant to ursher in EKIFEST.

EKIFEST also presented Ifajuyigbe, an untold story of the Late Col.Adekunle Fajuyi(In command performance for EKIFEST 2019), written and directed by Rasaki Ojo Bakare at Adetiloye Hall, Iyin Road, Ado Ekiti.

A symposium which was one of the activities had panelists such as Veteran Yoruba actor Jimoh Aliu, Dr. Wale Okediran, Prof. Oladele, Wale Ojo Lanre, Hakeem Lasisi Kezia Oluwalogun, Prof. Rasaki Ojo Bakare and Alhaji Gani Ibrahim.

During the session the panelists acknowledged the enormous contributions of arts and culture to national development. They urged government at all levels and practitioners to do the needful.

The grand finale witnessed wrestling competition as a way of promoting arts and culture of the people. Speaking at the closing ceremony Fayemi thanked the the people for turning out en masse, adding that such celebrations requires apt attention.

Earlier, Fayemi on Wednesday announced an upgrade of the state’s Council for Arts and Culture to the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism.

He also disclosed the determination of his administration to increase its investment and exploits in the arts and culture sector for the economic prosperity of the state and its citizens.

Dr Fayemi gave the new Ministry the directive to consolidate on its various achievements, enhance the potential of creative practitioners and boost the Internally Generated Revenue of the State.

He added that the role of Arts and Culture as catalysts to progressive multiculturalism is gaining more recognition.

The Governor described EKIFEST as an economic and social strategy aimed at repositioning the creative industry of the State for optimal performance and drawing the attention of the global public to the unique landmarks of the State in tourism and culture.

“In Ekiti State, our cultural heritage keeps our memories alive of how beliefs and cultural expressions have contributed to the development of our society.

Ekiti is a state of rich artistic and cultural heritage and endowed with the abundance of talents. Our riches are well demonstrated through arts, dance, literature, music, food and folklore.”

“I commend the efforts of the Ekiti State Council for Arts and Culture towards the attainment of the target set for it.

We still want the council to go a step further by consolidating on the various achievements, enhancing the potential of creative practitioners and boosting the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of Ekiti State.

And to enhance the progress already made in the last year, I have decided to re-establish the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism for better synergy and integration”, the governor said.

Governor Fayemi who assured investors of necessary support and encouragement called on entrepreneurs to visit the various tourism corridors in the State and invest in them, stressing that their investment is not only secured but bound to yield good dividends.

In her welcome speech, the Chairperson of EKIFEST 2019 planning committee and Wife of the Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, said the festival was aimed at creating tourism attraction and enhance investment opportunities as well as create viable markets for local businesses.

Mrs Fayemi noted that the previous editions of the festival in 2012 and 2013 increased tourism visits to the State and created the needed exposure for the cultural infrastructure.

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“EKIFEST 2019 is designed towards the restoration of our core values as well as empowerment against the scourge of poverty. Our culture is a viable solution to several problems bedevilling our society.

It is in our culture to be diligent, honest and peace-loving. Our culture abhors laziness; our culture goes against the shirking of responsibilities”, she said.

In his address, the Director-General of the Council of Arts and Culture, Ambassador Wale Ojo-Lanre said Ekiti people are gradually getting used to EKIFEST as an economic diversification project. He urged the people to promote Ekiti tradition for excellence.

Ojo-Lanre thanked Fayemi for providing the wherewithal for the resuscitation of the Council which has helped remove the State from the blacklist of absentee States at both local and international cultural festivals.