By Editor
A new set of beneficiaries of Ekiti Arts Endowment Fund were yesterday, presented with cheques to boost their professional proficiency and enlarge their coasts in the arts and creative industry.
The presentation ceremony organized by the Ekiti State Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, was at the instance of the State Governor Mr Biodun Oyebanji in furtherance of his Shared Prosperity Agenda.
Addressing the beneficiaries at the epoch making event held at the Ekiti State Cultural center in Ado Ekiti, the Commissioner for Arts Culture and Creative Economy, Prof. Rasaki Ojo Bakare expressed the Governor’s love for the Arts and creative sector as a key sector of the economy noting that the Arts Endowment Fund was an initiative of the Federal Government dated back to 1989 which has never been implimented by any state governments in the country.
His words; “Since the policy was initiated by the Babangida administration in 1989/1990, it’s only Ekiti State and our Governor that has implimented it and because of the love he has for those working in the sector, he decided to impliment it first in 2024 this year, and by the grace of God next year too, we will not skip any year”
He urged beneficiaries to be faithful and fulfill their own obligation of gradual payback so as to make the policy annually sustainable because of its revolving nature adding that the beneficiaries should appreciate the Governor for the rare kind gesture.
“While congratulating all our beneficiaries, I enjoined all of us to continue to thank Mr Governor, His Excellency Mr Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji for this laudable gesture, this vision and expression of kindness for our sector and those who work there. I think the least we can do is to continue to support his government especially his ambition to return to office for the second term. The election is less than a month from now and I know if there’s any sector that the stakeholders will support Mr Governor come June 20, it would be this sector. That is the only way we would not be seen as ungrateful people”
Speaking further, Ojo Bakare appealed to the beneficiaries to begin to pay back when the time comes so as to allow others in the industry to benefit from the scheme saying that they have been given a six month moratorium, 7% interest rate and 24 minths to pay back describing it as one of the softest loan anywhere in the world.
Giving the breakdown of the lucky beneficiaries, the Commissioner said they are classified as associations, companies, and individuals’ creative artists who have been proven to running a genuine business in the creative economy under a mutual agreement with Premium Trust Bank which handles the payment and pay back transactions
Prince Banji Adelusi, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Arts Culture and Creative Economy performed the presentation ceremony amidst wild jubilation by the beneficiaries.
About 50 beneficiaries were presented with the Arts Endowment Fund cheques with the least coasting home with N200, 000
They included: Association of Musicians, Egbe Oniyailu, Crestfield Center for Arts and Creative Development, Print Multi Media, Ologunsima, Kadara Arts, Dino Music Entertainment, Folamite Beads, Niyi Bright Music, Okat Creative Concepts, Irinajo Art Crafts, Laolu Entertainment, Chief Dele Koko and His Native Band, Aramide Crafts amongst others.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Chief Dele Koko expressed their gratitude to the Ekiti State Governor for the kind gesture extended to the Arts and Creative sector describing it as unprecedented in the history of Ekiti saying that the the scheme will go a long way to reduce poverty and unemployment especially in the Arts and creative sector which had been neglected in the past.
He expressed optimism that the June 20 governorship election will be a walk over for Governor Oyebanji as the entire body of creative sector have declared their intention to vote massively for the governor while urging all the beneficiaries to redeem the soft loan facility as at when due to pave way for other beneficiaries.
The event was graced by top officials of the Ministry led by the Prof Ojo Bakare, the PS, Prince Adelusi and directors in the Ministry as well as newsmen.
