By Gbenga Ojikutu
Ekiti State Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy has commenced sensitization visits to Local Government Councils and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) n the state with a view to soliciting support and mobilizing them towards preparation for the State flagship festival, Ekiti State Festival of Arts and Culture (EKIFEST).
Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Prof Rasaki Ojo Bakare led other top officials of the Ministry on a visit to Ado-West Local Development Area and Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Council on Friday.
During his visit to Ado-Ekiti West Local Council Development and Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Headquarters, Prof Bakare informed the Executive Chairmen Hon (Prince) Adebolu Aladesanmi and Hon Gbenga Oluwatuyi that EKIFEST was a platform for Discovery and exhibition of creative potentials of the people in the grassroots.
EKIFEST, according to him, was established by the last administration in 2022 to act as a platform to showcase creative and artistic talents, create exposure for locally made crafts, enhance job creation, promote resourcefulness as well as revitalize artistic learning through healthy competition.
The Commissioner solicit the Chairmen’s support in in ensuring the participation of their contingents at the festival which is slated to hold in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital, between 6th and 10th of August, 2024.
He pledged the Ministry’s commitment towards enhancing productive engagement of the youths using programmes such as EKIFEST as a tool. He therefore called for the commitment of both Chairmen towards a successful
hosting of the Festival.
In his response, the Chairman of Ado-Ekiti West LCDA Prince ‘Bolu Aladesanmi expressed appreciation to the Hon Commissioner for the visit, which, he said, has shed more lights on the oncoming festival. He said he had held meetings with relevant stakeholders about the event as soon as he got the initial notification while thanking the Hon Commissioner and his team for the visit.
In a related development, the Chairman of Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government, Hon Gbenga Oluwatuyi commended the Ministry for the visit expressing his surprise while commending the Commissioner for personally leading the Sensitization team.
He assured the Ministry of his support and preparedness to ensure his team comes out top in the competitions.
The Council boss said he was encouraged by what he witnessed during the just concluded Osun festival therefore noting that his council was considering an investment that would attract huge receipts of revenue to the Council through cultural heritage.
According to an authorized source in the Ministry, the sensitization tour which commenced on Friday is expected to take the team to all the remaining 36 LGAs and LCDAs in Ekiti State before it rounds off in the second week of June, 2024
