By Lekan Adejuwon
Following the frantic efforts by the Governor Biodun Oyebanji-led administration to tap into the fertile grounds of Tourism in Ekiti State through the creation of Bureau of Tourism Development, a landmark achievement was recorded yesterday at Ikoro Ekiti, headquarters of Eso-Obe LCDA as the town celeberated the annual Elefon festival amidst funfair, pomp and jubilation.
Unknown to many, the masquerades festival dated back to the 15th century and had been celebrated yearly as an indoor community affair but the uniqueness of the cultural fiesta attracted the attention of the Chairman, Eso-Obe LCDA. Hon. Kole Ayeni Moses who partnered Ekiti State Bureau of Tourism to organize the week long celebration whch commenced on February 18, 2024.
The grand finale of yesterday held at the palace Square of the Royal Father of the town was a gala event which was a combination of class taste and communal bond that promises to be one of the tourist attractions in Ekiti State in the subsequent years.
Spectators had a fun filled day watching the parade of major masquerades in the town as they emerged from the ‘land of the spirit’ to thrill the crowd with extastic dance steps and body movements which made loud statement that the ancient town has a lot to offer tourism sector in the state.
The youths in the town were the major attraction of the festival as they added color to Elefon Day festival in their uniforms while rival male youths from different quarters displayed love and unity using horsewhip to beat themselves without hurting each other.
The highpoint of the festival came with the introduction of the listed masquerades which entered the arcade to thrill the crowd with scintillating dance steps. The masquerades it was gathered, entertained the spectators in the order of seniority.
In a chat with our correspondent, the Royal Father of the town HRM Oba Dr. Olanrewaju Adebanji Adeleye, Atewogboye 111, the Olukoro of Ikoro Kingdom, clad with his beautiful Olori and the retinue of his chiefs, shed more lights on the festival which he described as one festival usually dedicated to the youths of the town.
According to him; “From our royal history compendium, Ikoro masquerades festival dated back to many years. History has it that these masquerades came to Ikoro at different times in history and they were not age mates because they are arranged in the order of seniority. Some had gone into extinction but the usual ones will converge today namely; Kekere Epa, Oloyiya, Agbo and Otokorojo’ These four masquerades will entertain the audience with their magical dance steps this evening” he said
The monarch, who commended the council chair for organizing such a befitting fiesta despite his barely one month in office noted that next year Elefon Day would be more elaborate.
Hon. Ayeni in a separate interview said he was motivated by the need to make the festival a global event and by extension a potential tourism potential in line with Governor Oyebanji’s commitment to boost the State tourism sector.
His words; “This festival used to be an internal affair of the community which we celebrate every year within the local community, but in appreciation of our Governor’s commitment to the Tourism sector and the huge encouragement from the Bureau of Tourism Development, I want to make Elefon a global event. I want to showcase Ikoro as a destination point for tourism to the global community because this is what we have and we have to project it to the world”
The DG Bureau of Tourism Development Amb Wale Ojo-Lanre represented by the Director Tourism Development, Mr J. O. Ogunsakin in a speech congratulated the monarch and the entire community for celebrating the annual festival in an atmosphere of peace and camaraderie.
He said the Bureau of Tourism Development in the state is committed to boosting the tourism industry with a view to achieve Governor Oyebanji’s tall dream of making Tourism a potential revenue earner in the state.
For making the bold Initiative of opening up Ikoro Ekiti to the outside world as a tourist destination point, an award certificate was presented to Ese-Obe council chairmen as the colourful event drew to a close
