By Editor
In line with Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s policy thrust on Shared Prosperity, the Ekiti State Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy has announced a number of novel initiatives for the people of Ekiti State in 2024 and beyond.
At a well attended press conference and stakeholders meeting held today at the office of the Ekiti State Commissioner for Arts Culture and Creative Economy Prof. Rasaki Ojo-Bakare, the Ministry unveiled bold initiatives aimed at fostering creativity and economic growth in the state in 2024 and beyond.
The Professor of Dance in his opening address said, the three groundbreaking initiatives which had been approved by the state governor for immediate implementation include; Economic development of the creative arts businesses in the state.
His words; “Under the above is embedded Arts Endowment fund where the Ministry is activating the endowment fund as a direct intervention to provide financial support for practicing artists in the state. This is to ensure that creative minds have the resources needed to bring their visions to life”
In addition Prof. Ojo Bakare announced another initiative of the Ministry he described as Talent Development.
“This initiative is a comprehensive 5-month training program to cultivate and enhance the skills of emerging talents in all the creative arts sectors namely; music, dance, acting, sculpting, paintings and crafts making, digital content creation and so on. After training, a take-off grant will be given to empower graduates of the program to start their artistic businesses” he said.
The Commissioner in the same vein, unveiled the second category of the initiatives which falls under provision of Infrastructure.
“I hereby announce to you that we are starting the construction of a state-of-the art Ekiti State Cultural Centre in Ado Ekiti. This infrastructure will be a unique one as it will be proper Cultural Centre in the real sense of the word because it will provide a working space for our stakeholders in the performing arts, visual arts and souvenir production as well as culinary arts equipped with Arts an Theatre, a Museum and Gallery of Arts, a Multi-Purpose hall, an exhibition and sales point, Bush bar and kitchen amongst other amenities”
The third category according to the honourable Commissioner, centers on activities aimed at promoting culture and heritage both within and outside Ekiti State.
His words; “These include working with our kabiyesis and their local communities to repackage, reform and restructure our traditional festivals for community economic empowerment as the Ministry recognizes the the importance of preserving and celebrating traditional festivals.
“A new initiative will retool these traditional festivals to generate funds for local communities, providing economic value and fostering cultural pride. The idea is to recraft and reschedule these festivals in the willing communities to be in sync with global holiday calendar so that these festivals and the State EKIFEST will work together to direct traffic to Ekiti” he noted
Other high points events slated for the new year include; Weekend shows, EKIFEST, the state flagship festival, NAFEST, active participation and collaboration on various international programs aimed at showcasing Ekiti rich cultural heritage on broader stage.
The press parley was attended by top officials of the Ministry, stakeholders in the arts and creative industry, representatives of SWECA, MOWAN, TAMPAN and newsmen
