From Priscilla Ofunre, Ado-Ekiti
President Muhammadu Buhari and ten governors are to grace the 2019 edition of the Ekiti State Festival of Arts and Culture christened EKIFEST.
A Professor of Dramatic and Performing Arts, Prof Ojo Razak Bakare, who gave the hint said , apart from President Buhari, governors of all the southwest states, Kwara, Edo, Delta and Kogi will attend the event that would feature over 1,500 participants.
Bakare, who spoke in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday at a press conference announcing the cultural fiesta slated for December 10 to December 13, said the event was meant to boost the socio economic and cultural values of the state.
READ ALSO:http://Police recruitment: Court to deliver judgment in PSC suit on Dec. 4
Bakare said representative of President Buhari and southwest governors and the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, will be gracing the occasion.
The Don, who is the Director of the three-day event, disclosed that the event will be done in partnership with MTN, Bajinatu Herbal Drink , Nairabet, among other cooperate bodies and sponsors.
He sad the programme will showcase the rich cultural heritage of the state to the world market and would harness the talents of the people to build an art and cultural economy that can support the state in all spheres.
“Over 1,500 participants are expected to partake in the cultural Festival meant to build the state’s social economic sphere, in line with the diversification programme of Governor Kayode Fayemi’s government .
“The programme will feature arts and crafts exhibition, keggite gyration, traditional games, Ekiti culturepreneur, Ekiti dress fashion show, Heritage carnival by 16 councils, musical concerts, free style carnival, Fun Ride to Ikogosi, Kiddifest, among others.
“Culture and tourism are powerful tools for socio -economic empowerment. Gambia doesn’t have oil, but has culture and tourism and it doesn’t have 50 percent of Eco-tourism as well as arts and crafts potentials that Ekiti has.
READ ALSO:UPDATED:Alleged P&ID scam: Court refuses to grant adjournment in trial of Briton
“What we are trying to create in the 2019 edition of EKIFEST is a product that can be marketed in the subsequent editions.We are rich in arts, culture and tourism and this is the best opportunity to market them”, he said.
The Director General, Ekiti State Festival of Arts and Culture, Mr. Wale Ojo-Lanre, said the intention of the programme is to develop the talents of Ekiti young citizens, in tandem with human capital development policy thrust of Fayemi’s administration.
Ojo-Lanre added that the programme would also help to develop local economy through patronage during the event.
