PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari alongside ten state governors are expected to attend the 2019 edition of the Ekiti State Festival of Arts and Culture (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 10-13, said the event was meant to boost the socio-economic and cultural values of the state.
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.
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He said 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 arts and cultural economy that can support the state in all spheres.
He said: ” It was initiated with the view to promoting the culture of the people of Ekiti and harnessing the potentials of the state to further drive and indigenous economic enterprise, generate employment and ultimately make Ekiti State a vibrant destination for tourism.
“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, Geggite gyration, traditional games, Ekiti culturepreneur, Ekiti dress fashion show, Heritage carnival by 16 councils, musical concerts, freestyle 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 per cent of Eco-tourism as well as arts and crafts potentials of Ekiti.”
The Director General, Ekiti State Council for Arts and Culture, Mr Wale Ojo-Lanre, said the intention of the programme was to develop the talents of Ekiti young citizens, in tandem with the human capital development policy thrust of Fayemi’s administration.
Ojo-Lanre added that the programme would also help to develop the local economy through patronage during the event.
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