Ekiti to boost revenue through promotion of local festivals

The Director General, Ekiti State Council for Arts and Culture, Mr. Wale Ojo-Lanre, has said that the state government will acquire all local festivals being celebrated in some towns in the state, with a view to promoting them to gain national and international recognition.

Ojo-Lanre said the plan is part of the government’s bid to develop tourism potentials of the state and generate revenues as well as boosting local economy.

The measure, he said, would help in promoting the state’s cultural heritage as well boost revenue generation in the state.

The Director General stated this in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday when Ogun Onire Carvival Forun, a committee set up by Ire Ekiti for the 2019 edition of the Ogunnire Festival slated for August visited him at his office to unveil its agenda for this year’s celebration.

Ojo-Lanre expressed regret that many of the deities that were of great significance in Ekiti like Ogun and Osun , have been relegated and neglected, stressing that the administration of Dr Kayode Fayemi is committed to the  promotion of those sites  that were regarded as being historical and strategic to the existence of any town.

“Ogun was a deity that had become so popular in Yoruba race and other climes. And if you look at the myth around it, it has significance connection with Ire Ekiti people, but not much has been done to improve the festival the way Ondo people were doing.

The DG added that it would seek the collaborations of the towns where the deities are located and corporate organisations to achieve the task.

The Chairman of the Ogun Onire Carnival Forum, Chief Femi Ajayi, appealed to the government to help in rehabilitating the Ogun groove in Ire Ekiti before the 2019 celebration.