From Priscilla Ofunre, Ado-Ekiti
A viable future awaits arts and culture in Ekiti as the just concluded 2019 Ekifest, had in attendance people from all walks of life within and outside the country, who graced the three-day event that showcased the state’s rich cultural endowments for economic prosperity.
The Director-General of Ekiti State Council of Arts and Culture (ESCAC), Amb Wale-Ojo Lanre, who made this known in his closing address, said, it was an event to be remembered by all for good, hence, better future awaits arts and culture in Ekiti. He thanked governor Fayemi and his wife Erelu Bisi Fayemi, the chairperson of the event, for the success of the programme and the upgrading of the council to a ministry.
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“I am grateful for the succes of Ekifest 2019. It is one event to be remembered for good by all. Many thanks to governor Kayode Fayemi and his wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi for the total support they gave the programme. When I say ‘total support’, I mean totality in its real sense. I also thank the deputy governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi for his support and all who have supported the event in one way or the other.
“I am equally grateful to governor Fayemi for upgrading the state’s Council of Arts and Culture to the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism “.
In his closing address, governor Fayemi, who was represented by his deputy, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, thanked God and the people for the success of the event, advised all to be a part of arts and culture re-branding in the state as it is our pride.
” I thank God for the success of the event. Let us promote culture in every way possible, it is our inheritance. Most people believe that celebrating culture is a way of doing propitiation. No, it is not, but a way of celebrating our heritage”.
He also advised that people should not only engage and restrict themselves to doing politics, but also farming.
” In Ekiti State, we are good farmers. Let us in addition to politics, engage in farming, which is part of our cultural heritage”.
The wife of the governor and chairperson of the event, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, in her closing remarks, thanked all who rallied round for the success of Ekifest 2019, and governor Fayemi for upgrading the state’s Council of Arts and Culture to the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism and urged all to always keep the state’s cultural flag flying.
” I thank God and governor Fayemi for the successful completion of Ekifest 2019. I am grateful to all who contributed to the success of this event. I am most grateful for the encouragement the governor gave the Council by upgrading it to a Ministry.
“Let us all remember, we have what we have, no one can take it away from us unless we give it away” she said.
The State’s Information Commissioner, Aare Muyiwa Olumilua, expressed gratitude on the successful completion of the cultural fiesta, praised governor Fayemi’s efforts towards ensuring arts and culture thrives in the state and also thanked the governor for the Council’s promotion to Ministry.
” Many thanks to God for the success of this event. I cannot thank the governor enough for elevating the Council of Arts and Culture to the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism and his efforts at ensuring culture is sustained in the State.
” I am also thankful to the deputy governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, for his supports and the wife of the governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi for her motherly roles.
” The governor Fayemi-led administration in its quest to reposition arts and culture in the State, has been doing everything possible to make sure arts and culture regains its balance in the state”.
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In response to the challenges faced having the event a success, Wale-Ojo, said: “It would have been tedious or challenging, but thank God for governor Fayemi and his wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, who facilitated almost everything that would have been an obstacle to the realisation of the success of this programme. There was really no challenging situation.
“Thank God we have a governor who understands the value of culture. We have a governor who believes when culture is resuscitated, value will be appraised, value will be appreciated.
“The fiesta had more than 25,000 people both from within and outside the state and country in attendance”, he said.