EKSG Targets UNESCO Listing For Its Tourist Sites

Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Mrs. Funmi Olayinka and the wife of the Governor who doubles as chairperson of the State Strategic Consultative Committee on Culture, Arts and Tourism, Erelu Bisi Fayemi dancing to traditional Ekiti lyrics at the opening of the 1st Ekiti State Festival of Culture and Arts Expo (EKIFEST 2012), in Ado-Ekiti

Ekiti State government has said that it is working frantically to ensure that tourist sites such as Ikogosi Warm Spring, Arinta Water Falls, the Fajuyi Park and the identified monuments and historical heritage sites like Ogun Onire Groove, Esa Cave, Okuta-gbokuta-leri among others meet the standard of UNESCO enlistment as a world heritage and boost tourism to the economic advantage of the State.

Governor of the State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi who spoke through his deputy, Mrs. Funmi Olayinka, yesterday in Ado-Ekiti  at the opening of the First  Festival of Culture and Arts Expo (EKIFEST) described culture of a society as a way of life of its members which includes collection of tangible and intangible ideas and habits shared and transmitted from generation to generation that make the people unique and serve as the binding chord.

He said EKIFEST is the demonstration of the love of his administration for cultural values and the determination of the government to resuscitate and restore the love for cultural values and heritage in the people especially at this critical period that the culture and language of the people are suffering deprivation and are at the verge of extinction.

Fayemi explained that in addition to the determination to restore cultural values, his government recognizes the potentials inherent in
arts, culture and monumental sites development as a veritable alternative to boosting the economy of the state and that the government is stepping up efforts to harness all the available resources in this regard.
According to the governor, the many advantages derivable from cultural awareness and adequate development of the potentials is not lost to
his administration and this informed the creation of a Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism on the assumption of office and the setting
up of the Committee on Arts, Culture and Tourism to provide a strategic roadmap on all aspects of the Ministry’s work.

The Governor who disclosed other activities of the EKIFEST to include exhibition of arts, artifacts and antiquities of Ekiti ancestors appealed to all public spirited individuals, non-governmental organizations and corporate establishments to key into the cultural agenda of the state government to better the lots of the people with an assurance that all talented performers discovered at the Expo would be exposed to international competitions through sponsorship.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Commissioner for Culture, Arts and Tourism, Alhaji Ayodele Jinadu described the maiden Festival of Culture and Arts Expo as an epoch-making occasion as it marks a significant milestone in the efforts of Governor Kayode Fayemi towards the socio-economic transformation of Ekiti State.
Alhaji Jinadu enumerated some of the efforts of the administration towards cultural developments and advancement of tourism potentials in Ekiti to include the inauguration of bodies such as the Schools Culture Club, State Consultative Committee on Culture Arts and Tourism, Committee to work out the modalities for the establish of a creative centre for cinematography enterprise and the establishment of Ekiti Film Village at Ipole and Ikogosi-Ekiti among others.

Last modified: September 12, 2012