L-R: Ekiti State Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism, Chief Ronke Okusanya; Deputy Governor, Prof. Modupe Adelabu; and Chairperson, Technical Consultative Committee on Arts, Culture and Tourism, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; during the inauguration of state-of-the-art equipment and costumes for the state's standing cultural troupe, in Ado-Ekiti.
The relics of the costumes and equipment inherited by the Ekiti State standing cultural troupe from the old Ondo State since 1996 has finally been replaced with multi-million naira state-of-the-art equipment.
Since Ekiti was carved out of the old Ondo State on October 1, 1996, some ministries, departments and agencies had relied on assets inherited from the old order until the intervention by the present administration.
The Wife of the Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, inaugurated the new items in her capacity as the chairperson of a 50-member technical consultative committee on arts, culture and tourism, in Ado-Ekiti, on Friday.
The items unveiled were technical equipment, public address system, computers, as well as assorted costumes.
The Deputy Governor, Prof. Modupe Adelabu, represented Governor Kayode Fayemi, at the occasion, which signalled a new dawn for the troupe.
In her reminiscences, an elated Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism, Chief Ronke Okusanya, said that the rejuvenated cultural troupe was her brainchild when she was commissioner for information and culture in the old Ondo State.
In a ten-minute sketch, the obviously overwhelmed troupe accentuated their additional areas of need, which included hazard allowance and a lorry to convey the new equipment to locations within and outside the state.
In her address, Erelu Bisi Fayemi said that the state government would spare no effort at positioning the cultural troupe to compete favourably with the best anywhere in the world.
She said that the state government would continue to support the troupe to be able to win more laurels for the state.
Recalling the parlous state of the industry before the advent of the Governor Kayode Fayemi-led administration, the First Lady said the industry was relegated and tucked under different ministries.
She said that her unrelenting advocacy brought about the establishment of a full-fledged ministry of arts, culture and tourism, noting that Ekiti state had become a trail-blazer in that regard.
Fayemi said, “As a technical consultative committee, part of our achievements has been ensuring that a strong legal and policy framework was put in place to reposition arts, culture and tourism. This has led to the creation of Council for Arts and Culture in the state.
“We also create a platform for Ekiti sons and daughters at home and abroad to get together at least once a year to celebrate and showcase our rich arts and culture. This gave birth to Ekiti state Festival of Arts and Culture, also known as EKIFEST.”
She disclosed that the second edition of EKIFEST would hold in December, which, according to her, would be wider in scope.
Part of the responsibilities of the consultative committee is to strengthen the ministry of arts, culture and tourism to build capacity that will enable it to achieve its laudable aims and objectives.
The governor’s wife commended the troupe for winning many laurels in the past, urging the troupe to redouble their efforts now that they had sophisticated equipment and better working condition.
Giving her confidence that the troupe was capable of performing at the highest level, she pledged to attract corporate sponsorship for their various activities.
The deputy governor was elated that culture and tourism has effectively put Ekiti state on the world map, adding that Ikogosi Warm Spring had been listed among the seven natural wonders of Nigeria.
Prof. Adelabu said, “Ikogosi resort centre is now a beautiful bride. Nobody reckoned with it in its past derelict state until the administration of Dr. Kayode Fayemi transformed the site into a world class tourist attraction. Now everybody wants to come to Ikogosi.”
Commending the troupe for their high-octane performance at all times, the deputy governor assured them that their demands, as conveyed in the short drama, would be addressed by the government.
She called for the fortification of the building housing the cultural centre to secure the new equipment.
Last modified: July 14, 2013