The Federal government has chosen Ekiti State Ministry of Arts Culture and Tourism to represent Nigeria at the 2023 Surajkund International Arts Festival holding in India from 3rd to 19th February 2023.
The expenses for International Air Travels, Accommodation, Feeding and local Travels will be borne by the Federal Government and the Indian authorities.
According to the letter of invitation which is addressed to the immediate past Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism ,Prof Rasaki Ojo Bakare, the choice of Ekiti State is as a result of the dominance of the State in the Culture and Tourism sector since 2020.
Going by available records, Ekiti State has, since 2020, won all the Awards in the Culture and Tourism Sector for its performance among other States. These awards include three times NAFEST Best States Awards, Second Best Tourism State Award, Hosting of the Tourism Festival of the Year 2021 Awards, First Position in INAC Award and so on.
While reacting to the State’s nomination for the international outing, Prof Bakare confirmed that the State won itself such recognition based on the patient investment in the Sector since 2019. He said those investments were already beginning to yield results which in turn would lead to positive economic transformation of the State through Arts, Culture and Tourism.
“This is how it works. There is a time to work and then you wait for the results. Our sector is not manufacturing tyres and selling them off right on the spot. No! in the Creative and Tourism sectors, you must invest earnestly, follow up patiently, and then, the products you have developed and the super structures you have laid will begin to attract unstoppable patronage” Prof Bakare was quoted to have said.
Stakeholders in the Arts and Culture sector commend Governor Oyebamji’s inclusion of Arts, Culture and Tourism in its developmental agenda for the State. With this new development, it is believed that another promising era has come for arts, culture and tourism sector to flourish better in Ekiti State.
Credit: Observers