EKITI State government has reinstated its commitment to support, rebrand and promote cultural festivals in the state.
Director-General, Ekiti State Council for Arts and Culture, Ambassador Wale Ojo-Lanre, who made the disclosure while hosting executive members of the Ogun-Onire Carnival Promotion Forum in his office in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday, said this would boldly imprint the name of the state on the world cultural map.
He, however, charged the organisers of Ogun-Onire festival in the state to ensure decency, civility and peace in the celebration of the festival.
“I’m happy you’re ready to review the way the festival is being celebrated to make it more visitor-friendly and coordinated.
“It must be civil, it must be decent, it must be free of violence. Let us change the paradigm. Let us have a first class international Ogun festival that will place the Ogun festival on the global cultural map,” he said.
Ojo-Lanre stressed that whoever is not proud of his culture is not supposed to live.
“We shouldn’t forget our root. Our culture is our identity. It is of note that India, South Korea, among other great countries do not forget their culture. They took civilisation and education from the British, but they don’t forget about their culture,” he noted.
Ojo-Lanre further said, “I respect the culture and tradition. But they must be practised with civility, decency and without any violence. We must endeavour to change the paradigm.
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“I’m happy you’re ready to review the way Ogun-Onire festival is being celebrated to make it more visitor-friendly and coordinated. Let us work towards having a first class international Ogun festival that will place it on the global cultural map.”
Earlier in his speech, the Chairman of the group, Chief Femi Ajayi, commended Governor Fayemi over the appointment of Ojo-Lanre as the Ekiti State Council for Arts and Culture boss, which he described as a round peg in a round hole.
Ajayi also commended the state government at expanding the frontier of arts, culture and tourism in the state.
He revealed the plans of the group to sensitise the people of the state on how to celebrate Ogun-Onire festival in a more friendly and peaceful manner, and also promote the festival internationally.
