The Director-General Ekiti State Council for Arts and Culture, Ambassador Wale Ojo-Lanre has said that the Council would engage pounded yam to drive the economy of Ekiti State.
“Ekiti is blessed with wonderful cultural potentialities which are capable of stimulating and propelling the economy of the state. One of these is our common good called Iyan or pounded yam. We shall leverage by showcasing the uniqueness of Ekiti pounded yam all over the world and branding it to lure tourists to the state ”
Ojo-Lanre made this revelation yesterday while playing host to Chief Kola Akosile, President, Nigeria Chamber of Commerce and Industry who led a team of Culinary Investors under the aegis of Authentic Nigerian Foods and Fashion Fair to Ekiti State Council for Arts and Culture Office in Ado Ekiti.
Ojo -Lanre said that ‘ Iyan is not only synonymous with Ekiti and it’s brother Ijesa, but Ekiti iyan has its own unique peculiarities in taste, texture and feel which you cannot find in any other brand of iyan in another state. Iyan Ekiti is like Chinese food which cannot be duplicated. For if it is not iyan Ekiti it is not iyan ”
He disclosed that the Council would soon hold a conference of all Iyan sellers and producers in the state in its bids to ensure that the glory of iyan radiate and shine for economic prosperity.
Mr Shobowale Sanya, Managing Director, Authentic Nigerian Food and Fashion Fair said that Ekiti is the cultural capital of Yoruba state both in history and geographical configuration.
He commended Governor Kayode Fayemi for being the only Governor in the South West who has taken upon himself the arduous task of rejuvenating Yoruba Culture.
Mr Shobowale who was accompanied by Mrs Franca Olayiwola disclosed that Ekiti State is the foremost cultural friendly state in Nigeria due to the cultural vision of Dr Kayode Fayemi
He revealed that “the cultural vision of Dr Kayode Fayemi has placed Ekiti State at the front burner of global cultural discourse and recognition. Thus making the state the first point of reference when cultural activities and projects suffice. This is why we have to be here to intimate the state of the project Authentic Nigerian Food and Fashion Fair Scheduled to hold in Lagos in December.’
He lauded the management of Ekiti State Council for Arts and Culture for its warmth and culturally exciting reception accorded the visiting team
“I must confess that having visited both national and states cultural organisations, Ekiti is the only state where we are treated to a taste of the cultural assets of the state.”
