Ekiti has been described as a culturally unique state, blessed with humongous cultural-tourism assets, which could turn it into an irresistible global tourism destination.
Jorge Kibanazambi, President and founder of Africa-Brazil Foreign Trade, Import and Export made this comment during a visit to the office of Ambassador Wale Ojo-Lanre, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Kayode Fayemi on Tourism Development located at Block V, Second Floor, Ekiti State Government Secretariat, Ado Ekiti.
Ambassador Ojo-Lanre, who presented the visitors with a clay pot made in Isan Ekiti, the town of Governor Fayemi, informed them of the unique use of the pot, not only as storage of ever-cool water but as a product of preserving precious items, beautification, interior decoration, souvenir, among others.
He informed that Ekiti is blessed with a huge amount of kaolin clay both in Isan, Ara and Ikere which is natural resources not only for pot making but useful in the making of other products.
Jorge, who was dazzled and excited by the sheer beauty of the pot and its traditional design professed his love and respect for the pot-makers and their innate creativity, artistry excellence and commitment to details, said “I will fetch for investors from Europe for this awesome traditional creative occupation. This pot is solid, beautiful and a testimony of a rich traditional occupation of the people of Isan-Ekiti people.”
In his reaction, Lucas Andrade said “We shall work with the Government of Ekiti State to uplift the status and process of making the pot with an infusion of technology and traditional methods to ensure mass production of the pots.
Jorge Kibanazambi, who is the leader of a delegate of Brazilian investors which include Lucas Titon Andrade, National-Secretary, CONAFER, and Kabiesi Sangokunle Awurela, International Director of Africa-Brazil, disclosed that Ekiti State is an investors’ heaven as ‘it harbours articles, items, mineral resources and cultural materials which are still in their virginity only waiting to be enhanced, honed, polished and brand for economic bloom. It is a state where all you see around you is of culture and tourism value.”
He commended the state governor Dr John Kayode Fayemi for not only being a cultural-tourism friendly person but for also striving hard at ensuring the holistic development of the state.
Kabiesi Sangokunle Awurela revealed Ekiti State is culturally positioned by God as the cultural pilgrimage centre for cultural enthusiasts all over the world.
“Ekiti is a state where wisdom and knowledge reside. Ekiti is the place where Ifa reigned and stayed for many years both in Usi and Ado. Ekiti is the State where the seven Oguns lived and where Ogun the god of iron descended into the ground. The same Ekiti is where Esu, Elegbara lived and vamoosed. it is your Ekiti that Osun Osogbo emanated from. This is great. We shall ensure that Ekiti ascends its position on global cultural mapping.”
