Hon. Ayeni, Chairman of the Ikoro Ekiti Local Council Development Area (LCDA), has expressed his commitment to making the Elefon Festival a prominent tourism event in Ekiti State.
He declared this during his courtesy visit to the office of the Director-General of the Ekiti State Bureau of Tourism Development, Amb. Wale Ojo-Lanre, in Ado Ekiti.
Hon. Ayeni emphasised the Elefon Festival’s rich cultural heritage, marked by vibrant traditional dances, music, and various cultural displays.
He highlighted that such events can potentially attract tourists from all over the country. By promoting and developing the Elefon Festival as a tourism event, the LCDA aims to showcase Ikoro Ekiti’s cultural diversity and historical significance.
During the courtesy visit, Hon. Ayeni commended the efforts of the Ekiti State Bureau of Tourism Development in promoting tourism across the state. He acknowledged the pivotal role Amb played. Wale Ojo-Lanre in driving initiatives for the growth of the tourism sector in Ekiti State.
He informed REPORTERS AT LARGE that this year’s Elefon Festival, Ikoro, will commence on Sunday, February 18, 2024, and end on Saturday, February 25, 2024.
In response to Hon. Ayeni’s remarks, Amb. Wale Ojo-Lanre expressed his support for the LCDA’s vision to elevate the Elefon Festival into a major tourism event. He praised the LCDA’s dedication to preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of Ikoro Ekiti and pledged the bureau’s assistance in achieving this shared goal.
Hon. Ayeni appealed to stakeholders, both within and outside the LCDA, to collaborate in making the Elefon Festival an event of international repute. He called on the private sector, development partners, and relevant government agencies to support this tourism initiative, which aims to foster economic prosperity and promote cultural tourism in Ikoro Ekiti and Ekiti State.
Hon. Ayeni expressed his optimism that, with concerted efforts and collaborations, the Elefon Festival would be transformed into a significant tourism event that promotes the cultural identity, social cohesion, and economic growth of Ikoro Ekiti and Ekiti State.
