Okemesi collaborates with Ekiti government for a unique Ekiti Parapo Festival
Okemesi-Ekiti, the home of notable war heroes is set to collaborate with Ekiti State Government to float “Ekiti Parapo Festival 2019” that would be celebrated in a grand style.
Speaking during a courtesy call on the Director General, Council of Arts and Culture, Ambassador Wale Ojo Lanre, the Chairman of Okemesi Cultural Committee, Prince Kayode Oni disclosed that the urge to celebrate the festival was born out of the passion to re-awaken the rich culture and values of Ekiti people and a way of telling the story of perhaps the most popular occurrence to the younger generation.
Going down memory lane, Oni described the immediate and remote causes of the war, according to him was not unconnected, to the valiant stand of Ekiti people against an onslaught from outside the shores of Ekiti.
Soliciting for government assistance for the completion of Okemesi War Museum which was under construction, Oni highlighted the features of the festival which includes debate about the history of the war, lectures, cultural night, cultural procession among others.
In his contributions, the Oba Asa Ile Yoruba, Chief Jimoh Aliu sought for collaborative efforts of all stakeholders to make the festival unique.
In his submission, the Director General, Council of Arts and Culture, Ambassador Wale Ojo Lanre said the Dr. Kayode Fayemi-led administration would continue to fast-track plans aimed at harmonizing Ekiti State indigenous cultural heritage which would be in compliance with global trends and practices.
Ojo Lanre who hinted that he has committed a lot of resources towards the successful celebration of “Ladunwo” Festival in Okemesi in the past, noted that the time has come for the sons and daughters of Okemesi to exhibit high sense of commitment towards the uplift of the rich culture of Ekiti.
The year 2019 Ekiti Parapo Festival which is scheduled to hold from October 2nd through October 5th is a reminiscence of the war which was fought in-between 1877-1886.
In another development, The Director General Ekiti State Council of Arts and Culture Ambassador Wale Ojo Lanre has described Culture as an offshoot of Tourism.
Ojo Lanre who gave this hint while playing host to Miss Tourism Ekiti 2018 in Ado-Ekiti restated the commitment of the Dr. Kayode Fayemi-led administration to articulate policies and agenda for Ekiti State creative assets and values, identify young talents and promote them to stardom.
Emphasizing that tourism promotes and feed on cultural heritage, the Director General called for a synergy between culture and tourism as tourism, according to him involves the process of travelling from one place to another to see the cultural heritage of a particular group of people.
Noting that tourism cannot be divulged from arts and culture, he pointed out the necessity of infusing culture into Miss Tourism Show.
Responding, the star prize winner of Miss Tourism Ekiti 2018, Miss Omolayo Atolagbe said she was culturally oriented, while the Creative
Director of Miss Tourism Show, Mr. Olumide Fasubaa canvased for collaborative efforts of the State Government to enhance a better performance.