Ekiti leads the pack at NAFEST 2021
By Zion Rufus
Ekiti State, a foremost state in South West has led the pack amongst the 36 states of the federation by emerging overall best winner in the just concluded National Festival of Arts and Culture held in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.
The state was closely followed in the number two position by Rivers State in the hotly competitive one-week national fiesta.
Now in its 34th edition, the National Festival of Arts and Culture which is usually rotated among the states of the federation, was introduced in 1970 to fulfill the purpose of cultural integration, unity, and economic development as it showcases the peculiar arts and crafts of various ethnic groups in Nigeria.
This year, the renowned annual cultural fiesta hosted by Ekiti State was all glitz and glamour as tourists, visitors, and delegates from across the 36 states of the federation colorfully represented and displayed their diverse cultures at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion in Ado-Ekiti.
According to the Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism, Prof. Rasaki Ojo Bakare, hosting of NAFEST by Ekiti State is a milestone because “for the first time such a huge event would be coming to Ekiti land whose resources are very low compared to other states in the South West of the country.”
Ekiti State constitutes one of the largest Yoruba sub-group in Nigeria. Culturally homogenous in nature, Ekiti State is highly rich with numerous natural resources, phenomenal land formations, and luxuriant vegetation amongst other unique features.
In 2020, Ekiti State emerged second place at the NAFEST 2020 which held in Jos, Plateau State. Similarly, the State was also named the Overall Best State at the International Arts and Crafts Expo (INAC 2020) even as it bagged all the first position prizes at the same event.
Another event worthy of note is the Ekiti State Festival of Arts and Culture. Launched in 2012, EKIFEST is a programme designed to stimulate Arts and Cultural activities in the state. The festival has also positively impacted the state’s economy by creating a market for local arts and crafts industries.
Other winners at the NAFEST 2021 include Bayslsa and Benue States in third place, Nasarawa at the 4th, and Lagos, Ogun and FCT at the 5th.
Amongst other notable personalities, some of the dignitaries at the event were: Speaker Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Funminiyi Afuye; Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi; First Lady, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; Director General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe; Deputy Governor, Bisi Egbeyemi; Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Funminiyi Afuye; Secretary to the State Government, Biodun Oyebanji; Head of Service, Peju Babafemi; and Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism, Rasak Ojo Bakare amongst many others.
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