…Says Ekiti’ll leverage cultural festival for wealth creation
Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has called on Ekiti residents to support the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general election as a way of appreciating the President for his support and contributions to the development of the state particularly in the last three years.
Governor Oyebanji also said his administration would transform Udiroko festival and other cultural celebrations across the state into major platforms for economic development, tourism promotion and wealth creation, stressing that culture should not only be preserved but also harnessed to improve the livelihood of the people.
Governor Oyebanji stated these in his address at the 2026 Udiroko Festival in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday. He said Udiroko festival had grown beyond an Ado Ekiti celebration to become an important cultural event for the entire state.
He urged the planning committee and other stakeholder s to develop the festival into a platform that will not only preserve the cultural heritage of the people but also create economic opportunities for Ekiti indigenes.
While congratulating the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe, the Ewi- in- Council and all the indigenes of Ado-Ekiti on this year’s celebration, the Governor said his administration would continue to support cultural initiatives capable of promoting tourism and attracting visitors to the state, stressing that the cultural festivals should be deliberately developed to generate income, create employment and improve the livelihood of the people.
Highlighting some of the interventions of the President Tinubu’s administration in Ekiti State, particularly in the area of road infrastructure, the Governor noted that the Itawure -Aramoko-Ado road, which had been a major concern, has been awarded by the federal government and contractor had commenced work.
He added that the President has also awarded the Ado-Ijan-Iluomoba-Ijesa-Isu-ikole road, with survey work currently ongoing ahead of the commencement of construction, stressing that the support Ekiti had received from the President Tinubu led-federal government should be appreciated by the people of the state.
The Governor therefore, appealed to Ekiti people to come out enmasse and cast their votes for the President, saying that continued collaboration betwwen the state and the federal government would further attract development projects and opportunities capable of improving the lives of the people.
Governor Oyebanji said “I rejoice with all of us on this occasion, I felicitate with Kabiyesi, Eyesorun and all the Chiefs, my prayer is that you will celebrate more on this throne and celebrate many udiroko festival. Udiroko festival is no longer an Ado festival, it has become Ekiti festival and we need to sit down with the planning committee to find a way such that while we are preserving our culture and tradition, we also use this festival as an avenue to create wealth for Ekiti indigenes.
“Last year when I spoke here, the itawure -Aramoko- Ado road was an issue and I addressed it at the Udiroko festival. To God be the glory, today, Mr President has awarded the road, contractor has moved to site and today also Mr President has also awarded Ado –Ijan –Iluomoba – Ijesaisu- Ikole road, the survey is being done and very soon the contractor will move to site.
“why I am reminding all of us about this is that January next year, there will be an election to re-elect the President, I am pleading with all of us in Ekiti state, we must come out and cast our votes for the Presient”, the Governor added.
In his address, the Ewi of Ado – Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, who described the Udiroko festival as significant cultural heritage of the people of Ado Ekiti, stressed the need for its preservation and promotion for future generations.
The monarch commended the people of the community for the annual celebration and for using the festival to promote unity, cultural values and peaceful coexistence.
While appreciating Governor Oyebanji for his administration’s support for the festival and other laudable initiatives including increasing number of tared roads in Ado Ekiti, also congratulated the governor on his re-election describing his victory as a well-deserved endorsement of his administration’s performance and the confidence the people of Ekiti State have in his leadership.
The traditional ruler therefore called on all the Nigerian security organs at all levels to do more to ensure the safety of the citizens, maintaining that they must employ technology craftiness and ruthless sophistication to arrest the unrepentant onslaught of the bandits terrorizing the country.
Also at the event were, the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, Deputy Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Bolaji Olagbaju, Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Habibat Adubiaro, Chief of Staff, Mr Niyi Adebayo, members of the state executive council and prominent Ado Ekiti indigenes and groups among others.
Highlight of the event include homage paying to the traditional ruler by different groups and titled chiefs.
