…Urges Youths to Use Talents, Creativity as Instruments of Transformation
Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has pledged to use his office to position the State as a leading hub for cultural tourism and the creative economy, with the goal of transforming livelihoods across Nigeria and Africa.
Speaking on Tuesday during the flag-off of the 2026 Ekiti State Festival of Arts and Culture, EKIFEST, at the Fajuyi Pavilion, Ado Ekiti, Oyebanji urged youths to leverage their talents and creativity to create jobs, businesses and wealth.
The festival, with the theme “Continuity, The Pathway to Ensuring Prosperity”, was preceded by a cultural parade involving thousands of contingents from the 16 Local Government Areas, LCDA’s and other Nigerian nationalities resident in the state.
Represented by Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, the governor said creativity and talent development remain key platforms for building businesses and tackling unemployment in the current economy.
“To our young people, this festival belongs to you. Your creativity is your wealth. Your ideas can create jobs. Your talents can build businesses. Your imagination can transform communities. The creative economy is no longer the future – it is already here,” Oyebanji said.
He noted that economic development should not be measured only by infrastructure, but also by how well a people preserve their heritage and empower their citizens. He promised sustained government support for artists, exhibitors and creative entrepreneurs through patronage.
According to him, the 2026 EKIFEST will strengthen the state’s economy, deepen unity, and expand opportunities for youths and players in the creative sector.
While applauding experts in the Ministry of Arts and Culture as well as the development partners, Governor Oyebanji promised government’s consistent support for local artists, arts exhibitors and those involved in creative businesses through patronage that can guarantee survival and contributions to economic growth.
“As we celebrate EKIFEST, let us remember that the true measure of any society is not only in its roads and buildings, but also in how faithfully it preserves its heritage and how boldly it empowers its people”.
The governor opined that the 2026 EKIFEST will help in fortifying the state’s economy, advance its investments, deepen its unity and create opportunities for the youths and those operating in the creative sector.
Oyebanji noted that EKIFEST as an annual cultural festival has gone beyond mere sloganeering, saying it was specifically promoted to drive the prosperity vision and indicate his government’s commitment to sustainable development that can rescue people from poverty and unemployment .
“Today marks the fourth consecutive edition of EKIFEST under this administration. This is no coincidence. It is a deliberate statement that culture occupies a majestic place in the domain of our development agenda.
“Our vision is clear: we want Ekiti to become Nigeria’s foremost destination for cultural tourism and one of the Africa’s leading creative hubs. We are building infrastructures, strengthening institutions, supporting our creative talents, expanding opportunities for young entrepreneurs and creating an environment where culture contributes meaningfully to our economy”.
In his submission at the cultural festival, the Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Prof Rasak Ojo Bakare, commended Oyebanji for investing heavily in the arts and culture since the advent of his administration, describing EKIFEST as a celebration of Ekiti’s rich cultural heritage and traditions, considered unique across the country.
Prof Bakare added that culture is far more than mere entertainments, branding it as a veritable opportunity to strengthen social cohesion, create hospitality, love and promote social order among the people of diverse interests and ethnic divides.
“This year’s EKIFEST will feature cultural parade, command performances, traditional competitions, talents showcasing that identify the cultural diversity of Ekiti people. The Biodun Oyebanji-led government was aware of the fact that culture can only be preserved when practised and passed on to the coming generations.
“Under Governor Oyebanji’s government, one of the fastest growing sectors that is generating employment and attracting investments is arts and culture. Let me also bring to your notice that Governor Oyebanji was the first governor in history to appoint a Director of Culture and a core professional as a Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Arts and Culture”.
A respectable thespian in the Yoruba Movie, Dele Odule and his cultural troupe performed at the opening event.
Other high profile figures that graced the festival were: Local Government Chairmen, Commissioners, Special Advisers, traditional rulers, notable arts and culture icons, academics, traditionalists, members of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria( PMAN), traditional groups, other cultural groups from Nigerian Nationalities like Igbos, Ibibio, Idoma, Tiv, Bassa, among others.
Prior to the actual commencement of the festival, thousands of contingents drawn across the 16 Local Governments, Local Council Development Areas and other non-Ekiti nationalities, had held a cultural parade round Ado Ekiti, the state capital, to create awareness about the festival geared towards preserving and sustaining the culture and traditions of the people.
