Ekiti West Champions Yoruba Culure and Tourism Promotion.

Ekiti West  Champions Yoruba  Culture and Tourism  Festival Promotion

Yoruba people have a most refined culture in the world, the uniqueness of the culture  was in the past been cherished  by  other tribes  of the world due to its  moral discipline and  standard ethic of  living . But it is regrettable to know that the glory of the much valued culture is gradually fading away sequel to the  inability of the  custodians of history to impact  the knowledge  and  the  speed at which   foreign culture is  influencing others.

Traditional Dancers

Yoruba  culture has  a good moral value  embedded in it, it   accorded respects for the elders, honest and good moral discipline  all which are now been replaced by   gross indiscipline and moral failures  among the youth who are suppose to be protagonists of the   cultural rejuvenation.

 Several effort have been made by scholars and stakeholders in the region to restore Yoruba culture back to its rightful position and  ensure  a dignifying  society  with high moral value but  it   most effort were either theoretical or not back up with actions.

SUBEB Commissioner 11 Ekiti state Mr Awotiku and His wife

 With the Regent of Erio

Unlike the theoretical effort  made by some people, the management of Kayegbo Communication in conjunction with  Star Rock View Hotel   Erio Ekiti  last week began a new trend toward  developing tourism and  cultural heritage  in the state by   organizing  the first ever  Ekiti West Cultural  Festival

A week long programme which grand finale was held at Seliat  Meyibinu Hall at Star Rock view Hotel  Erio Ekiti  features  traditional dance, cultural display, drama and presentation of award to  personalities and  organization, had in attendance , traditional rulers from Ekiti state,  representative of state governor, various cultural organization, tourist  students  among others .

Drama

In an interaction with  FEEDBACK reporter,  Chief   Oguniyi Morakinyo, the  chief organizer and chairman of Kayegbo Communication said,they were encouraged by the positive posture of Governor Kayode Fayemi’s administration toward   the development and promotion of cultural and tourism in the state. Of particular note is the grand development on going at Ikogosi Warm/Cold Spring Resort and the endorsement of Ekiti parapo Resort and Museum of War History at Okemesi.

Morodayo cultural Troupe displaying the Award

Cross Section of the Hall

 He said further  that “Ekiti West local government is bless with a lot of natural resources and tourism potentials that can be of great economic advantage to the community and the state at large, the area has a large expanse of farmland which is very fertile for food and cash crops, there is also opportunity for investment and commercial ventures it is richly blessed with historical sites and gift of human nature”.

Highlighting the tourism potentials in the   local government, Chief Morakinyo  stated that   Ekiti West  is the home of the prestigious Ikogosi Warm Spring, Arinta water fall, Erio hill where religious  activities began in the country, Ehinle shrine, where Ekiti parapo  war started and the museum of war history at the first meeting  point in 1877 of Ekiti parapo war heroes and Agbonna hill which is one of the highest hill in the country.

Speaking on the involvement of Star Rockview Hotel Erio Ekiti, the proprietor Alhaji Yahaya Idris said, the management of the hotel has been involved in promoting tourism and cultural activities in the state. “We are into hospitality business not only to make money but also to support tourism and cultural activities in our community, and as you can see we have the hotel located at the valley of the Prayer Mountain where those who come for religious tourism can actually come and relax, people can come for picnic, seminars and all kind of event”. 

Chief  Morakinyo, presenting an Award to rep of Wale Ojo Lanre, Mr. Abiodun Dada

He said further that “Star Rock view Hotel has a taste of modern facilities such as standard   rooms, multipurpose hall which can accommodate about 500 people at a time, a large parking space   bar with exotic wines and drinks and 24 hrs internet services”.  He however appealed to the local government to help worked on the road leading to the Rock view hotel and call for improved patronage from both the local and the state government.

“At star rock view hotel, we pay our tax, we don’t not default and i think the government should   patronize us,   they can have   be having their seminars and conferences here we have the facilities for that and our prices are affordable”.

The Regent of Erio-Ekiti Princess Adetokunbo Adejoke Ojo in an interaction with FEEDBACK applauded the organizers of the event for coming up with such ideas and expresses optimism that the initiatives will set a phase for others to emulate.   She also pledge  her commitment  to   support  activities  that  will promote  culture  and tourism  development in  Erio and Ekiti at large.

While commending governor Kayode Fayemi and the Local government chairman for the transformational   effort in the state urge the people to continue to cooperate with the   government so as to take the state to a greater height.

On the bandstand was Moradayo Cultural troupe  which  entertained  people with Ekiti traditional song while the traditional magicians also  display  their talents.

Several people who spoke with FEEDBACK   commended the organizers of the event and  express optimism  that if  they were encouraged by the government   and other nongovernmental organizations   and  multinational  company, there will  be a rapid takeover from the   present  situation.

Oke Imesi group

 The  commissioner 11 for Ekiti state Universal Basic Education Mr Awotiku   in an interview  with FEEDBACK    informed that the  state  government   have formulated policies that  will encourage the  growth and  promotion of Yoruba culture in the   state “ Ekiti people  are known to be  morally sound, principled and  discipline , and we  consider this as an important aspect that must be handled carefully and that is why the governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi     directed that  cultural activities must be  encourage in schools.

The  Tourism Editor of Nigeria Tribune  Comrade Wale Ojo Lanre was  honoured Cultural Ambassador  of the Year, while many others including governor Kayode,Fayemi and  his wife Erelu Bisi Fayemi,  two  commissioners,  House of Rep Member, House of Assembly Member, Council Chairman,  and some  distinguish personalities  were  also honoured  with various awards.