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Once again Ekiti-State under the authority of the Ekiti born Africa's First Professor of Dance has again placed our dear Ekiti-State and Nigeria on the world map of Art, Culture and Tourism. Nigeria on Friday 17th February, 2023 emerged winner of the Surajkund International Arts and Crafts Festival in India. The two-week competition is the largest arts and culture festival in the world. The country was represented by Ekiti State Performing Company, for performance content, and Niger State Tourism Commission, for Crafts Exhibition. Prof Ojo Bakare, the first professor of Choreography and and Performannce Aesthetics in Africa and immediate past Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism in Ekiti State, is the leader of the Delegation. Nigeria, the host Country, India and Uganda got the VIP pick in that order for the best performances in the festival that featured over 50 countries that performed daily for two weeks. As a result of Nigeria’s exemplary performances, the leaders of Delegation for all the African countries at the festival chose Prof Bakare to lead an all African collaboration performance at the festival. The African countries also made a declaration for an All African networking organisation that will push for the development of Arts, Culture and Heritage in the continent. Prof Bakare was also selected as the President. Prof Bakare who hailed the Federal Government for tipping Ekiti and States as her representative at the international competition, gave kudos to the 15- member troupe and their officials for the superlative performances at the world festival. 


Ekiti State has, Before emerging Nigeria’s representative at the global festival, Going by available records, The Ekiti State Performing Company since 2020, won all the Awards in the Culture and Tourism Sector for its performance among other States. These awards include three times NAFEST Best States Awards, Second Best Tourism State Award, Hosting of the Tourism Festival of the Year 2021 Awards, First Position in INAC Award and so on. NAFEST 2020 in Jos, came first at NAFEST 2021 and took the third position at NAFEST 2022 in Lagos. It won the most consistent State at NAFEST 2022. At NAFEST 2020, 2021 and 2022, Ekiti State came first in almost all the Performing Arts categories like Dance, Choral Music and Drama. Niger State was also selected for Craft exhibition because Bida had just been named UNESCO Creative City. While thanking His excellency the governor of Ekiti-State 'Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji[BAO] on behalf of the Stakeholders in the Arts, Culture and Tourism sector commend the Governor’s inclusion of Arts, Culture and Tourism in its developmental agenda for the State. With this new development, it is believed that another promising era has come for arts, culture and tourism sector to flourish better in Ekiti State. The delegation Prof Bakare who has been of immense value to our dear state, yoruba land and to Nigeria at large. Public service is indeed a thankless job, Regardless, we still have to honor those who have sacrificed and given blood sweat and tears in delivering. Prof Bakare is an exceptional son who drums should be beaten for and a red carpet rolled out for, Posterity beckons and may history be kind to you Sir. In a public message congratulating Ekiti State's performing company and Nigeria at large 


His excellency the governor of Ekiti-State 'Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji[BAO] said 'Great accomplishment. I am proud of the exploit of our fantastic troupe and the encouragement of our forward looking administration in the State. More wins in Jesus Name.' the immediate past Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism ,Prof Rasaki Ojo Bakare, the choice of Ekiti State is as a result of the dominance of the State in the Culture and Tourism sector since 2020. “This is how it works. There is a time to work and then you wait for the results. Our sector is not manufacturing tyres and selling them off right on the spot. 



 


No! in the Creative and Tourism sectors, you must invest earnestly, follow up patiently, and then, the products you have developed and the super structures you have laid will begin to attract unstoppable patronage” Prof Bakare was quoted to have said. Ekiti-State performing art company is a confirmation that Rasaki Ojo Bakare is a real talent developer and interested in building talents. Thanking the former governor Kayode Fayemi for giving Art, Culture and Tourism sector in Ekiti-State a real boost with a true and effective leadership structure. Congratulations Ekiti-State! Congratulations Nigeria! Congratulations first professor of Choreography and Performance Aesthetics in Africa! Congratulations Ekiti-State performing company!

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