Ekiti-State Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy Launches Grassroots Theatre Campaign for Voter Education and Environmental Awareness as Government Approves Fresh Funding for Creative Practitioners.

The Ekiti State Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy has launched a statewide grassroots campaign under its Theatre for Development initiative aimed at strengthening civic participation ahead of the next electoral cycle.

The programme is designed as a proactive and people-centered intervention that uses drama and interactive performances to educate residents on credible electoral participation while also addressing environmental responsibility and flood prevention.

According to the ministry, the campaign goes beyond entertainment by using theatre as a tool for public enlightenment and civic engagement. It is expected to empower citizens to play a more responsible role in ensuring a peaceful and credible electoral process across communities in Ekiti State.

Officials noted that the initiative comes at a critical moment in the state’s political calendar, with communities to be sensitised on peaceful participation before, during and after elections, respect for electoral laws, and the importance of protecting the integrity of the vote.

The ministry also expressed concerns about improper voting practices that often lead to invalid ballots. It explained that in many elections, a significant number of votes are voided due to incorrect thumbprinting, multiple markings on ballot papers, or failure to follow voting instructions. Through the theatre campaign, residents will receive practical demonstrations on how to vote correctly and confidently.

Beyond voter education, the programme will also address environmental issues, particularly flood prevention and responsible waste management, following recent warnings by the National Emergency Management Agency about potential flooding risks in parts of the country.

Community Tour Schedule

The Theatre for Development campaign will run from March 28 to April 1, 2026, covering twelve strategic communities across the state’s three senatorial districts.

March 28: Aramoko-Ekiti, Ijero-Ekiti, Efon-Alaaye, Ikogosi

March 30: Ido-Ekiti, Otun-Ekiti

March 31: Ise-Ekiti, Ikere-Ekiti, Ilawe-Ekiti

April 1: Omuo-Ekiti, Ikole-Ekiti, Oye-Ekiti

The Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Rasaki Ojo-Bakare, said the performances will be highly interactive, allowing residents to ask questions, learn proper voting procedures, and discuss ways to make their communities safer and more environmentally responsible.

The campaign will conclude with additional public enlightenment sessions in Ado-Ekiti during the popular Sunday Sunday Show, scheduled for the last Sundays of April and May 2026.

Stakeholders believe the initiative will strengthen democratic culture at the grassroots level while promoting peace, environmental awareness, and responsible citizenship across Ekiti communities.

The ministry has therefore urged residents across the state to attend the performances and participate actively in the discussions.

Government Approves Fresh Funding for Creative Practitioners

Meanwhile, the Ekiti State Government, under the leadership of Governor Biodun Oyebanji, has approved a fresh tranche of funding for the Ekiti State Arts Endowment Fund as part of its Shared Prosperity Agenda.

Speaking with journalists in Ado-Ekiti, the Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Rasaki Ojo-Bakare, disclosed that although the Arts Endowment Fund was originally conceptualised during the administration of Ibrahim Babangida, it had remained largely unimplemented across Nigeria until Ekiti State began operationalising it in 2024.

He noted that Ekiti State is currently the only state implementing the initiative, which is designed to provide structured financial support for practitioners in the arts, culture, and creative economy.

The fund targets a wide range of beneficiaries including performing artists, filmmakers, content creators, fashion designers, and other stakeholders within the creative value chain.

Professor Ojo-Bakare emphasised that the creative economy serves as the business backbone of arts and culture, stressing that supporting practitioners is essential for driving growth, innovation, and economic sustainability in the sector.

According to him, the fund will enable beneficiaries to establish or expand their enterprises, acquire equipment, and enhance productivity.

“This intervention is designed to help creatives thrive, become wealth creators, and generate employment opportunities for others,” he said.

The Commissioner clarified that the support is not a grant but a loan facility offered at a subsidised interest rate of seven per cent.

Beneficiaries will enjoy a six-month moratorium, after which repayment will begin over a two-year period under a revolving structure.

“As beneficiaries repay, more creatives will have the opportunity to access support. It is a continuous cycle aimed at expanding the impact of government investment in the sector,” he added.

He further disclosed that the fund is being administered through a designated financial institution responsible for managing disbursement and repayment processes.

Creative practitioners across Ekiti State have been encouraged to apply and take advantage of the initiative.