Ekiti’s magical exploits at NAFEST 2020

By Jerry Adesewo

JUST a few weeks ago, Ekiti State did the unthinkable, as it won everything winnable at the 2020 edition of the International Festival of Arts and Culture (IFAC) held in Abuja, and emerged the overall winner at that event, to the chagrin of everyone.

If that was considered a fluke, the 33^rd National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST 2020) held in the ancient city of Jos, Plateau State, has confirmed that the feat was a result of the creative ingenuity, commitment and hunger for excellence by managers of culture in the state.

While there is no doubting the rich cultural heritage of the people of Ekiti State, and their ability to perform at the very top, the state, popularly known and referred as the ‘Fountain of Knowledge,’ had lived in the shadows of other culturally vibrant states in her 24 years of existence.

The state’s cultural resurgence started with the recent appointment of Rasaki Ojo Bakare as the Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism, a position he assumed from his status as the Dean of Post Graduate Studies at the Federal University, Oye Ekiti.

Professor Bakare, a seasoned playwright, dancer, choreographer, and theatre director hits the ground running, repositioning the state’s cultural landscape. One of such bold steps taken was the recent employment of 32 graduates into the ministry, after an extremely competitive selection process, as approved by the supportive and artistic-minded governor of the state, Dr, Kayode Fayemi.

With eyes on the Gold Gong, which is the overall prize of the National Festival for Arts and Culture, Ekiti participated in all the nine competitive events of the festival, aside the opening and closing ceremonies. In fact, had the opening and closing ceremony been part of the competitive events, it would surely have added some marks to Ekiti. The opening parade was personally-led by the Commissioner himself. Ojo-Rasaki was applauded as he led the Ekiti contingent, doing just what he has done almost all his life — dancing and singing.

The state’s entry for the Choral Music competition was simply breathtaking and could not have fetched her anything less than the gold gong it captured in that category. While the audience painfully watched other states confusing choral music with traditional dance presentations, Ekiti which was one of 18 states that entered for that category, simply went for the kill. The costume, the voices and most importantly, the storyline blended creatively to deliver a golden performance. It was simply magical!

Ekiti also won gold in the traditional fabric competition. Silver in Ayo board game and Archery competition. Bronze in Traditional Cuisine Competition and the Children Indigenous Musical Instrumentation competition, while it came a distant fourth in the Cultural Quiz competition.

The Children Indigenous Musical Instrumentation event presented another evidence of Ekiti’s cultural prowess. The young children who represented Ekiti state were a delight to watch. They were the youngest of all participating team in that category but yet gave a good showing of their dexterity on the traditional instruments. Their interpretation of the theme: Nigeria my Beloved, was spotless. The audience had fun.

The best Covid-19 compliant contingent at NAFEST 2020 also went to Ekiti State. Though it had the largest contingent of over 150 artistes, Ekiti ensures, on and off the stage, that it fully observed the Covid-19 health protocols to the fullest. You see in them, a team that is focused and disciplined.

DIRECTOR of Culture, Ekiti State Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Banji Adelusi revealed that Ekiti’s feat at NAFEST 2020 was a result of over six weeks of hard work, led by the Commissioner himself. He said “Ekiti went into this year’s edition with conscious determination to come from the rear to the frontal space. The training and preparation were consistent and rigorous. We have never had a meticulous preparation towards any national competition as this, and we are happy that the end justifies the means”.

What this has shown also, is the sincerity of the state government to revive arts and culture in the state. This commitment was demonstrated by the re-establishment of the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism, which the previous administration scrapped, and the appointment of a world-class professional and renown professor of theatre arts, the recruitment exercise and budgetary commitment.

In essence, the reckoning Ekiti State has won for herself in arts, culture and tourism in the last 12 months is a direct result of the governor’s faith in that sector and the hard work of the ministry, led by Prof. Rasaki Ojo Bakare.

THE State is not returning home  with her plethora of gongs alone, but with the hosting gong as it was declared the host of the 34^th National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST 2021). Anambra, Ekiti and Kebbi states bided for the hosting right of what is now called post-Covid-19 NAFEST but Ekiti won the bid.

Speaking on the hosting, Bakare simply said “We would rewrite the history of NAFEST. We would make it what it should be. Cultural festivals can compete favourably with Sport and other festivals and that is what Ekiti’s hosting of NAFEST will do to this annual festival. And if you know what my Governor represents, in terms of pursuit of excellence, then you know what awaits you in NAFEST 2021 in Ekiti,” he said, stressing that the Governor Fayemi’s commitment and support have been unprecedented.

Ekiti is indeed, the land of honour!