Follow Us on Google
From Priscilla Ediare, Ado-Ekiti
Ekiti State is set to host the maiden edition of Ekiti International Theatre Festival, as over 50,000 tourists from within and outside the State and Nigeria are expected to grace the event.
The festival, billed to hold from August 20 to 25, is a public-private partnership between Lagos-based Duke of Shomolu Foundation and the Ekiti State Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy.
The Festival Director, Prof. Rasaki Ojo Bakare, made this known to newsmen at a press conference heralding the festival held at the Obafemi Awolowo Civic Centre in Ado-Ekiti, capital of the state.
Bakare noted that the Duke of Shomolu Foundation is solely funding the event while the state’s Ministry is the host.
He said, “The Duke of Shomolu Foundation sponsors and produces theatre. The Foundation is owned by an investment banker called Joseph Edgar, and his wife, Mofoluwake Edgar, is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.
“Joseph Edgar is a banker and not an artiste, but he loves theatre and his own way of giving back to the society is by funding his passion. I am one of his consultants, directors and playwrights that work with him, and through this, we are able to entice him to bring this festival to Ekiti State.
“He has invested about N150 million into Ekiti State because that is what they are spending to finance the festival.”
“And all the people that are going to be acting in all the performances and other activities are from Ekiti State, they are being employed and will earn for being part of the festival.
“The MD of Unity Bank will present cheques to the 16 local governments because they are giving grants to the local governments. I told you it is funded by the private sector. Both the 16 local governments and the command performances are funded by them. Each of the local governments was given money to produce the plays they are bringing in.”
The former Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy explained that August 20 will be the arrival date for participants, while competitive performances will start from August 21 to 23 at the Obafemi Awolowo Civic Centre, Ado-Ekiti.
He disclosed that the 16 Local Governments in the state will showcase their theatrical talents, with the top four earning prizes and awards, adding that the competition is part of a broader initiative by the Duke of Shomolu Foundation to identify and nurture young talents for future opportunities in the creative arts industry.
He also noted that top Nollywood artistes like Dele Odule, Anu Omoloro( the lead actor and producer of Orijin), Tunde Ijadunola, Kehinde Ayeni and many other artistes are expected at the festival.
He added that the festival will feature three command performances to celebrate Nigeria’s historical figures, including Ladi Kwali, Sir Ahmadu Bello, and Chief Moshood Abiola.
He emphasised that the festival is aimed at boosting the state’s cultural image, identifying young talents, contributing to the local economy, and making Ekiti conspicuous on the global cultural map.
Other News
“The festival will begin on the 20th of August and end on the 25th of August, 2025. The 20th is when artistes, tourists, and stakeholders will arrive in Ekiti State.
“We are going to be having over 50,000 tourists in Ekiti State, apart from artistes and culture enthusiasts that are coming. We are using the festival to attract people to Ekiti State. Some of them are going to be touring our sites
“The Governor of the state, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, will declare the festival open and will be here to watch some of the command performances,
“All activities will be held inside the hall at the Obafemi Awolowo Civic Centre, specifically in the Arts Theatre, except on the 24th, when we will all be going to Ikogosi. The activities on the 24th are devoted to the Ikogosi Resort.
“The content of the festival is designed in a way that Ekiti State is mapped into the traditional 16 local governments. Each of the 16 local governments will bring a theatrical performance. The 16 local governments are competing, and we will select the top four for prizes and awards.
“Bringing this festival into Ekiti is part of our effort to mainstream creative arts into the economy of Ekiti State. We are hosting this festival because art is a soft power in international and national diplomacy. I can proudly state that Ekiti State today enjoys a good image nationally and internationally.
“Three special command performances will also be staged: Ladi Kwali (August 21), Sardauna (August 22), and Kashimawo (August 23), all of which are historical plays designed to teach moral lessons and preserve Nigeria’s heritage.
“On August 24, activities will shift to Ikogosi warm springs resort for a day-long cultural exchange, before returning to Ado-Ekiti for the grand finale and awards ceremony on August 25.”
The Professor pointed out that the festival is aimed at boosting the state’s cultural image, identifying young talents, contributing to the local economy, and making Ekiti conspicuous on the global cultural map
“The content of the festival is designed in a way that Ekiti State is mapped into the traditional 16 local government areas. Each of the 16 LGAs will bring a theatrical performance. So the 16 local governments are competing, and we will be choosing the best four for prizes and awards.
“Bringing this festival into Ekiti is part of our effort to mainstream creative arts into the economy of the State. We are hosting this festival because art is soft power in international and national diplomacy. I can proudly state that Ekiti State today enjoys a good image nationally and internationally, in public relations, in image making and building, the creative arts are very powerful, it is an image maker, and through this festival, we are also contributing to the making of the global image of our dear state.”
Responding to the security arrangements put in place for the festival, he said, “One of the things we began early enough was working to make sure that we do not have any security breach. We have a whole committee of experienced people who are handling that. All the security that will work with us are already mobilised and they will begin to work from Sunday, August 17, when people will start coming into Ekiti State. In fact, we have prepared to the extent that right from our borders, there will be security checks to make sure that even those who are coming in by road, the moment they get within Ekiti State, are protected.”
Bakare further revealed that “plans are in place to host the festival annually in Ekiti for the next five years, provided there is strong local support.“
He encouraged residents to attend the festival in large numbers and extend the state’s trademark hospitality to visitors.
Other dignitaries expected at the festival include the Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, Senators and members of the House of Representatives representing Ekiti State at the National Assembly, captains of industries, top government functionaries, Managing Directors of Unity Bank, First Bank, Managing Directors of companies, traditional rulers, among others.
