Ekiti has a unique brand in culture- Folorunso Folarin Coker, DG, NTDC By Jeremiah Okonjo in Abuja

Ekiti has a unique brand in culture- Folorunso Folarin Coker, DG, NTDC
By
Jeremiah Okonjo in Abuja
The Director-General, Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation, Mr Folorunso Folatin Coker has described Ekiti as one state which has a unique brand in its rich culture and value heritage
I Folarin Coker made this observation while receiving the delegation of the Ekiti State Council for Arts and Culture, led by its Director-General, Ambassador Wale Ojo Lanre in his office in Abuja
The DG, NTDC who commenced Governor Kayode Fayemi for his policy on value reorientation and cultural resuscitation described Ekiti State  has a paragon of immeasurable cultural heritage and pristine value which must be sustained for intergenerational upholding
He said he would have been embarrassed if  Ambassador Wale Ojo Lanre has not been on top of the game as the Director-General Ekiti State Council for Arts and Culture because of his versatility, exposure and quality experience in branding and marketing of culture, arts, hospitality, tourism and music
I Folarin Coker promised to support Ekiti State in branding with a unique product identifiable with the people of the state
Ambassador Ojo - Lanre who was accompanied to Abuja by the  Permanent Secretary of the Council, Alhaji Ganiyu Titilope Ibrahim , Director Ekiti State Standing Troupe , Mr Festus Abegunde and members of Ekiti State Standing Troupe in his response commended  Mr Folarin Coker for his enlightenment and education on how to enhance the cultural values and assets of Ekiti for global visibility and acceptability
While thanking Mr Folarin Coker on behalf of the Ekiti State Council, Alhaji Ganiyu described the brief engagement as ' an exciting period, full of illumination of the golden side of the cultural asset of Ekiti by a man who saw it from outside '
He assured Mr Folarin Coker of the Council readiness to collaborate and network with NTDC for the benefit of Ekiti State.
.picture : Director-General, NTDC , Mr Folorunso Folarin Coker ( middle) with Ambassador Wale Ojo Lanre, right, and Alhaji Ganiyu Ibrahim , left .

Why Ekiti NANTAAP supports Gov Fayemi story by Chinedu Okonjo

Ekiti NANTAAP  pledges support for   Gov Fayemi overvalue restoration

The Ekiti State Council for Arts and Culture hosted the National Association of Nigerian Theatre and Allied Arts Practice (NANTAAP); Ekiti State chapter.
The president of the association Omololu Abe said he was delighted to visit the Council. In his words " He has been following the council's activities with rapt attention and he is glad that Dr John Kayode Fayemi appointed the right man for the right office. He further stated that the Association is ready to work in tandem with the Council to promote Arts and Culture in Ekiti State."

The Director-General of the council Ambassador Wale Ojo lanre in his response thanked the Almighty God for peace in Ekiti and appreciated the Governor, Dr John Kayode Fayemi for his visionary leadership. Ambassador Ojo lanre also said he has been following Theatre practice since 1985 and sponsoring stage plays since his University days. He assured the association of the Government support to work with them and also lay down the basic fundamentals for the office to be sustained. He further said that the intellectual contributions of theatre practitioners cannot be neglected as they tend to give meaning to promoting arts and culture from its abstract form to its conceptual actualization

Read and see what Iya Rainbow did in Ekiti State

Iya Rainbow visits Ekiti State Council for Arts and Culture
Arts and Culture is the soul of a given society. Any society who fails to enhance this sector is doomed to fall
Thank God , Governor John Kayode Fayemi is a leading light of cultural resuscitation in Nigeria and Ekiti state
His efforts in this area are being appreciated by distinguished Nigerians who make their
ways to visit Ekiti to Identify with his cultural vision
Yesterday, Prophetess Idowu Philips , aka , Iya Rainbow , the distinguished thespian was at the Council for Arts and Culture, Ado Ekiti.
See her dancing..
Iya Rainbow was the one who initiated the first-year students of Ekiti State University Theatre and Media Art Department into the theatre, profession.

....powered by Ekiti State Council for Arts and Culture

How Nigerians can benefit from US Consulate Documentary film - Russell Brooks , Consulate Public Affairs Officer

Remarks by U.S. Consular Officer on USConsulate Documentary Film.
Good Morning and welcome to the Inaugural U.S. Consulate Documentary Film Festival.  We’re excited to host this auspicious event with our partners, Ascends International Studios Limited and the Silverbird Group. Let me extend a big thank you to all of our panelists, and of course our audience: film professionals, film students, or just film enthusiasts. I thank you all for coming out to show your support. And of course, I must thank the members of the media for joining us today as well. I hope that everyone of you will benefit from this Festival!

The Inaugural U.S. Consulate Documentary Film Festival is an expression of the commitment of the U.S. Consulate to strengthen the ties that link Nigeria and the United States of America. We recognize that we have many common interests and concerns. We are very proud of our engagement with Nigerians in the areas of health, education, economic development, security assistance, and the promotion of democratic institutions. Here in Lagos, we are also intimately involved with the creative community. We especially support that community’s efforts to use the power of film, music, dance, or literature to expose society’s ills or celebrate the brilliance and artistry that also form the human experience.

Over the next few days, we will highlight the American Film Showcase, the premier film diplomacy program of the U.S. Department of State, which is produced in partnership with the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts.

The American Film Showcase brings award-winning contemporary American documentaries, independent fiction films, and documentary know-how to audiences around the world, offering a view of American society and culture as seen by independent filmmakers.

We will showcase eight documentary films accompanied by eeight-panel sessions. Each of the films is designed to spark thought and dialogue. We also hope they will inspire some in the audience to explore the means of telling their own stories.

Tomorrow, we will be treated to a virtual appearance by the director of the film I Am Jane Doe. Her film is one of the most discussed documentaries of recent years due to its riveting subject matter. Please make an effort to be here to hear from her.

These documentaries are intended to offer contemporary insights into American society.  You will see exciting and inspirational stories that span entrepreneurship, technology, food, music and dance as well as some disturbing aspects of the darker sides of human nature. Whether these stories are uplifting or distressing, these are important stories that must be told. We owe it to the heroes … to the victims … we owe it to ourselves.

Let me conclude by thanking all of our partners again. We could not have done this without you.

I am confident this Festival will prove to be a tremendous success and I hope it will become a consistent feature of our cultural engagement with the Lagos State and the people of Nigeria.

As always, God bless the people of Nigeria … and God bless the United States of America.  Thank you very much.

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When Erelu Fayemi committed sacrilege?

See Erelu Fayemi, Ekiti first lady  committing a sacrilege ?
Of course to many of us
Who believe that anybody who is at the top position
Who God has raised to a higher level
Should naturally jettison the behavioural pattern
Of a normal decent and reasonable human being
People believe that stupidity of greatness should come in
Though it may not even be the believe
But an expected behavioural pattern
Of some who see the lifting up as a time to acquire new rules, new set of behaviours
And when an exception emerges
It is strange. It is sacreligious to some
And when Erelu Fayemi knelt down before her former teacher!
Imagine a whole first lady of Ekiti State
Yes, one of the very best of homosapiens
A well-travelled fellow
Cosmopolitan in view and global in outlook
The First Lady of a whole Ekiti State
The state full of Professors
The state where every house has produced a graduate 
An intercontinental woman who has mingled and still drill rubbing minds with great men and women in the world
Imagine this woman
At a public place
Where there are culturalists
At the presence of prosperous fellow of arts and culture
Saw one old man
Who's dressing was very unattractive
A man who was one of the five people to arrive
The Ekiti State Cultural Centre
At 9:15
For an event scheduled to commence at 10 am
And in the glaring eye of all Erelu
 Bisi Fayemi
In her majesty and majestic
Without minding that the floor will cast stain
On her dress
Knelt down
With observed humility
To  a man
Who she described as her teacher
Who had taught her in the University
Long years ago
And just because of that
The whole First Lady
Of Ekiti has to do the cultural way
Our own tradition of greeting an elder
Showing a robust sense of being a thoroughbred
From a good home
Who married a naturally and culturally responsible husband
A family which honours value, culture , moral , ethics and tradition
Had to kneel down
And in humility for
Professor Olomola
Who was a one of the guests at
The first Ekiti State Council for Arts and Culture Stakeholders' Forum
Some believed it was a sacrilege
But
Bibire ko se fowora.
Bi a bini ko to ka tunra bi
...

Read what happened to Olugbo Obateru,

Olugbo bags Award?
Dr. Ayobami Owolabi, President: Institute of Personality Development and Customer Relationship Management and Oba F.E.O. Akinruntan, after the investure of the Oba as the Chairman, Body of Fellows of the Institute, recently...

Facts about Ire Ekiti first house with iron sheet roof

Ire Ekiti first House with Zinc!
 This is the first House to be roofed with zinc or iron sheet in Ire
Built in 1938
By the late Chief Mosele Arohunmodoye father of Ajilaran
A prosperous farmer
Who married 16 wives
It has 13 rooms
The zinc was purchased in Otun Ekiti
Held a meeting with the community for the enhancement of the site
....powered by Ekiti State Council for Arts and Culture

Meet Abimbola Aladejare , the Ekiti girl who is leading a gang of youths

Abimbola Aladejare and her gang of agenda setters
The beautiful youths in Ekiti have emerged! What was on God's mind when Abimbola Aladejare was created for Ekiti?
It is the truth that God is omniscience.
He knows that at this time, period and in this state of Ekiti
A lady with a robust mind of the solid mission would be needed in Ekiti for the redemption of our youths
That was my thinking when this game-changing lady who led 9 others awesomely  reasonable youths into my office this morning ( Thursday 15 August) opened her mouth to talk
Initially, I thought she was leading the usual band of never -do - well youths who hide under one or other youth associations in order to satisfy their personal endeavours 
And as she, with flawless diction, and appropriate choice of words reeled out the missions of Ekiti Youth Agenda, it's strides, acts and deeds, my belly was happy and my inner self rained avalanche of prayer on her
It was one of the finest moments of engaging a purely altruistic, patriotic, selfless and forward-looking youth organisation.
In fact, my Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Ganiyu Ibrahim could not hide his feeling when he said " before I thought Nigeria was  doomed because of the dearth of responsible and forward-looking youths who are genuinely interested in self-development for national growth but you people have raised my hope that we still have youths who are hope raisers and who are the change agents for a bright Nigeria"
And honestly, this lady and her gang represent the new order of Ekiti youths.
They are sequestering themselves from the maddening crowd of yahoo plus, segregating themselves from those who " po chemical PO' and steering away from indecency  and abhorring  despicable mannerism
And Abimbola is not only brilliant
She is focussed and showcasing a brightly
Intelligent testimony of being the
 Executive Director, of
The New Generation Girls and Women Development Initiative, NIGAWD in a  spectacular and head swelling form
She is also the leader of Ekiti Youth Agenda
A youth agenda not fashioned in the vogue begging for a favour or pecuniary benefit
A youth agenda not after eulogising a political potentate or a money missed road for selfish reasons
Abimbola is leading a bright and intelligent 10 wonderful youths who are hope raisers and a team of youth who are setting agenda for the empowerment of the people, development of the society,  advocating behavioural rebirth for the youth, emphasising quality mentoring from the elders and advancing for an intergenerational sustainability of the pristine cultural values of integrity, hard work, tenacity of purpose and agrarian honesty, all the hallmarks of a typical Ekiti person
This lady and her gang is assuring us that 
 all hope is not lost over our youths
Eloquent in delivery of the agenda's vision
Cool and calm in her poise
Collected in presentation
Analytical and deep
Solid in thoughts
Reasonable and sensible in acts
Abimbola and her gang represents a new deal
Hope in the horizon
A gang of heavenly sent redeemers of our youths
A future in the present to mould the present for the future
A messiah who is setting a new track for the youths to follow
And at the end of her speech after which she presented The 2019 Ekiti Youth Agenda to the Council for Arts and Culture, all of us stood up and chorused  " the beautiful youths in Ekiti have risen. Praise the Lord "

We’ll make laws to reinforce Fayemi’s cultural-arts vision – Hon Adeyemi Ajibade, Ekiti House Committee Chairman on Arts, Culture and Tourism.
The Chairman, Ekiti State House of Assembly Committee on Arts, Culture and Tourism, Hon Adeyemi Ajibade has declared the determination of its Committee to make laws which will reinforce and solidify the cultural –art vision of Governor John Kayode Fayemi.
Hon Ajibade who made this promise with other members of the committee which include Honourables, Akanle Lateef Ajibade, Lucas Oluwatoyin, Ayokunle Yemisi, Arubu Michael Kola and Omoniyi Joseph Ibukun while playing host to the team of Ekiti State Council for Arts and Culture led by Ambassador Wale Ojo Lanre, Director – General of the Council which paid a courtesy visit to the Committee at the Ekiti State house of Assembly recently
 Hon Ajibade who commended Ambassador Wale Ojo Lanre for being proactive and sensible for visiting the House declared that “I must commend the entire Council of Arts and Culture for its robust sense of responsibility by visiting us. This is because, upon our inauguration, after receiving a letter of congratulations from the Council, we sent a letter informing the Council of our intention to pay a visit. But to our surprise, the Council responded with a letter which informed the House that it will be the one to pay a visit first bearing in mind that the Council is a creation of an Act of the parliament. This is very thoughtful and responsible for the Council. Thus, you are mostly and warmly welcome “
The Chairman also commended Governor Kayode Fayemi for injecting purposefulness and sanity into   governance via the appointment of quality persons and fostering of sustainable policies with legal backing on the state
Hon Ajibade said “Ekiti is no longer a whipping boy state of the Federation neither is it any longer a state where governance was reduced to yo-yo and job for the gutter men. We have a Governor who thinks, who reasons, a philosopher ruler and a man who understands the import of quality legal framework as fundamentals for the growth and health of the state “
   He said “Legal framework and its provisions are essential for the growth of any sector with the frame of mind for sustainability.  We at the Committee for Arts, Culture and Tourism will do everything legislatively proper to assist the Governor and the state at having a solid Arts, Culture and Tourism sector “
In his response, Ambassador Ojo – Lanre in the company the Permanent Secretary of the Council, Alhaji Ganiyu Ibrahim and other Directors said the visit was not only necessary but of utmost important to underscore the basic relationship between the Legislative and executive.
He pointed out that “Yes we have the concept of separation of powers but none of the three arms of government can maintain stone-walled isolation or total submission to the separation of powers  considering the interrelationship and interlinkage of administrative necessity.”
Ambassador Ojo – Lanre said “it is very imperative of us to pay this visit to your Committee which has oversight responsibility on our Council.  Government deliver best to the people when all the arms work in harmony and in sequence to their constitutional responsibility.”
The Director-General said “We need a synergy of purpose between the Committee and the Council. There are a lot of miles to cover particularly in the Arts and Culture sector which Governor Kayode Fayemi is tending, growing and nurturing. It needs to be fortified with legislative fibre and vitamins and your Committee is the legislative midwife for this “

I will support Governor Fayemi's cultural -value initiatives - Akintunde Ayeni , President Yem Kem International

I will support Gov Fayemi's cultural- values initiative -.Dr Akintunde Ayeni , President Yem Kem

 .

The path airport under of herbal medicine revolution in Nigeria, Dr Akintunde Ayeni has promised to support and reinforce the cultural - values programme of Dr John Kayode Fayemi
The President, Yem Kem Herbal Products and owner of Pathfinder Hotels, Ado Ekiti Dr Ayeni made this promised while receiving a delegation of the Ekiti State Council of Arts and Culture led by Ambassador Wale Ojo Lanre in his office yesterday.
Dr Ayeni said " I am highly impressed by the action of the Director-General, Ambassador Wale Ojo Lanre who is expected to sit in his office calling the shot but who now leads his team to see how we the stakeholders are fairing. This is a sign that a responsive government is in the saddled in Ekiti State "
He pointed out that " Let me tell this August team that some of us who are in the arts and culture sector appreciate the smooth cultural and value revolution which Dr Kayode Fayemi has set in motion in this state which is being vigorously pursued in sequential order by the Ekiti State Council for Arts and Culture under the leadership of Ambassador Wale Ojo Lanre"
Dr Ayeni said " Dr Fayemi is working hard to prevent Ekiti from being a failed state because any state who failed to protect, promote, preserve and showcase his culture and values will fail and end up in ridicule "
Dr Ayeni observed that " kindly study the nations that are working today and advancing in technology, economy and business, they are the nations that protect and promote their culture. Britain, Japan, China, the far East, America. Koreas, these nations do not only promote and preserve their culture but striving hard to lord it over others while we in Nigeria are daily hidden and destroying ours '
, He regretted that " my sad and sore point is the fact that those who are supposed to be the protectors and guardians of our heritage, the traditional obas and chiefs have turned themselves to transmitters of foreign culture '
He revealed that " Some of us who appreciate the efforts of Governor Fayemiise ready and willing to support his culture and value resuscitation. . and policy "
       Earlier , the Director-General , Ekiti State Council for Arts and Culture , Ambassador Wale Ojo Lanre  who was accompanied by Mr Abdul , Director Publication and Documentation said that the visit was to show appreciation for the commendable role Dr Ayeni has been playing in the preservation of Yoruba culture and value particularly his pathfinder's role in the art of using natural plant and leave for medicinal purpose .

See how U.S. Navy Band Thrilled Nigerian Audiences

                                                                     

U.S. Navy Band Thrills Nigerian Audiences

Lagos— For the second time this year, “Topside,” a brass band of the United States Naval Forces Europe, visited Nigeria from July 28-30 to bolster the U.S.-Nigerian relationship through the power of music.

Whether it was “When the Saints Go Marching In,” “Stand By Me,” “Lion Sleeps Tonight,” or “Water No Get Enemy,” the high-energy performances of the “Topside” band were well received by Nigerian audiences.

On the first day of their visit, the band performed American and Nigerian tunes to the delight of approximately 300 children and youths at the Johnson Jakande Tinubu Park in Alausa, Lagos.

Topside also captivated a crowd at Freedom Park where they performed a special rendition of Afro-beat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti’s classic “Water No Get Enemy” to the delight of music lovers who sang and danced along with the band.

Monday, the group of nine musicians conducted a masterclass for established and emerging local musicians, including members of the Nigerian Trumpet Guild. Building on their long-standing partnership, the U.S. Navy band shared best practices with their Nigeria Navy, Air Force and Police counterparts.

“We’re really excited to be playing for our Nigerian partners again, our last visit to Lagos was so well received,” said Musician 3rd Class Michael Parker, a member of the Topside band.

The U.S. Navy band performed at a special reception commemorating the 2019 Africa Partnership Station (APS) Mission.  The event was held at the Nigerian Naval Dockyards in Victoria Island, Lagos and was attended by U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Kathleen FitzGibbon; U.S. Naval Forces Europe Deputy Chief of Strategy, Resources and Plans, Rear Admiral John Gumbleton; Nigerian Navy’s Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Oladele Daji; alongside Nigerian political and business leaders as well as members of the diplomatic corps.

  

Topside was in Nigeria to support the visit by the USNS Carson City, which has been deployed to the Gulf of Guinea on the Africa Partnership Station (APS) mission. APS is U.S. Naval Forces Europe’s flagship maritime security cooperation program, focusing on maritime safety and security through increased maritime awareness, response capabilities, and infrastructure.

Topside visited Nigeria in March to support the 2019 Obangame Express exercise sponsored by the U.S. Africa Command. This week’s visit underscores the strong bilateral relationship and people-to-people ties between the United States and Nigeria.

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Photo 1: United States Naval Forces Europe Topside Band during a performance at the at the Johnson Jakande Tinubu Park in Alausa in Lagos on Sunday. Photo Credit: U.S. Consulate General Lagos. 

Photo 2: The United States Naval Forces Europe Topside Band during a joint performance with Nigeria Police Band and members of the Nigerian Trumpet Guild in Ikeja on Monday. Photo Credit: U.S. Consulate General Lagos. 

Photo 3: United States Naval Forces Europe Topside Band during a performance at the Freedom Park in Lagos on Sunday evening. Photo Credit: U.S. Consulate General Lagos.