Ekiti Tourism & Hospitality News

By: Deji Fatoba Edited by: Adebanji Adelusi

The Arts, Culture and Tourism Ministry in Ekiti State has continued to receive more positive applause for its numerous achievements within the space of 4 years. The latest commendation was given by Brendance & Crusader Limited, the organizers of Miss Nigeria International Beauty competition.

The organization, which has succeeded in 10 editions of the event, commended Ekiti State Government for its remarkable investment in the development of Culture and tourism as well as arts and creative entreprenuership in the State.

While speaking in Ado-Ekiti on Monday at a Press Briefing organized by the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism, the Chief Executive Officer of the organization, Mr Brendan Nsikak, affirmed that Ekiti State has gained global recognition as one of the few States in Nigeria where tourism activities are significantly thriving.

Announcing Ado-Ekiti as the chosen venue for the 11th edition of Miss Nigeria Beauty Peageantry , Mr Nsikak said Ekiti State has, through positive attention given to tourism by the current administration, become an attractive destination for high- valued tourism events. He noted that Ekiti State is gaining recognition as most conducive destination for high profile events, both recreational and business, because of the experience of the managers of the sector and the purposeful leadership, sincerity and commitment of the administration to true Change.

Bringing the Miss Nigeria Beauty Pageantry Competition to Ekiti State is borne out of such recognition and would further open new windows of opportunity for more development in the tourism and entertainment sector in the State, he said.

The Honourable State Commissioner for Arts, Culture & Tourism, Prof Rasaki Ojo Bakare, who received the organization’s delegation expressed appreciation on behalf the government and people of the State for such privilege of hosting being offered the State by Brendance & Crusader Limited for the Miss Nigeria International event.

According to him, Brendance & Crusader is an organization with high integrity . He also described Mr & Miss Nigeria International show, as a brand that has become globally recognized for its great value to the society. Part of this value is its immense contributions to creation of both local and global opportunities for its participants.

Buttressing this fact, Bakare said many of the previous participants have, aside participating in other international pageantry competitions, have become best paid models and celebrities. This he said were made possible based on the post-event follow-up programs of the organization.

He said, having considered the tourism impact hosting of such world- class event would have on the State, and the fact that all it would cost the State is the provision of hospitality as well as sharing of our health-giving and unpolluted air from the pristine Ekiti environment with the event guests and participants, the State Government is prepared to host the 11th edition of the world-class entertainment event.

Prof Bakare said Ekiti people are very friendly and accommodating. This, coupled with the remarkable investment of government on cultural promotion and tourism development, would continue to bring more receipts in tourism activities in Ekiti State.

Professor Bakare therefore pledged the Ministry’s support towards the successful hosting of the event being proposed to hold early October, 2022. He said, in addition to assisting the organizers in securing accommodation venues at well negotiated prices, the Ministry would avail them access to tourism facilities in the State which might be necessary for the participants in the show to visit within their 2-week stay in Ekiti ahead of the grand finale of the event.

He said the Ministry, having hosted NAFEST 2021 which so far has been considered the best, both in planning and execution, is already physically and mentally wired to handle far bigger events. Therefore, logistic support would also be given aside other sundry contributions that the Ministry would decide on before the date.

In her contribution, the marketing consultant to the organization, Dr Chidimma Okafor expressed joy at the warm reception given the delegation by the Ministry. She said judging by the experience of the Honorable Commissioner in managing high profile events, like the Abuja International Carnival and many more like it, she had no doubt that the event would be successful.

She described Prof. Bakare as an all- round professional who, despite his global reputation and recognition, is so much committed and dedicated to the development and driving of tourism and entertainment in Ekiti State.

She said Miss Nigeria International Beauty pageantry competition is an impactful method of cultural intervention. This, she said, made her , a medical doctor, join the Brendance & Crusader limited. Being a skin specialist, she believes the programs of the organization would provide her a platform to check the risky trend of skin bleaching and promote healthy skin and healthy approach to beauty.

Dr Okafor commended the Government of Ekiti State for encouraging series of positive activities that continue to bring people to the State. She noted that tourism thrives on purposeful human traffic, therefore beyond the immediate gain, there are innumerable advantages of hosting the the 11th edition of the Miss Nigeria International.

Answering questions from journalists on the likely budget of the event, the CEO of Brendance & Crusader Limited, Mr. Nsikak explained that the event is estimated to gulp N60 Million. He said there are lots of new sponsors who were willing to be part of the programs and that most of the old sponsors were ready to also continue to make sponsorship contributions. He however urged Ekiti State corporate and individual business owners to also see the show as a window of marketing opportunity for their businesses. Different categories of sponsorship are open to enable local entrepreneurs tap into the benefits of projecting their products and services beyond the boundaries of Ekiti State.

On whether the indigenes of Ekiti are included among the list of contestants, Mr Nsikak explained that Ekiti State is the only State with 3 contestants in the competition.

The 3 of them, he said, would engage in a competition to have the “Miss Ekiti “who would compete with the remaining 35 States and the FCT making 36 opponents. All the 37 queens would pass through various stages of elimination till the list is filtered down to 20 girls who would come into the grand finale, he explained.

According to him, all the contestants would be in Ekiti State for 14 days passing through various competitive events all aimed at discovering their various talents and testing their innate physical abilities and intellectual aptitude.

Responding to questions from a journalist on the likely cost on Ekiti State Government, Professor Bakare reiterated that Ekiti State Government is basically expected to provide enabling environment for the successful hosting of the event in the State. He said the involvement of Ekiti State Government is at no significant cost. He emphasized that, just like NAFEST, the program is to attract people to Ekiti State to further galvanize the economy through retail sales of products and services. He however made it clear that security and transportation logistics would be provided to ease movement of participants to tourism sites.

Members of the organization who visited the State and attended the brief include:
the CEO Brendance & Crusader Limited, Ambassador Brendan Nsikak, Board Director for Logistics Mr Unuame Kenneth Eseoghene, Head of Marketing Dr. Chidimma Okafor, Board Director, Mr. Oviomaighno Stephen and, Member of Board, Mr. Okereke Sunday

While appreciating journalists and the Miss Nigeria International organizing team, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism, Barrister Simeon Bamidele Arowosola expressed gratitude to them for joining the list of corporate organizations who have come out to appreciate the developmental efforts of the State Government on the sector. Arowosola assured the Board of Miss Nigeria International of total support of the Ministry. He also thanked the men of the Fourth Estate for their developmental journalism and for projecting the sector positively to the public.