By Folarin Johnson
A fast rising Ekiti skit maker and comedian Christopher Owolabi, popularly known as Goroso Ekiti has entered into partnership with the Ekiti State Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism to further promote the State entertainment brand, the Sunday Sunday Variety Show tagged “Talents on the Loose.
Owolabi, who is currently observing his mandatory Youth Service after graduation from the Faculty of Agriculture of the Ekiti State University, was at the Ministry on Monday on the invitation of the Honourable State Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism, Professor Rasaki Ojo Bakare.
Professor Bakare, while receiving the young Ekiti public communicator and comedian, explained that it was part of the mandate of the Ministry to identify and develop promising talents. He said growing and encouraging local entertainment brand to a sustainable level was a way to fulfil part of the Ministry’s core objectives. He said the Ministry was happy that Goroso Ekiti has been proving himself a good Ambassador of the State by promoting the language and culture of the people of the State through his social media comedy skits. To further develop the Goroso Ekiti brand, Bakare promised to ensure that Christopher Owolabi was included as an active participant in all the local and international cultural exchange programmes of the Ministry.
The first African Professor of Dance also promised to give creative and professional support to Owolabi to improve his content in order to ensure the brand continues to witness more growth. Bakare affirms the continued support of the Ministry to all talented and creative individuals in the State. According to him, the Ministry has the professional capacity to assist budding talents to grow and make a living through artistic talents and creativity.
While welcoming Goroso Ekiti to the Ministry, the Permanent Secretary Barrister Bamidele Arowosola expressed satisfaction at the level of acceptability of the brand. He said partnering with the Ministry would further enhance the brand and make it well equipped professionally for further acceptability among Ekiti people both at home and in diaspora.
Director of Tourism and Hospitality, Prince Adebanji Adelusi, who was among the senior members of management present to receive Mr Owolabi, recalled the efforts of the Ministry towards marketing the brand to the social media public about 3 years ago when it was learnt that the brand was yet to receive the number of needed followership in order to qualify it for the receipts of royalties from YouTube. Prince Adelusi expressed confidence that Goroso Ekiti would perform more optimally now that Owolabi has entered into partnership with the Ministry to promote the State entertainment brand, Talents on the Loose”.
Adelusi however called the attention of the young Ekiti entertainer to areas of necessary improvements that would further help the brand to soar higher.
In his response, Mr Owolabi thanked the Ministry for the interest shown in his brand. He recalled the various experiences which nurtured his talent to the level it was. He went through the vista of memory, recalling how, while in Government Secondary School Emure, he would always say things that would make people laugh even without having such intention. He accepted to work with the Ministry, describing such partnership as being of mutual benefit.
The Honorable Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism, while speaking with the ekitourism correspondent revealed that Goroso Ekiti and Niyi Alawada would be anchoring the next Sunday show alongside the popular Nollywood star Prince Dele Odule who would be the special Star Guest of the August 14 show.
The show, slated for 4pm on Sunday 14th August 2022 at the Obafemi Awolowo Civic Centre, is a complete entertainment package of family-friendly content. Therefore, parents are expected to come along with their children. Corporate organizations are also invited to witness the show with members of their staff. There are arrangements for family tickets, corporate tickets and VIP tickets.
For further enquires the Business Manager and Head of Marketing, Mrs Olawale can be reached on: 0806 895 7658. Tickets are available at Fajuyi Memorial Garden, Porto Fino Eatery and Fabian Hotel Ado-Ekiti. Interested members of the public can also get their tickets from the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism, State Secretariat, Ado-Ekiti.
Ekiti Tourism & Hospitality News 