By Adebanji Adelusi
Ekiti State Performing Arts Company EKSPAC has again been commended for its efforts in the diversification of recreation and leisure activities in the State and for creating a platform for talent discovery and development through its Sunday/Sunday Variety Show tagged “Talents on the Loose”.
Speaking at the end of the August last Sunday show held at the Obafemi Awolowo Civic Centre, an Ijesha-born oil and gas Engineer, Mr Aluko Oluwaseyi Titus expressed satisfaction that Ekiti State has gotten it right in almost every facet particularly in the area of infrastructure and entertainment. He said he had never thought that Ekiti State would get to the level She has gotten so soon.
Engineer Aluko said the Sunday/Sunday Variety Show is a good social responsibility and commended Ekiti State Performing Arts Company for giving the audience a greater value for their money. Aluko, who is married to an Ado-Ekiti woman, affirmed that the show was truly a Family-Friendly one and that his children got inspired watching young artistes brilliantly performing.
Also relating her experience after the August 28 show, a business woman and socialite, Mrs Dellis Saka said she was happy she came with her teenage kids. She said she felt very comfortable and relaxed having gotten well assured that no obscenities or foul languages would be used unlike most shows. Mrs Saka commended Ekiti State Government for building such a massive complex which has such a magnificent theatre. She explained that with the content of the variety show, the talents exhibited and the beauty of the Civic Centre, Ekiti State could no longer be classified as a State bereft of better recreation and leisure activities except liquor consumption.
An arts patron and great supporter of the Sunday/ Sunday Variety Show, Architect Tope Ogunleye, described the show as a great initiative that has begun to impact positively on the social life of Ekiti people. Judging by the increasing number of attendees, Ogunleye said the show is gaining acceptability in a geometrical proportion. He commended Professor Rasaki Ojo Bakare for making ceaseless efforts towards transforming entertainment in Ekiti State. Prof Bakare, according to him, is situating Ekiti State among the class of entertainment-vibrant States in Nigeria through the various innovations and reforms being executed by the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism.
The Special Adviser to Ekiti State Governor on Special Projects, Architect Ogunleye however advised that more publicity was needed to further drive patronage. He explained that some of the 50 people he sponsored to the August 14 show, sponsored themselves to the August 28 edition to have another beautiful experience. This, he said, was a clear testimony that people actually love the initiative. He emphasized that many more people would be reached if publicity is intensified.
Speaking with Ekitourism News, the Director of Culture, Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Abdul Babalola revealed that sustaining the show was at a high cost to the Ministry. He said the sacrifice was, however, very necessary.
Ekiti people, according to him, are traditionally serious-minded; they set their priorities within the most basic necessities and hardly create much time for leisure activities beyond local and traditional festivities and ceremonies.
Babalola said the N500 price of ticket was meant to encourage Ekiti people to enable the Ministry cultivate in them the “theatre culture”. The theatre culture, he explained, would translate to economic prosperity in the long run when local talents have a platform to showcase their talents and begin to develop and transform to super stars.
Babalola revealed that what the Ministry is doing currently is investing into the future of Ekiti creative consciousness. Therefore, prospects of making profit or yeilding revenue immediately might not be feasible. He said the Fayemi administration has set the stage for talent discovery, talents development and development of theatre culture through the massive construction of the first-class theatre edifice, the likes of which can only be found in Lagos and Porthacourt. Therefore, it was incumbent upon the Ministry to provide content, policies and initiatives that would ensure the vision of government is achieved.
Sunday/Sunday Variety Show is a new initiative designed by Professor Rasaki Ojo Bakare. It was conceived as a means through which Ekiti people can recreate and relax with members of their family in a conducive and friendly atmosphere apart from clubs, parks and hotels. It also as platform for the exhibition and development of talents. This explains why the show is also tagged ‘ Talents on the Loose”.
In order to grow the act of recreation and promote healthy living in the State, Ekiti politicians and well-meaning people should emulate Architect Tope Ogunleye by sponsoring members of their families, friends or political followers and associate to attend the show. This would serve multiple benefits of sustaining the initiative, burning out stress and strengthening relationships.
Ekiti Tourism & Hospitality News 