In its bid to strengthening the creative capacity and widening the horizon of the arts and culture sector, the Ekiti State Council for Arts and Culture has inaugurated the first-ever Collective, named as Network of Ekiti State Creative Artists (NECA).

Inaugurating the body Tuesday in his office, the Director-General, Ekiti State Council for Arts and Culture, Ambassador Wale Ojo Lanre said the need for the inauguration of the collective such as this, was borne out of the necessity to ensure the sustainability of the cultural policy of Governor Fayemi and also to ensure that the dividends of the policy are rooted with the main stakeholders who are the transmitters of the policy.

“It will amount to efforts in futility and mere grandstanding if all the strides of Governor Fayemi at rejuvenating and resuscitating the arts and culture sector of Ekiti state are not warehoused and rooted in the bowels of those who are the professional and change agents of the policy.

“Thus it behoves on the council to inaugurate this Network today to serve as a platform of positive and proactive engagement between the public and private sectors of Arts and Culture.”

He called on the Interim President, Mr. Caleb Osasona, who was appointed on the premise of his pedigree as a culture expert. In 2012, Osasona was responsible for the content development and marketing of the EKIFEST was urged to see his appointment as a call to service and deployment of his vast experience, exposure, knowledge and network for the building of a strong collective that will reinforce and ensure the sustainability of the cultural reforms and heritage branding of Ekiti State.

According to Ambassador Ojo-Lanre, “This inauguration is a milestone for us at the council as well as a sensitisation of the existence of a platform for professional drivers of arts and culture in Ekiti State. You are appointed as an interim President based on your pedigree as an acclaimed international Painter, Culture Promoter, Writer and Entrepreneur who is respected in Europe and also maintains a conspicuous presence as a Arts gallery owner and Curator in Sweden, Germany, Canada Abuja and Lagos.

"You are rightly positioned as an illustrious son of Ekiti State to network Ekiti professionals both at home and in Diaspora and galvanised them for the upswing development of this sector in Ekiti State,” Ojo-Lanre said.

In his response, Osasona commended Governor Kayode Fayemi for his spectacular drive in the arts and culture sector, describing him as an actualiser sent by God to salvage the state cultural heritage from extinction.

According to him, “Cultural diplomacy is the next frontier for communities and nations to sell their brand assets now as and we are all aware that the subsector is a big money spinner for countries all over the world, therefore, we cannot afford to remain in the dark.”

He promised to deliver on the objective and drive the vision of NECA beyond imagination and ensure that the impact of the association would be felt for the upliftment of Ekiti State’s rich cultural repository and diversity while practitioners and stakeholders locally and in Diaspora will experience a flourishing environment to practise their craftsmanship in the state.

Osasona was accompanied by members of the association which included Prince Abejide, Femi Adagunodo, Adebanji Asa, Lawanson Ismail, Abiodun Alade, Mrs Lola Aribile, Pastor Sola Jegede, Dr Mayowa Babalola and others.

Meanwhile, the first set of Officers of NECA is expected to be sworn-in soon for robust harmonisation of its oversight functions, mandate and ultimate goal.

Update news