Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has reiterated the state government’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote Ekiti’s cultural heritage, tourism and economic development.

🇳🇬 Here's What Happened

The governor spoke on Wednesday at the palace of the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, during the 2026 Udiroko Festival, themed, ‘Udiroko as the Signpost of Our History, Tradition and Cultural Values’.

The governor stressed that cultural festivals could serve as important drivers of local enterprise and employment when properly packaged and promoted.

He called for the expansion and rebranding of the annual Udiroko Festival in Ado Ekiti, which signifies the community’s new year, to make it a major cultural and economic platform capable of creating jobs, attracting investment and generating wealth for the people of the state.

📌 Key Details

Oyebanji said, “Udiroko Festival has grown beyond an annual cultural gathering and should now be deliberately developed into a major tourism and economic event while preserving its historical significance, cultural values and traditions.

“This festival is no longer just an annual festival for Ado Ekiti, but Ekiti festival; it has become an iconic festival. We need to sit down with the committee and find a way of expanding it.

“We should also use this festival as an avenue to create wealth and employment. I am confident that by the time I leave the office in 2030, we would have been able to rebrand this festival and make it much bigger and more impactful.

“The state government is committed to supporting initiatives that promote Ekiti’s cultural heritage, tourism and economic development. Cultural festivals could serve as important drivers of local enterprise and employment when properly packaged and promoted.”

The governor hailed Oba Adejugbe for his support for the administration and for demonstrating commitment not only to Ado Ekiti but also to the entire state.

Oyebanji, while expressing appreciation to the people of Ado Ekiti and the state generally, urged them to continue to support President Bola Tinubu, particularly as the 2027 presidential election approached, saying the state had benefited from the President’s interventions and support.

📰 Source: Punch Nigeria