By Ayodele Abere
As the 5-Day activities of this year’s Festival of Arts and Culture (EKIFEST) which commenced on Tuesday 6th August, 2024 in Ekiti State with the theme: Arts and Culture: A Tool for Shared Prosperity will be coming to an end tomorrow, Saturday, 10th August, 2024, the Chairman, Association of Tourism Practitioners in Nigeria (ATPN) Ekiti State Chapter, Dr. Mrs Abigail Olagbaye has appealed to participants and guests to make the memory of the event a lasting one by adhering to sustainable practices, to respect the culture and local customs.
The Chairman stated this at the ATPN stand while speaking with journalists at the venue of the event in Ado-Ekiti, the State capital where there have been exhibitions of Arts and Culture.
Making the appeal, Olagbaye urged tourists to uphold respect for sacred spaces by dressing modestly and putting off their shoes when and where required.
In her words, “Learn about our culture. Take time to understand our local traditions, history and significance of the festival. Support local artisans. Buy authentic locally-made crafts and art to support our communities”. Dr. Olagbaye advised.
As part of her admonitions, the ATPN Chairman urged the participants and visitors to imbibe the culture of maintaining clean and hygienic environment especially in waste disposal. She equally stressed the need to consider voluntary donation to local organisations supporting cultural and environmental preservation.
Dr. Olagbaye noted that this will be contributing to a more sustainable festival experience by keeping to the advice.
Among the dignitaries that have visited the ATPN stand at the event include: Ekiti State First Lady, Prof. Mrs. Olayemi Oyebanji, the Technical Adviser to the Governor on Green Economy and Ecological Matters, Dr. Akinyemi Akinyugha, the Director General of the Ekiti Development & Investment Agency EKDIPA, Mrs. Lolade Oke-Olutola, and the Director General, Ekiti state Bureau of Tourism Development. – Amb. Wale Ojo Lanre as well as visitors at the festival arena.
