By Samuel Sunday
The Ekiti State Government has announced plans to embark on a statewide voter education campaign through drama and cultural performances ahead of future elections, while also unveiling additional funding for the Ekiti State Arts Endowment Fund to support practitioners in the creative sector.
The Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Professor Rasaki Ojo Bakare, disclosed this on Monday during a press conference held at the Ministry of Arts and Culture, Ekiti State where he explained that the initiative would combine civic education with economic empowerment for artists across the state.
Bakare said the government, under the leadership of Biodun Oyebanji, had approved another tranche of funding for the Ekiti State Arts Endowment Fund as part of efforts to strengthen the creative economy and create employment opportunities. According to him, the fund is designed to support artists, cultural practitioners, and creative entrepreneurs who need financial assistance to establish or expand their businesses.
He explained that the fund, originally conceived during the administration of Ibrahim Babangida, had remained largely unimplemented until the current Ekiti administration revived it in 2024. Bakare noted that Ekiti State remains the first in Nigeria to practically implement the initiative, describing it as a major step toward strengthening the state’s cultural and creative industries.
The commissioner clarified that the support is not a grant but a loan facility with a minimal interest rate of seven percent. Beneficiaries will enjoy a six-month moratorium before repayment begins, while the loan will be repaid gradually over a two-year period to ensure that the fund remains a revolving scheme for other applicants.
Bakare also revealed that the funds will be administered in collaboration with financial institutions to guarantee transparency and accountability. Interested applicants, he said, would be required to submit proposals, budgets, and business plans through designated registration points provided by the ministry.
Beyond economic support, the ministry announced plans to embark on a sensitization tour aimed at educating residents about the importance of participating in elections. Bakare said many citizens still lack proper understanding of voting procedures, which often leads to void votes or low voter turnout during elections.
He explained that the ministry would deploy drama, music, and other cultural performances to demonstrate correct voting procedures and encourage peaceful civic participation. The campaign, he added, will also address environmental issues such as flood prevention by educating residents on the dangers of blocking drainage channels and improper waste disposal.
The sensitization tour is scheduled to begin on March 28 in the Ekiti Central Senatorial District and will later extend to other parts of the state. Bakare emphasized that the programme is based on the concept of “Theatre for Development,” a professional approach that uses creative arts to promote public awareness and social change.
The commissioner called on the media to help disseminate information about the initiatives so that stakeholders in the arts sector and the general public can fully benefit from them.
Present at the Press Conference are the Permanent Secretary, Prince Adebanji Adelusi, Specia Assistant to the Governor on Culture, Honorable Adewale Igbeda and all other Directors of the Ministry.
