From John Adeleye
The State Government said the approval is aimed at encouraging residents particularly, Political Office holders and Top Civil Servants to promote Ekiti cultural heritage by wearing Adire fabrics as a way of projecting the cloth and the State’s culture.
According to a statement from the Commissioner for Information and Value Orientation, Mr Taiwo Olatunbosun, the development is also expected to showcase the unique artistry of Adire in Ekiti State, create jobs and provide employment opportunities thus empowering residents interested in the tie and dye craft and increasing revenue generation to the State with the aim of boosting the State economy.
Additionally, the move is targeted at the promotion of Ekiti cultural heritage and preservation of traditional craftsmanship, while enhancing tourism potential by providing opportunities for visitors to experience the authentic Batik as well as tie-dye production process.
It is expected to also help preserve traditional techniques while encouraging modern adaptations and designs with the goal of transforming local Adire craft-workers to globally exceptional tradesmen with opportunities to showcase their skills and creativity, contribute to sustainable development as well as foster entrepreneurship and innovation among young people, particularly women, in the State.
The State House of Assembly had on Wednesday, 25th September, 2024, resolved at its second session, that the State Government should set aside the third Wednesday of every month noting that the cultural heritage of any group is readily reflected and evaluated through its cultural symbols, including traditional attire.
Similarly, the government says it approved N2,002,062,725.83 for the construction of a Standard (Synthetic Turf) Football Pitch and renovation of the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium Ado Ekiti.
It says the approval was part of strategic moves of the Oyebanji administration in using sports development to discover and nurture talents to national and global reckoning as well as for wealth creation.
The target is to elevate the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium to a global standard to boost Sports Development in recognition of sport as a veritable weapon to stamp out poverty, joblessness and crime from the society.
Facilities to be renovated include:
i. The administrative block to provide a more conducive working environment for staff.
ii. Athletics tracks
iii. Seating terrace and spectators stand canopy
iv. VIP stand
v. Installation of pitch accessories
vi. Renovation of existing offices
vii. Perimeter fencing of the stadium and
viii. Standard (Synthetic Turf) Football Pitch
The contract, approved to be awarded to the same company that is handling the pitch renovation through Direct Procurement method, United Logistics Construzione Soluzione
Limited is expected to be completed within three months.
I will like to use this opportunity to correct a misconception making its round that the State Government is expending N7Billion to renovate the Oluyemi Kayode stadium. As stated above the total amount approved for the renovation of the stadium including construction of administrative building, synthetic football pitch, tartan tracks etc is N2,002,062,725.83.
However, the Oyebanji administration in a demonstration of its commitment to turning sports into a sustainable career is also currently constructing a versatile, 900-seats capacity enclosed facility designed to accommodate various indoor sports activities in Ado Ekiti that offers protection from weather and a controlled environment for both recreational and professional sports.
The indoor sports hall consists of facilities for Team Sports, including basketball, baseball, volleyball, handball; as well as Individual Sports like badminton, Table Tennis, gymnastics, chess, traditional sports, scrabble, weightlifting and Para weightlifting.
The Facility also contains accommodation for Combat Sports such as boxing, judo, kickboxing, karate, kung fu.
The proactive move of Governor Oyebanji administration is also part of efforts at fostering youth development through enabling environment to not only improve talents and provide opportunities to participate but to also host sound competitions.