From News Editor
A ranking member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Bamisile, has hailed Governor Biodun Oyebanji for spearheading the production of Ekitiparapo War Film, saying this will further enhance the harnessing of Ekiti’s potentials in arts, culture and entertainment.
Besides serving as a launching pad for the state’s creative industry, Bamisile, a former Ekiti Assembly’s Speaker, added that the action will help in recalling the memories of the good old times among Ekiti indigenes to fortify the exiting bond of unity and love.
The Ekiti State Government had expressed readiness to partner an entertain and film production maestro, Lateef Adedimeji, for the production of the Ekitiparapo War regarded as Kiriji liberation War from Ibadan warlords fought between 1877 and 1886.
In his reaction through a statement from his Media Office in Abuja, on Thursday, the lawmaker representing Ekiti South Federal Constituency II, described the production of the over 125 years old War into an enduring film as long overdue.
The federal lawmaker opined that the initiative was in consonance with the global best practices, as the production of the first and second world wars into still regaled the world with nostalgic feelings about diplomatic issues.
Bamisile commended Oyebanji for taking such a landmark leap targeted at recalling the good old times, when Ekiti fought as indivisible and united front for the liberation of its people.
The representative of Ekiti East/Gbonyin/Emure federal constituency, stated further that such a giant leap further accentuated how incurably committed Governor Oyebanji is to expand the economic scope of the state to other viable sector like entertainment industry.
He regretted that Ekiti has vast, but untapped economic potentials in arts, culture and tourism, which he believed the production of the film will help explore for the benefit of the state.
“I agree with the thinking of Mr Governor that the Kiriji War remained the most enduring mementoes that showcased to the world how united and bonded Ekiti people are culturally and artistically. Nothing wrong in showcasing this to the world.
“From time immemorial, Ekiti had been nursing the dream of diversifying its economy away from the monolithic civil service structure. We have vast but untapped potentials in arts, culture and tourism we need to advertise to the world and this Kiriji War Film production will play a critical role in this aspect.
“Again, the production of the film will also help in showcasing our rolling hills along Efon-Okemesi axis, the Ikogosi warm springs and our tourism corridor in Ekiti West zone to the global community for them to know that we are endowed with natural resources.
“The tourism and hospitality businesses will also feel a dose of positive side of this venture, because the artistes from all over the Yoruba race and across the world will domicile in Ekiti for the production period and this will automatically boost our local economy.
“And majorly, the fact that Ekiti is the most homogenous ethnic group in the country and that our natural instincts as irrepressible and fearless people will be demonstrated and documented in this film”.
