A group of concerned Ekiti indigenes, in collaboration with community stakeholders, has announced plans to organize the Ekiti Unity Carnival, a yearly cultural festival aimed at promoting unity, identity, and cultural revival among Ekitis at home and abroad.
Speaking with Peak Newspaper in Ado-Ekiti, Mr. Ayodeji Arojo, one of the lead conveners and spokesperson for the organizing committee, described the proposed event as a collective vision to reconnect Ekitis worldwide through culture, heritage, and shared pride.
According to Arojo, the initiative represents more than just a cultural celebration, it is a symbol of unity and renaissance for Ekiti people across generations and borders.
“The spirit of Ekiti lives in all of us,” he said. “Our people are scattered across Nigeria and around the world, doctors, teachers, entrepreneurs, scholars, and artisans, all bound by the same values of integrity and excellence. This festival is about rekindling that spirit and celebrating who we are as a people.”
The Ekiti Unity Carnival, also known as the Annual Ekiti Festival, is envisioned as a homecoming event featuring traditional performances, arts exhibitions, local cuisine fairs, music concerts, cultural parades, and intellectual symposiums, all aimed at showcasing the creativity and diversity of Ekiti culture.
Arojo noted that the project will go beyond festivities, as it is designed to boost tourism, stimulate local businesses, empower youths, and promote cultural education across communities in the state.
“This festival will create opportunities for artisans, fashion designers, performers, food vendors, and entrepreneurs,” he said. “It will help reposition Ekiti as a hub for cultural excellence and economic growth while giving our children a reason to take pride in their roots.”
He further urged traditional rulers, political leaders, professionals, and Ekiti indigenes in the diaspora to support the initiative, emphasizing that it is not a personal venture but a collective dream.
“This is not about me or any individual,” Arojo explained. “It is about the entire Ekiti family coming together to celebrate our identity, rebuild our unity, and pass on a legacy of pride and togetherness to future generations. Our forefathers built with cooperation; we must do the same.”
He also highlighted the need for a renewed cultural consciousness among the youth, adding that the festival would promote indigenous values and the Yoruba language while countering the erosion of local traditions.
“Culture is not just about music and dance, it is about memory, history, and identity,” Arojo noted. “Through this carnival, we want to remind the world that Ekiti remains a land of honour, intellect, and integrity.”
Concluding, Arojo expressed optimism that the Ekiti Unity Carnival will soon become a landmark event in Nigeria’s cultural calendar.
“We are building a legacy of unity,” he said. “Orílè Ekiti á gbè á ooo! May our land of honour continue to shine forever.”
Preparations for the inaugural edition are already underway, with consultations ongoing among traditional leaders, government representatives, and Ekiti communities both locally and internationally.
