Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi has assured the people of the State that the Governor-elect Biodun Oyebanji would sustain the good work of his administration in using art and culture to develop young talents in the state.
The Governor made the statement at the Obafemi Awolowo Civic Centre in Ado Ekiti at the end of a three- week young contemporaries’ art residency programme in the State.
The Governor, while addressing young talented artists during the programme maintained that the state government was passionate about strengthening its partnership with visionary organizations that exhibit readiness in investing in talents development in the State.
He commended the organizers of the programme and assured them that his exit from office in the next two months would not mean an end to the state government’s partnership with visionary organizations that have keyed into making Ekiti a destination of choice for people looking for where to live, work, play and feel good about themselves.
“When I look at some of the works that you produced in the course of this residency, there are several messages that jump at you , migration, crisis of identity, duality, change and continuity, those were the things that clearly jumped at me as I walked round looking at the works that you produced.
“It is in that context of change and continuity that I will like to end my remarks because rele do mentioned that this will be the last exhibition that will happen on my watch as governor in the state of which is true.
“Change will not mean stopping, it will mean continuity, we will continue to work with rele foundation and many of our artists who for one reasons or the other ventured into coming back to Ekiti for their work, they are most welcome to Ekiti.
Earlier, the organizer of the programme, Adenrele Sonariwo commended Governor Fayemi for providing support for the success of the programme since it started in the last four years in Ekiti.
Sonariwo, said his foundation was passionate about spreading the role of art in social change and in refining and providing mentorship for young artist in Nigeria and Africa.
The programme featured a panelist discussion involving the Ekiti State commissioner of Finance and Economic Development, Mr Akin Oyebode, an Art Patron of over 30 years, Dr Gbenga Oyebode, Art and Curator of the Department of Painting and Sculpture at the Museum of Modern Arts, New York, Dr Ugochukwu-Smooth Nzewi and an international artist, Chidinma Nnoli.
The highlights of the event include a solo art performance and exhibition of art works produced in the course of the residency programme.