…organizers declare 27th December as World Iyan Day
By Precious Oham
The eagerly-anticipated maiden World Iyan Carnival came to limelight in Ekiti State as the rich culture of the State was displayed colourfully with thrilling performances.
The carnival themed: ‘Agrotourism A New Frontier For Sustainable Tourism And Economic Development’ featured cultural displays of Ekiti and Idoma people, yam presentation, Oriki Iyan, panel discussions with performances by dancers in beautiful attires and the famous Omoge Iyan pageant.
Speaking at the carnival, Founder of World Iyan Carnival, Prince Ade Ajayi said the carnival is aimed at showcasing Ekiti rich culture and changing the economic perception of the State.
According to him, the carnival is anchored on four transformative initiatives including; 50 million yam tubers cultivation initiative, documenting the origin of Iyan in partnership with Netflix, Aafin Iyan Resort and the annual Iyan Carnival.
He equally noted that the carnival will boost the economy of the State and the country in general adding that 27th December has been mapped out as World Iyan Day.
His words: “We are excited to see this initiative and it’s Pillars come to life today. The 50 million Tubers cultivation; the Origin of Iyan Epic Documentary; the Aafin Iyan Resort and the Carnival proper.
“We also announce the launch of a groundbreaking initiative in agricultural financing, Office to Farm Agric Credit—the first of its kind in Nigeria’s history.
“This initiative is the result of a 7-year research journey focused on developing innovative financing models in agriculture under the platform of the World Iyan Carnival (WIC).
“It aligns with one of our core pillars—cultivating 50 million tubers of yam—while expanding the opportunities for civil servants, private sector workers, NGOs, and organizations to invest in and benefit from agricultural wealth creation.
“Through strategic partnerships with financial institutions and Africa’s leading blockchain technology company, we have developed a platform that bridges the gap between the office and the farm.
“It allows salary earners and institutions to actively participate in financing and trading not just tubers but other crops as well, fostering a new era of agricultural wealth in Nigeria.
“This initiative is a key contribution to the Renewed Hope Campaign, which aims to revitalize Nigeria’s agricultural sector and unlock its potential for sustainable economic growth.
“Beginning in the first quarter of 2025, we will launch this initiative across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria, starting from the western region.
We are inviting financial institutions, public and private sector players, and all stakeholders to join us in making this vision a reality.
“Members of the World Iyan Cooperative will be the first to enjoy these benefits, and we encourage others to register and become part of this transformative journey.”
The maiden world Iyan carnival was well attended by Government functionaries including Director General Of Ekiti Bureau of Tourism, Ambassador Wale Ojo-Lanre.
