…as convener, Prince Ajayi promises to publicize Ekiti
The Convener of World Iyan Carnival, Ade Ajayi has revealed that top ten winners in the forthcoming maiden Pounded Yam contest will stand the chance of featuring in a nollywood movie at Ibrahim Chatta Film Village coming up in March, 2025.
Addressing journalists on Monday in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State Capital, Ajayi explained that the maiden carnival, which will span through December 25 to 27, 2024, will have over 1.2m indigenes and Nigerians in diaspora contest for Pounded Yam Competition via electronic means, before winners are selected.
He noted that young females of the state will also contest for the ‘Omoge Iyan Pageantry’, who will be an ambassador of the carnival in the next one year.
The Convener said the carnival, holding at Midas Arena, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti state capital, will be a yearly event that will feature all Ekiti residents regardless of their profession.
According to him, a cooperative society will also emerge after the carnival to help people especially farmers, with capital to grow their agricultural businesses.
His words, “The World Iyan Carnival will be a yearly event. It will engage all Ekiti residents regardless of their profession.
“It will also involve people from the diaspora such as Texas, UK, among others.
“We are expecting nothing less than 1.2 contestants in the Iyan contest and top ten winners will be the nollywood part of the carnival, who will be at Ibrahim Chatta Film Village, Oyo for a movie production.
“We are linking it with the Chrismas so that many people can participate in the event such as Iyalojas, Iyalajes, and other associations.
“We are calling on all sons and daughters of Ekiti to participate in this maiden edition, to celebrate with us the World Iyan Carnival”.
On her part, an advocate of the Carnival who is also a farmer, Chidinma Eze said the carnival will also empower the participants to embrace farming in order to enhance food security and eradicate hunger.
