Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji has reiterated his administration’s commitment to preserving and properly documenting the history of Ekiti State.
Governor Oyebanji gave the assurance on Monday during a visit to movie production sets of the Ekiti Parapo War film being shot at different locations in Ado Ekiti by actors and producers, Lateef Adedimeji and Mo Bimpe Adedimeji.
The Ekiti Parapo War, also known as the Kiriji War, was a 16 year civil war fought between 1877 and 1893 among sub ethnic kingdoms of the Yoruba people.
It involved Western Yoruba groups, mainly Ibadan and Oyo speaking areas and Eastern Yoruba groups including Ekiti, Ijesa, Ijebu, Yagba and others.
Speaking with journalists after touring the locations, Oyebanji said his government was focused on ensuring that Ekiti’s cultural heritage and historical narratives are accurately documented and passed on to future generations.
He said history plays an important role in identity, education and development.
The governor said the Ekiti State Government did not sponsor the film project.
He explained that he facilitated and supported the production through interested friends and associates who are committed to promoting Ekiti history and culture.
Oyebanji commended Lateef Adedimeji and other stakeholders for their efforts on the project and said the state would continue to support initiatives that project Ekiti history and culture positively.
He said, “Art, culture and tourism is one of the pillars of our administration and there is a saying that a people without history is a lost people and part of our history is what is being shot here into a film now and I just came to look at the locations and this has been a big surprise. I don’t know that this kind of massive project is going on here in Ekiti state and I must thank the Adedimejis for a job well-done.
“With what I am seeing here, I am sure that by the time the film is finally released, all Ekiti indigines will be proud of what we are doing, we just want to ensure that while we are here, we write our history by our ourselves”.
In his remarks, Lateef Adedimeji said the decision to shoot the movie in Ekiti was to ensure originality in telling the story of the war.
He said about 500 actors were cast for the film, including many selected from Ekiti.
He described Ekiti as peaceful and suitable for movie production and said viewers who are familiar with the historical accounts would see the film as a reflection of events during the war.
Other officials who accompanied the governor included the Chief of Staff, Niyi Adebayo; Commissioner for Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun; Director General, Bureau of Tourism Development, Wale Ojo Lanre and Director General, Community Communication, Mary Omotoso.
