The Ekiti State Government has renewed its commitment to safeguarding the state’s cultural heritage while expanding efforts to equip young people with the tools for self-reliance, officials said at a public forum this week.
The Director General of the Ekiti State Bureau of Civic Orientation and Citizenship, , Mrs. Olawumi Famuyiwa, gave the assurance in Ado- Ekiti during the Ekiti Future Agenda Awards and Roundtable 2026.
She said the administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji remains focused on strengthening traditional values while preparing youths to contribute meaningfully to the state’s development.
Mrs. Famuyiwa called for broader collaboration among government agencies, community leaders and civic groups to promote awareness of the state’s cultural norms. She emphasized respect for elders, modest conduct and hard work as cornerstones of Ekiti’s social fabric, urging young people to reject what she described as a growing “get-rich-quick” mentality and dependence on others.
“The cultural values and norms that Ekiti State embodies are crucial to our identity as a people,” she said. “It is essential that we educate our youth on the importance of these values and discourage negative practices.”
She also lauded Governor Oyebanji’s leadership style, describing it as reflective of the Omoluabi ethos — a Yoruba concept that prizes integrity, responsibility and respect. His approach to governance, she said, offers a model for younger generations.
In his opening remarks,the convener of the forum, , Mr. Adesina Adetola, underscored the organization’s longstanding commitment to promoting integrity, honesty, respect for elders and excellence as pillars of democratic governance.
Political leadership, Mr. Adetola said, plays a decisive role in shaping societal outcomes through policy decisions, resource management and public service delivery. Drawing from the event’s theme, he urged participants to look to enduring cultural principles as guides for accountability and transparency.
Highpoint of the gathering was the annual awards ceremony, which recognized emerging leaders and inducted distinguished individuals into the EFA Hall of Fame. Corporate organizations were also honored for contributions to the state’s socio-economic development.
The event, which marked 16 years of advocacy centered on Ekiti’s identity and values, carried the theme, “Ekiti Kete: Sustaining Our Values, Re-igniting the Spirit of Our Forebears.”
Organizers described the event as a reflection of a broader movement among Ekiti citizens to preserve their heritage while fostering a generation prepared to build a more prosperous future.
