EKITI ARTISTS UNITE AS EKPRA TAKES OFF WITH GRAND INAUGURATION
By Olugbolade Ogboro-Cole
The Ekiti State creative industry witnessed a historic moment on Sunday as the Ekiti Parapo Professional Artists Association was officially launched and inaugurated in grand style at an event that brought together representatives from all local governments across the state.
In an exclusive interview with JIROLTV, the newly inaugurated Chairman of the Association ,Comrade Eniola Eyinafe, revealed that the initiative aims to stop the migration of Ekiti creative talents to Lagos, Abeokuta, and Ibadan, as they now want to establish themselves firmly within the state. The Chairman, who previously served as Governor of the State Chapter of TAMPAN and as National Representative, called on all artists to unite under the EKPRA umbrella, stressing that the forum welcomes all who follow due process by obtaining forms and coming for training.
He extended a special invitation to retirees and older practitioners, emphasizing that one might retire but not be tired, and this was an opportunity to return to the limelight, urging the old, the middle class, and the young to join the forum.
The Chairman also revealed that EKPRA will soon organize comprehensive training programs across various departments including costumier, drone operation, cinematography, camera handling, prop design, and makeup artistry. He advised the younger generation that they do not have to be great to start small, but they have to start small to be great, using the analogy that a little drop of rain makes an mighty ocean. He announced that interested individuals can access the forum by logging online or contacting provided numbers to receive a link to join, after which they can obtain and fill forms for online submission.
Also speaking exclusively with JIROLTV, the CEO of Lovely Homes and Properties and Ojaja Smart City, popularly known as MC Lovely, highlighted the significance of the association’s timing with the new Ojaja Cinema now nearing operational stage in Ado-Ekiti. She described the initiative as a welcome development and a case of putting the round peg in the round hole, noting that the artists have come together to produce epic and family movies while the cinema provides the perfect market infrastructure.
MC Lovely observed that times have changed from stage plays, with the industry moving into YouTube and cinemas, and with a cinema now available in Ekiti, all the artists need to do is produce good movies for the public to watch. She also spoke about the broader developmental initiatives in the state, revealing that the Ojaja Smart City project spans one thousand plots of land over one hundred hectares and will feature a resort, shops, and housing estates, while the Ojaja Mini Park along Iworoko road will include a one hundred and fifty-seater cinema, supermarket, lounge, salon, gym, spa, and kiddie spa.
On the sustainability of the association, MC Lovely offered wise counsel on the importance of love and unity among members, advising that when issues arise, the only way to conquer is with love. She encouraged open communication where concerns are expressed directly and apologies are readily accepted, describing that approach as maturity.
The celebration featured light entertainment from a cultural troupe and a playlet conveying messages about love and unity, while guests were treated to sumptuous meals and drinks.
The Ekiti Parapo Professional Artists Association inauguration signals a new dawn for creative professionals in the state, promising to harness local talents and position Ekiti as a major player in Nigeria’s entertainment industry.
