By Idowu Adebomi, Ado-Ekiti
Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to preserving and properly documenting the history of Ekiti, describing it as essential to protecting the state’s cultural heritage and strengthening identity, education and development.
The governor gave the assurance on Monday during an on-the-spot assessment of the movie production sets of the Ekiti Parapo War film, also known as the Kiriji War, currently being shot at various locations across Ado-Ekiti.
The historical film is being produced by popular Nollywood actors and filmmakers, Lateef Adedimeji and Mo Bimpe Adedimeji.
The Ekiti Parapo War was a 16-year civil war fought between 1877 and 1893 among Yoruba sub-ethnic groups. The conflict involved Western Yoruba forces, mainly Ibadan and Oyo groups, against Eastern Yoruba communities such as Ekiti, Ijesa, Ijebu, Yagba and others.
Speaking with journalists after touring the film locations, Governor Oyebanji said his government was determined to ensure that Ekiti’s history is accurately recorded and passed on to future generations.
Although the Ekiti State Government did not directly fund the project, the governor disclosed that he facilitated and co-sponsored the production through the support of friends and associates who share a passion for promoting Ekiti’s history and culture.
Oyebanji commended the producers and other stakeholders for their professionalism, creativity and commitment to historical accuracy, assuring them of continued government support for initiatives that positively project Ekiti’s culture and values.
“Art, culture and tourism are key pillars of our administration. There is a saying that a people without history are a lost people, and what is being filmed here is part of our history,” the governor said.
“I came to see the locations and I must say this is a pleasant surprise. I did not realise such a massive project was ongoing in Ekiti. I thank the Adedimejis for a job well done. When this film is released, Ekiti people will be proud. We want to tell our own story by ourselves,” he added.
In his remarks, the film’s producer, Mr Lateef Adedimeji, said the decision to shoot in Ekiti was deliberate, in order to maintain originality and historical accuracy in portraying the 18th-century conflict.
He revealed that about 500 actors are involved in the production, many of whom are indigenes of Ekiti State.
Adedimeji described Ekiti’s terrain as peaceful and visually appealing, making it suitable for large-scale movie production, and expressed confidence that the film would faithfully depict the historical events of the Kiriji War.
Members of the governor’s entourage included the Chief of Staff, Mr Niyi Adebayo; Commissioner for Information, Rt Hon Taiwo Olatunbosun; Director-General, Bureau of Tourism Development, Ambassador Wale Ojo-Lanre; and Director-General, Community Communications, Mrs Mary Oso Omotoso.
