Oyin-oluwa Abiona
Ekiti State Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Professor Rasaki Ojo Bakare has emerged the Chairman, Forum of Commissioners for Culture, Tourism, Arts, Heritage and Creative Economy in Nigeria.
The election which held at the Abuja meeting of the Forum also brought about the emergence of Ebonyi State Commissioner Prince Stan Ifeanyi Ogbuewu as Vice Chairman and the Taraba State Commissioner, Hon Nagombe Joseph as General Secretary.
Others also elected include the Kwara State Commissioner, Hon. Bolanle Olukoju as Treasurer.
Cross Rivers State Commissioner Hon. Robert Abubakar Ewa emerged the Public Relations Officer while
Hon. Hajiya Rabi Salisu, the Kaduna State Commissioner was elected as the Financial Secretary.
Professor Rasaki Ojo Bakare is expected to lead his colleagues from all the states of Nigeria for a renewable term of two years.
The choice of Bakare as the Chairman of the forum has generated positive comments from the national arts and culture public.
With 43 years of experience within the sector as a practicing creative artiste, a researcher, lecturer, performing arts and tourism scholar, Bakare’s unanimous election is generally considered a smart one.
Prof Bakare had served in various capacities within the sector: He was an assistant director, National Troupe of Nigeria, a former Choreographer, National Troupe of Gambia, a former Artistic Director/CEO Abuja National Carnival and one of the most internationally sought after Consultants in the creative sector.
In his home state, Ekiti, the 1997 Ekiti merit award winner( Culture sector) and 2013 recipient of Ekiti Cultural Ambassador, has tremendously uplifted the sector since he became the Commissioner in December 2019.
Based on his antecidence, it is expected that the first Africa’s Professor of Choreography and Performance aesthetics will lead his colleagues to influence policies and actions that will impact on the sector across the country.
Culture Matters 