BY LAW IBITOYE
The convener of Iyan Carnival, Ade AJAYI has said the maiden edition of world Iyan Carnival would be held in Ado Ekiti where over 1.2 million Nigerans will converge at Midas Arena on 27 December, 2024 would afford ten top winners of the contest to feature in Nollywood movie in Ibrahim Chatta film Village in March, 2025.
Ade AJAYI, an historian, political economy Development lecturer,
added that young females would contest for ‘omoge Iyan pageantry’ saying the winner will be the ambassador of the Iyan carnival .
Addressing journalists in Ado Ekiti on Monday, the convener explained that the carnival will start on 25th December, for contestants to participate via electronic recording of the process of pounded Iyan all over the world, saying the winner would be unveiled on 27th December.
He said the carnival would be a yearly event that would attract participants from Nigeria and in the diaspora, while reiterating that the first pounded yam in the world took place in Ekiti state through Obatala.
Adding that the Iyan Carnival would be documented through Nollywood and other channels for upcoming generations to be acquitted with the origin of pounded yam. Saying the carnival would boost the economy, the culture and tourism of Ekiti state.
According to the convener, Iyan Carnival is a research work on which stakeholders would come in right from Nollywood, Hollywood in America. 27th December is the grand finale, we started the implementation of the project in July, 2024 in Ekiti where several shooting/ videos have been done in ikogosi, olosunta ikere, oranle babaoke
Adding that the second phase of the shooting will be done at Ibrahim Chatta film village while the third phase would be done at ile- Ife, the cradle of Yoruba. He called on all sons and daughters of Ekiti state to participate in the carnival slated for Christmas period.
The convener assured farmers that cooperative society would be formed after the carnival to help their farming business.