Ajayi Taiwo

Government of Ekiti State, Nigeria

Ekiti State is in Southwest region of Nigeria, and is one of the 36 states (inc. Federal Capital Territory (Nigeria)) that constitute Nigeria. The Ekitis, whose ancestors migrate from Ile-Ife as a people, form one of the largest ehnic groups in Yorubaland. Ekitis are culturally homogeneous and they speak a dialect of Yoruba language known as Ekiti. The homogeneous nature of Ekiti confers on the state some uniqueness among the states of the federation. Slight differences are noticeable in the Ekiti dialect of the Yoruba language spoken by the people. Ekiti as a people settle in nucleus urban patterns, well linked with network of roads. The State can boast of more than 127 large and small, ancient and modern towns, located on hills and valleys that characterise the state from which the confinement takes its name, Ekiti, that is, ‘Okiti' meaning hill. Ekiti State, apart from the fact that it is the only state with a warm spring in Nigeria is the watershed and source of some prominent rivers such as Ero, Ose, Ogbese and others. The people of Ekiti are hard-working, upright, studious (such that they are popularly regarded as the fountain of knowledge) and very articulate. Ekiti men are predominantly farmers but women engage in trading.