Organizers of professional events in Kwara State have urged the state government to involve them in its social and government activities, instead of patronizing people from outside the state.
Speaking to the Tribune in Ilorin, Principal Consultant of Daraibo Events Planning Services Limited, Oluwaseun Adewoye, urged governments at all levels to engage local event planners for their events as a way of empowering their crafts, rather than importing planners.
“We have the event organizing center as an association in Kwara State. With this, the government can help us by providing us with opportunities, providing us with jobs and empowering us.
“One of the ways to empower us is to give us access to funds, access to jobs and events within the city and within government circles.”
Adewoye advised people to hold events outside their residential homes for safety reasons, saying the advice became imperative due to the increasing number of criminal activities.
Adewoye noted that the financial consideration of hosting events at home becomes counterproductive in most cases compared to the potential losses.
“For safety reasons, I have always advised people to hold events outside their homes. I highly recommend clients use an event center. Many things have happened. We have had several experiences. A few days after holding an event at your home, you receive unwanted visitors. People don't really need to know your house.
“Some of our older relatives would say, 'Why take the event outside to any event center?' But with what is happening today, in this day and age, it is still better to remove it from our homes for safety reasons, among other important reasons.”
The consultant said professionally trained event planners in Kwara State and the country at large ensure that people, especially party organisers, get value for money and that events are well coordinated.
He said the concept of event planning is becoming more acceptable in society than ever, as people now see reasons to engage the services of professionals in the field.
Referring to some challenges in the vocation, Adewoye lamented that acceptability has not reached the expected level.
“As much as I have talked about being accepted, one of the challenges remains being accepted. Some people still don't see the point in involving event organizers. So, we do a lot to convince. Each family has an uncle, an aunt, who knows how to coordinate. But where professionalism comes in is getting value for the money you have spent.
“Another challenge is financing. This has to do with the current state of the country's economy,” he added.