Organisational structure and administrative strategies of managing the Ilorin emirate grand durbar festival.

Abstract

The complexity of culture and its significance to the existence of man signaled the launching of the Nigerian cultural policy in 1988. With the introduction of cultural policy and the establishment of various cultural administrative bodies, there has been low supports from the government in funding cultural festivals. Consequently, funding and organisation of some cultural festivals are left to the communities. The roles played by traditional institutions in the preservation, promotion and funding of cultural festivals cannot be waved aside. For this reason, this paper examines the organisational structure and administrative strategies of the Ilorin emirate grand durbar festival. The paper adopts qualitative research method through interview instruments, and descriptive method. The paper is premised on Edward Freeman’s Stakeholder Theory in “Strategic Management: A stakeholder approach” (1983). The paper revealed that partisan politics, insufficient funding, overcrowded arena, and bringing on board corporate organisations, are challenges facing the administration and management of Ilorin durbar. The paper concludes that to attain sustainable social, cultural or economic development, the culture of durbar festival should be sustained through continuous supports from the government, corporate organisations and the stakeholders. Therefore, the paper recommends that the durbar committee should be seen not to be partisan by the people of the emirate. Financial supports from the state government needs upward review and the overcrowded durbar arena can be well controlled if tiered seats are provided for the audience.