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Tag: African culture

  • Stakeholders advocate preservation of African culture

    Stakeholders advocate preservation of African culture

    • From segun Showunmi, Ibadan

    The Convener, 7th Art Competition and Inter Schools Talent Hunt Exhibition, Olaide Turner-Moyet; Professor of Arts and Dance, Chief Tunde Odunlade; Curator, National Museum of Unity, Aleshinloye, Ibadan, Mrs Oriyomi Otuka, represented by Assistant Director of the museum, Mr. Rufus Olayemi and others have stressed the need for Africans to preserve their culture.

    They said preserving African culture was crucial to fostering a sense of identity and promoting intercultural understanding.

    Speaking in Ibadan at the 7th Art Competition and Inter Schools Talent Hunt Exhibition with the theme: “My African Roots: My Pride”, Turner-Moyet urged Africans not to relent in celebrating their roots.

    She says the future of Africa is now, and not tomorrow, hence the need for young talents to take their future in their hands.

    Read Also: FG launches YouthCred credit scheme to support 400,000 young Nigerians

    Turner-Moyet said the theme of the event was borne out of a vision towards bridging creativity with purpose, seeing the platform as a fertile ground where self-awareness meets skills, builds artistic expression and meets cultural education, and where seeds of leadership are sown through imagination and dialogue.

    The Chairman of the event, Chief Odunlade, advised Nigerians across the world to unite and ensure the nation’s arts and culture did not go into extinction.

    He said Nigerians must always promote arts and culture.

    He enjoined the government to create an enabling environment for talented youths to thrive.

    One of the guest lecturers and the Assistant Director, Medical Social Services, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Olagunju Adelayo, urged parents to monitor their children.

    Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Segun Olayiwola, represented by the Registrar (Exams) in the ministry, Mr. Johnson Awodeji, said Nigeria, particularly Oyo State, had a lot of talented youths, urging Nigerian leaders to tap into their potential to ensure their skills were utilised.

  • EcobankPay promotes African culture

    EcobankPay, the lifestyle digital payment and collections service of Ecobank Nigeria, has entered into a partnership with TerraKulture, Nigeria’s foremost stage play and cultural show promoters with Bolanle-Austen Peters as lead.

    Through this partnership, Ecobank intends to support the promotion of African arts and culture starting from April 2019. For each festive season, there will be a theatrical production – April coinciding with the Easter celebrations; October season to correspond with the nation’s independence anniversary and December season end of year festivities.

    Commenting on the partnership, Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Patrick Akinwuntan said it is one of the several initiatives by the pan African Bank to boost culture, history and the entertainment industry in Nigeria. He noted that the partnership would create jobs, further re-ignite and engender interest in watching stage plays and derive learning points from history and rich culture that will be showcased through the shows.

    According to him, “as the Pan-African bank, Ecobank is pleased to partner with a renowned African culture promoter – TerraKulture to achieve our collective vision of promoting indigenous African plays to reinforce knowledge of and also celebrate our history, culture and values.

     

     

     

  • Ooni seeks understanding of African culture

    The Ooni of Ile-Ife in Osun State, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi II, is expected to move into a seven-day seclusion soon to commune with his ancestors and pray for the nation ahead of the grand finale of Olojo Festival on September 30.

    The frontline monarch called for a better understanding of African cultural beliefs.

    Addressing reporters ahead of the festival, Oba Ogunwusi called for the repackaging of African culture to remove the negative tag on the beliefs of the Black race.

    The monarch noted that contrary to the view of many people within and outside the continent, deities and forbears of Africans were servants of God.

    According to him, the deities are doing well in delivering the mandate given to them by God.

    On the significance of the festival, the foremost Yoruba monarch said the Olojo is the celebration of the first dusk and dawn.

    Oba Ogunwusi said during the festival, the Ooni wears Are crown and takes a walk to Oke Mogun where the first dusk and dawn occurred.

    Describing the Olojo as a global festival, Oba Ogunwusi called for proper education of the younger generation on the significance of major cultural celebrations of the Yoruba.

    Oba Ogunwusi said: “Some members of the Black Caucus of Pennsylvania House of Representatives and about 150 other African-Americans have already indicated interest to participate in this year’s Olojo Festival.”

    He also called for a repackage of African culture and proper education of the younger generation on the significance of major cultural celebrations of the Yoruba.

    Highlights of this year’s festival include reorientation workshop for youths on culture, a football competition, ayo olopon, a fashion show and traditional music night.

  • ‘Fashion can boost Nigeria’s iconic cities’

    ‘Fashion can boost Nigeria’s iconic cities’

    The founder, Africa Fashion Week London/Nigeria, Ronke Ademiluyi, says that fashion can be used as a veritable platform to enhance the profile of the nations iconic cities.

    Ademiluyi made the assertion during a visit to the Lagos office of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Tuesday.

    According to her, we realized that most of our historic monuments are going down and we need to sell it to the outside world to draw them into our country.

    “Nigeria has the potential to become one of the biggest tourism havens in Africa, if we do not promote what we have as our own heritage, no one will do it for us.

    “I mean 10 top countries, its going in billions and trillions, look at little Gambia, in fact, their economy is on tourism, nine months of the year, they are earning from tourism,’’ she said.

    Ademuliyi said that African Fashion Industry was worth about 31 billion dollars and still growing by the day.

    “There is recognition for the African fashion industry across the globe, and we are trying to encourage upcoming designers to have a platform that will boost our tourism industry,’’ she added.

    In the same vein, Aiki Odiawa, a partner in the Africa Fashion Week London/Nigeria, said there was a cyclical effect of the fashion industry on the economy

    “Nigerian designers are very vibrant and unique, they have what it takes to turn the fashion industry into economic gain by diverting fashion traffic into the country,’’ she said.

    She said that Africa fashion week started in London with over 50 designers of which 40 were from Nigeria.

    “The Nigerian fashion industry sets the pace in the fashion industry. When we set the ball rolling, everyone will follow.

    “In Brazil, they want to know everything about African culture and Nigeria has it; we have reached the historical “Point of No Return’’ that the government has just refurbished, let the foreign visitors go there.

    “At the end of the day, we are looking at a balance of payment in terms of Forex; we are talking about Forex not coming into the country.

    “But when these people come in they spend foreign currency, and we must grow the market ourselves and show them what we have.

    “I’m sure people in Lagos haven’t even been to Tinubu Square in recent times, it is an amazing place to go to now, the National Theatre is an edifice that is worth coming down to look at.

    “We all queue in front of Madam Tussaud in London, we queue in front of Eiffel Tower in Paris, it’s the same thing, and we are even better off because we’ve got stories to tell.

    “We’ve got tales to tell, those are all artificial pieces that were made there, but we have stories to tell about all the things we have.

    “For the country, we are talking about hospitality business, we are talking foreign exchange, we are talking inflow of air travel and road travel.

    “And even tourism within the country would be improved by the time people know that there are things for them to see, it will educate our children.

    She told NAN that the forthcoming 2017 Africa Fashion Week, Nigeria, tagged “The Iconic Catwalk Show’’ would take place at the National Theatre and Tinubu Square on April 1 and April 2 respectively.

  • Ooni to crown Obasanjo Ruby King of Festac

    Ooni to crown Obasanjo Ruby King of Festac

    Due to former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s contributions to the successful celebration of Festac 77 in 1977, the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC) has concluded plans to crown him the Ruby King of Festac in May in Abuja.

    Dr Anikwe said the former president would be crowned the Ruby King of Festac and the Patron of African Culture by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja ll.

    The Director- General, CBAAC, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos that it was part of activities to commemorate four decades after the event was hosted by Nigeria.

    NAN reports that Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was Nigeria’s military head of state when the country hosted the festival in 1977.

    It also reports that the crowning would form parts of the activities to celebrate Festac 77@40 that would start on April 1.

    “Obasanjo appears as the greatest, in terms of the promotion of African culture in the whole of Africa and the black world, by the singular effort he demonstrated by organising and hosting Festac 77.

    “There has not been any other event that can be compared with it; so, any form of positive accolade will not be too much for him.

    “In a rare understanding of what the event would contribute toward showcasing Black and African cultural heritage then, Obasanjo quickly made wise consultations, recognised the international festival committee and other communities.

    “He put square pegs in square holes, made funds available and eventually a festival that could be described as the largest assemblage of Black and African people worldwide was held from Jan.15, 1977 to Feb.12, 1977.

    “The event was not only momentarily successful; it could also be described as a watershed in the Pan- Africans’ struggle.

    “It is to Obasanjo’s eternal credit that Festac 77 covered the entire gamut of Black and African cultural heritage.’’

    Anikwe urged other Africans to emulate Obasanjo by doing things worthy of emulation, celebration, symbolism, recognisable and crowning, to earn the admiration of Africans.

    NAN reports that activities to mark Festac 77@ 40 would hold in over 10 states including the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja) where the Mascot would be unveiled on April 1.

    It would also entail different cultural displays that would hold in some states including Katsina, Enugu, Ogun, Kaduna, Akwa- Ibom and some foreign countries.

  • Carnival Calabar: Melting pot of African culture

    If there was a year Carnival Calabar stamped its mark as Nigeria’s foremost tourist destination, it was 2016 during the last carnival. In the process, the city has also established itself as the number melting point for all cultures in Africa.

    For many who are used to the carnival, the high point was usually the carnival parade by the different bands. It is a fact that when the bands are out on the streets, Calabar bursts into colours. Every part of the town is lightened up by the parade of beautiful youths and elderly bedecked in wonderful, catchy costumes.

    While the revellers engaged in dancing and partying on the streets of Calabar kilometres of onlookers lined up the streets to watch, economic activities are also very active catering for thousands of tourists that descended on the city in search of fun.

    It is to the credit of the current administration of the state that the innovation which first introduced as a side kick of the main carnival, is now taking a life of its own. The international carnival, in its second year, was almost rivaling the main carnival both in content and  the competition that goes with the performance.

    Thirteen countries from Africa, Europe and America participated in the second edition of the carnival. For those who may not be in the know, it was not just the participation of these countries that  shows the significance now attached to the festival internationally, but the efforts and sacrifice that these performers passed through to perform before Africa and the world on the Calabar Carnival platform.

    The weather was bad. There was also the uncertainty of whether to fly or not to fly. These performers endured having to fly and land in nearby states of Rivers and Akwa Ibom and travel by road to to Calabar.  They had to put up a spectacle  a few hours after arriving Calabar after long road journey. The zeal and passion in their performance was not dampened.  Among the countries in attendance were Braziil, South Africa, Ghana, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Egypt, South Korea, Croatia, Ethiopia and many other countries.

    The performance by both Brazilian and South Africa troupes were exceptional.  At the end of the day, the Vai Vai troupe from Brazil carried the day. One needs not  to be a prophet to know that the international carnival in Calabar in their next few years will see more countries and more competitive.

    Meanwhile, Seagull Band led by Senator Florence Ita-Giwa emerged the 2016 winner of Carnival Calabar. The band dethroned the seven times winner of the carnival float procession, the Passion Four Band.  Passion Four Band came second, while the Masta Blasta Band came third.

    The competing bands had worked under the 2016 theme of Climate Change. Organisers said they chose this year’s theme to reflect current global realities, with a view to drawing the attention of government and  individuals to the need to take necessary action against climate change.

    Seagull Band’s interpretation of the theme was educative and the band delivered it with entertainment.

    Thousands from within and outside the country had converged on the ancient city of Calabar to be part of the festival. This is the second edition of the festival under the current governor of the state, Professor Ben Ayade.

    This year’s festival had much colour and variety with the participation of more than 12 countries.

    Governor Ben Ayade, during the flagging of the grand finale,  described Carnival Calabar as the melting pot of Africa’s hospitality. He said that the carnival, which had gained international recognition over the years, had continued to grow bigger, better and bolder.

    “The flag off of the grand finale of the 2016 Calabar Carnival represents the true beginning of African enjoyment. As we have started today, this is the beginning of a new dawn in Africa. Calabar Carnival remains the largest street party in Africa.

  • When Ooni challenges pupils on African culture

    When Ooni challenges pupils on African culture

    PUPILS of Queensland Academy, Okota, Lagos last week enjoyed the rare privilege of meeting the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi in his palace during a four-day excursion.

    Proprietress of the school, Mrs. Adenike Okudor, said  the excursion tagged: “Know your country”, was to help participants understand their cultural heritage.

    The monarch, who encouraged them the pupils to study hard, also urged them to learn about their cultures and their parents’ home lands.

    Oba Ogunwusi conducted them round his palace, showing them interesting things, including a mysterious well, which he said from history is regarded as the first wife of every man who eventually becomes the Ooni.

    “This water is the wife of everybody who becomes Ooni in Ife. You can’t see her but I do. She is beautiful and nice. It is the wife of our great grandfather that turned into water after she was offended and we must respect her because we inherited her in the palace,” he said.

    He advised school owners to include value for African culture in their curriculum, noting that civilisation started from Africa, and so  African culture, which he described as  ‘the richest in the world’ should not be neglected.

    He said: “It is one of my plans to create awareness about our cultural heritage from primary to secondary school and even to the tertiary institutions.

    “This is important because we are losing values and we must encourage our children to preserve it.

    “We need to understand where we hail from and the culture we are practising very well. We also need to derive joy in African culture because development started here.

    “There are proper documentations that show that development started from Africa. We need to preserve this heritage. I also want to encourage you to aggressively embark on domestic tourism for our children to know that we have good things in Africa.

    “Children, If you are from Igbo land, make sure you understand Igbo culture, same with Hausa and Yoruba.

    “I want you to understand that you are all Nigerians and we are one. We should be proud of our heritage. If we are proud of our continent, we won’t be regarded as second class citizens of the world.”

    Earlier, a Director of the school, Mr. Segun Akinyelure, who spoke on behalf of Mrs Okudor, said the visit was to establish a relationship with the monarch especially in the area of agriculture.

    He said the school chose Osun for excursion in the Southwest because it is one of the states certified by UNESCO for agricultural development and tourism in Nigeria.

    “The school is also trying to help pupils know their culture and where they come from. Some of them have travelled far and wide but they don’t really understand their culture. They have gone on excursion to Europe and USA but this time around, we felt it is good for them to know their culture.

    An SS 1 pupil, Favour Ifechukwu-Okafor, was  awed by the cultural artefacts.

    “The kabiyesi has demonstrated high level of understanding on how to encourage children.

    “He taught us how to secure a prosperous and fulfilling future. The most amazing thing is that of the mysterious water he showed us. It is an unforgettable experience. When I get home, I will tell my parents, friends and family to ensure they also visit here for more enlightenment about our culture,” she said.

  • Centre renews commitment to promote African culture

    Centre renews commitment to promote African culture

    Mr. Ferdinand Anikwe, the Director-General, Centre for Black and African Art Civilisation (CBAAC), on Wednesday renewed the agency’s focus on promoting African culture in Nigeria and abroad.

    Anikwe told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the promotion would be through symposia, lectures and other organised programmes for youths.

    “We want to re-educate and re-orientate youths on our cultural values; we are going to do this through debates and competitions and with the help of our local artistes.

    “Culture is another medium for conflict resolution; it is appropriate, wonderful, effective, penetrating and persuasive.

    “We are using culture to bring non-violence revolution; we want cultural revolutionary ideas, behaviours and transformation.

    “These will bring new forms in infrastructure as well as education.

    “So, we are saying that a new Nigeria has emerged and out of social re-generation Nigeria is changing for the better,’’ the director said.

    According to Anikwe, CBAAC will encourage youths to create programmes like drama sketches on the significance of speaking indigenous languages.

    “We have come up with factors that unite us rather than divide Nigeria. We want the world to keep seeing the beautiful side of Nigeria and not all the negative images.

    “We will continue to deliberate on our culture, philosophy of life, traditional governance system, and indigenous village and technology,’’ he said.

    The director noted that with everybody’s support, African culture would change people’s consciousness about violence and conflict.

    He therefore urged the media to assist the agency in its quest to promote African culture to the outside world.

    “The media has a role to play; we ask for your cooperation to promote and market African culture.

    “Together we can join hands to take our culture to a level where it will be the envy of the world,’’ he said.

  • A taste of African culture

    A taste of African culture

    The fiesta started with parades by of students in their traditional attires. In batches, they mounted the podium to dance. The audience watched with delight as students from eight African countries showcased their heritage in a night of cultural exhibition at the University of Calabar (UNICAL) Hotel.

    The event was to entertain and unite students who took part in the Sixth Pan-African Universities Debate Championship (PAUDC) with the theme: Conflict, insecurity and good governance in Africa.

    The participating countries were South Africa, Ghana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, Tanzania, Botswana and Nigeria.

    The hall was filled to capacity; students, who did not come early, could not get seats.

    The organisers said the show was aimed to explore the cultures of countries on the continent to forster unity and peace.

    “This show was organised to make the students feel like one and to enable other students from different parts of the world learn the rich culture imbedded in Nigeria,” a statement from the organisers reads.

    The cultural fiesta started at 8pm with the host, UNICAL students in various cultural regalia, taking the stage to display Nigerian cultures. A crowd of students cheered them on as they marched onto the stage. In Aluta fashion, they shouted: “Un-intimidated Nigerian students oo”. A thunderous response of “Yes oo” by the Nigerian audience followed the greeting.

    The UNICAL students showcased cultures of Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa, Efik and Ijaw people. The display was followed by cultural procession by students from Botswana, South Africa, Ghana, Namibia, Tanzania, Cameroon and Zimbabwe.

    Efik students, who were clad in Ukpong, Onyoyo, and Osobo traditional attires, performed Ekombi and Etighi dance steps to entertain the audience.

    In their Kente and Batakari attires, the Ghanaian students took the stage to perform. They entertained their colleagues with Palogo, Alqueda and Azonto dance steps. The audience was thrilled with the performance.

    The Cameroun students were all smiles in their Ben-skin and Bamilika regalia. They performed the popular Makossa and Lambasebe dance with a thunderous applause from the crowd.

    Isaac Boakye, a student of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, said: “This is my first time of travelling outside Ghana. I have always been reading stories about Nigeria culture and today I am here to see things for myself. Nigeria is very africanised; the only difference is the pattern of their food, I so much love the egusi, afang, eba pounded yam and fufu.”

    Isaac described Calabar as one of the best cities he had visited, saying he would regularly visit Nigeria to learn more about the country’s culture.

    The event ended with entertaining the students with Ishewu delicacy and star larger beer.