The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Cultural Day

  • Students celebrate Cultural Day in colour

    For students of the Benson Idahosa University, celebrating Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage is not only necessary, but a priority. In the last 14 years that the university management has been organising the Cultural Day carnival, no two editions had ever been the same.

    Characterised by colour, glamour and enthusiasm, the 2019 Cultural Day featured dance and drama. As usual, participants were creatively costumed in admirable regalias, which reflected the rich Nigerian culture. It was a beautiful sight to behold as students across many ethnic groups trooped out to showcase the beauty of the Nigerian culture. The celebration, which held in the school‘s main auditorium, also featured a beauty pageant.

    Declaring the event open, the Vice Chancellor, Prof Sam Guobadia, described the event as a remarkable one, saying the essence of the programme was to promote peace among students and help them identify with their culture.

    Guobodia, who was represented by the Dean, School of Post-graduate Studies, Prof Bamidele Sanni, hailed the students for coming together to celebrate their cultures.

    At the event, Nollywood actor Charles Inojie urged the participants not to forget their culture wherever and in whatever they do. This, he said, would help them connect to their roots.

    He praised the management for keeping the event going. Inoje noted that he felt a sense of belonging during the event.

    He said: “I feel as if I were in my village being in the midst of my people. It connects me to my root and makes me feel a sense of belonging.”

    Inoje also praised the students for coming together to promote their culture. He said such event would make them to be conscious of their roots and heritage

    He said the Nigerian cultural heritage would be more elevated if students showed interest in their culture and learnt about others across the country.

    The highlight of the event was the performances by students of traditional dances of some ethnic groups. The audience hailed the revelers as they performed their traditional dance steps to entertain guests.

    The Ijaws emerged winners of the carnival after they put up a sterling performance, which held the crowd spellbound.

  • Ebira union marks cultural day

    Ebira Avabe (Unity) club, a social cultural club based in Ibadan, Oyo State, will celebrate her 19th anniversary, tagged: “Ebira Cultural Day 2019” tomorrow till Sunday in Ago-Ebira, Olugbode, Ibadan, Oyo State.

    Omikede Monday Jimoh will be on stage to entertain people with his Ikede music while the famous king of drummers in Ebiraland, Alhaji Jimoh and his group dish out the traditional drum beats in the two-day event.

     

  • Embrace local culture, minister urges students

    The Minister of Information and culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has urged students and parents to embrace their local languages and cultures.

    Mohammed,who was represented at the Cultural Day celebration of Abia State Polytechnic, Aba by Mr. Uche Idika Kalu, the Curator of National Museum of Colonial History, Aba, lamented that Nigerians were abandoning their cultural heritage.

    He said events like the Cultural Day celebration reminded people of the need to preserve their cultures and traditions.

    The Minister praised the Igbo for their industry and hospitality. However, he condemned the quest for materialism, especially among the youth.

    He called for patience and hard work, warning that anyone who tries to acquire wealth through  crooked means would end up in regret.

    The Rector of the polytechnic, Prof. Friday Eboh, described the event as important one.

    He said the school decided to mark the yearly cultural festival to help promote the cultural heritage of various ethnic groups in Nigeria.

    He urged parents to join the school and other stakeholders in the campaign to ensure that customs and traditions of various ethnic groups in the country continue to exist.

    Highlights of the event were various displays from various ethnic groups on the campus.

  • Display of royal culture

    Display of royal culture

    Culture was on display at the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU) in Lapai, Niger State, when the Hausa-Fulani Students’ Association (HAFUSA) held its Cultural Day and Bikin Dawra Rawani (coronation) for its new Sarkin (leader). MAHMUD ABDULSALAM reports.

    By 10 a.m, the Fada (palace) had been filled. Made from bamboo straws, the makeshift palace was beautifully decorated. Seated at the palace’s entrance were guests and students, waiting for the emir.

    Moment after, sounds of Kaakaki (traditional trumpet) permeated the air, heralding the arrival of the ‘emir’ and his entourage.

    Welcome to the Bikin Dawra Rawani (coronation) and cultural day of the Hausa-Fulani Students’ Association (HAFUSA) at the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU) in Lapai, Niger State, which was held last Saturday.

    The emir, Isah Yahaya, his Gimbiya (queen) and chiefs made their way into the palace on royal horses adorned with chains of coins and leather materials. Clad in Baban Riga (flowing robes) and Rawani (turban), the emir and his chiefs in the Masarauta (emirate council) were cheerfully received by the guests.

    As he prepared to get off the horse, the emir  threw kola nuts at his ‘subjects’ . In response, they chanted Ranke ya dade! (Long shall you live, Your Highness). Others hailed the emir, screaming: Sarki, an gaishe ka (Your Majesty, we salute you), Allah ya jazamin Sarki (May God prolong your reign, Your Majesty).

    Surrounded by a group of red-cloth palace guards, the emir held a staff with his left hand and raised his firmly-clenched right fist to acknowledge the compliments.

    As the coronation rites were going on in the forecourt of the Management Lecture Theatre (MLT), the Yan Wasan Kwaikwayo (traditional palace jesters) threw rib-cracking jokes to entertain the audience. After the coronation, the emir and his chiefs stepped out for ‘special prayers’ by religious clerics.

    The association’s Patron, Mallam Idris Kusharki, explained the importance of the event in Hausa-Fulani society. Coronation of emir, he said, is an important heritage in Hausa-Fulani culture, without which a society is doom, if the coronation rites are not performed.

    He said the ceremony would help foster peace and promote love among diverse members of a community, adding that integrity, moral character and leadership credibility of the emir could be put to question if the rights are not performed.

    He said: “Coronation is seen as harbinger of positive changes in a traditional Hausa-Fulani society. It is a belief that, only emirs who are likely to be oppressive, arrogant and egocentric will shun coronation.”

    Kusharki prayed for divine wisdom to direct the affairs of the incoming leaders. He advised them to be humble and to seek counsel in the running of the association’s affair.

    The outgoing emir, Muhammad Salihu, expressed gratitude to Allah for having a “hitch-free”reign, saying: “The association has achieved outstanding progress under our reign.”

    He added: “We have projected the association to become strong and influential, even beyond the campus. By our humble achievements, we have redefined the concept of service and servant leadership. These are part of the legacies my administration is leaving behind.

    “We projected our culture by organising strategic cultural events, which we used to build bridges of unity by ensuring our members cohabit peacefully with students from other ethnic groups. The legacy projects we promised when we came had been completed.”

    The Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Muhammad Nasir Maiturare, who was the special guest of honour, noted that Hausa-Fulani’s culture promotes social order and unique belief system, advising members of the association to reject negative values that would tarnish the image of the association and their heritage.

    He said: “As Hausa-Fulani ethnic groups, we have been portrayed wickedly by stereotypical words and languages. The onus lies on you all to always show decent public conduct. This will help in correcting the wrong stereotypes about northerners, Muslims and Hausa-Fulani in particular.”

    The emir conferred a traditional title of Na’isan (Dependable trustee) on the VC during the ceremony. In his acceptance message, Prof Maiturare appreciated members of the association for the honour, admonishing them to be law-abiding and take their studies seriously.

    The VC said: “The Hausa-Fulani are renowned for their scholarship. Historically, they are not known to have condemned any form of knowledge. Instead, they are passionate about education. We have northerners becoming renowned clerics, professors and industrialists. You must reject any idea that says you should not acquire education.”

    Stepping out to address the guests, Isah hailed his predecessor for making “valuable contributions” to the growth of the association, promising to consolidate on Muhammad’s achievements.

    He said he would welcome constructive criticisms from members of the association, adding that he would not reject “wise counsel” that would help the association’s progress. The emir cautioned his ‘subjects’ against vices that may bring disrepute to the name of the association.

    After the emir’s speech, the guests were entertained by a troupe of Yan mata (young ladies) that performed traditional dance steps. As this was going on, sumptuous traditional delicacies, such as Dambu, Dan Wake, Fura da Nono, Alewa, Kunu, Tuwo, Masa, and Zogale, were served.

    Some students told CAMPUSLIFE that the event as spectacular, saying it was a display of a tradition.

    A 300-Level student, Happiness Christopher, said the event erased the wrong impression she had about Hausa-Fulani people. Fascinated by the cultural display, Happiness said: “The Hausa-Fulani people are not actually what they are perceived to be. I learnt many things about their tradition, belief system and food, which changed my impression about these unique people. I have been shown that Hausa-Fulani people are intelligent, literate and accommodating.”

    Another student, Zainab Abdulmalik, said the event made her proud of her heritage, adding: “It was fun to be served my best meal at the event.”

    The Dean of Students’ Affairs, Dr Aliyu Ma’ali, advised members of other cultural groups on the campus to promote values that would foster peace and unity in the school. He described the emir’s coronation as a “colourful display of tradition”, noting that Hausa-Fulani culture does not support illiteracy and laziness.

    He said: “There is no culture that does not have its values and distinct belief system. As we have seen from this event, the culture of Hausa-Fulani people promotes co-habitation, respect and good virtues. It is an act of mischief to use actions of a few misguided people should to judge a whole race. From what we seen here, illiteracy and laziness do not have basis in our culture. I advise other cultural groups to emulate the association by showcasing their cultural heritages in this colourful manner that would enable their colleagues learn and respect their cultures.”

  • Gbagyi celebrates cultural day

    Gbagyi celebrates cultural day

    The Gbagyi community in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has for long been known to organise cultural displays.

    The recent festival, which took place on  January 2, was organised by the Karu Gbagyi Youths Development Association (KAGBADA) with representation from Nyanya, Jikwoyi, Kugbo, Gbagalape, Dagbadna and other villages under Karu chiefdom.

    Present at the festival were representatives from the FCT Administration, politicians and royal fathers, including the Ona of Abaji, Esu of New Karu in Nasarawa State, His Royal Highness, Luka Panya.

    The media coordinator, Karu Gbagyi Youths Development Association (KAGBADA), Sumner Sambo, in a statement, said political and traditional leaders in the Federal Capital Territory urged the Federal Government and the National Assembly to speed up the process of democratising governance in the territory through a second-tier system for Abuja.

    Speaking on behalf of the political leaders of the territory, Senate Minority Whip, Senator Philip Tanimu Aduda, who is also the Talban Karu, said the time had come for all Nigerians to support the Abuja natives to elect a Mayor.

    Aduda said: “We are appealing to our colleagues at the National Assembly, legislators in the 36 states Houses of Assembly and the Federal Government to support the new constitution review on the status of the FCT when the amendment is concluded and passed around for concurrence so that we can have a sustainable and democratic second-tier system of governance in Abuja.”

    The Chairman of the occasion and Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Nasarawa State University, Prof Andrew Zamani,  harped on the need for the Federal Government not to take the patience of Abuja natives for granted. He added that the people were tired of constantly having ministers imposed on them.

    “The advent of Abuja culminated in the dispersal of our people. Out of goodwill, not out of conquest, our people welcomed the Federal Government. It culminated also in our extension of friendship to our brothers and sisters from other parts of Nigeria. But what have we received in return? It is spite and contempt. It is really highly unfortunate. We therefore call on our brothers and sisters who joined us today to celebrate our common humanity and unity to ensure that we enjoy the prosperity of the land usurped from us alongside other Nigerians.”

    Other speakers at the event included the Member representing AMAC/Bwari federal constituency, Honourable Zaphaniah Jisalo who said the two members representing the territory will join hands with Senator Aduda and other sympathetic federal legislators to push for a constitution review that will be acceptable by political leaders and all Nigerians.

    The Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council, Hon. Abdullahi Adamu Candido, urged Nigerians resident in Abuja to support natives in their quest for self-governance.

    He also praised the organisers of the cultural festival for including other indigenous tribes within FCT and ethnicities from all over Nigeria.

    Traditional rulers at the event praised their people especially the political leaders who they said are beginning to appreciate the need for unity of all tribes and political groups in Abuja.

    The host and Sakaruyi of Karu Chiefdom, His Royal Highness, Emmanuel Kyauta Yepwi, said: “We are still like orphans in Abuja and if we don’t bring ourselves in unity, and be fighting a reasonable cause, I think we shall not reach anywhere.”

    The Esu of New Karu in Nasarawa State, His Royal Highness, Luka Panya Baba, admonished the nine indigenous tribes in FCT to live peacefully and support one  other in their quest for self-administration. He also talked about the proposed museum project for the entire Gbagyi race to be sited in Abuja.

    “I want to encourage all Gbagyi sons and daughters at this forum to work towards the success of this project. The trustees of the project are spread across various states in the country from Niger, Kaduna, Kwara, Kogi and many more states. We count on all the Gbagyi people in Nigeria to queue into this project.”

  • School holds Cultural Day

    School holds Cultural Day

    Supreme House Montessori School, Lekki, Lagos has held its Eighth Cultural Day.

    The event with the theme: ‘Strength in our unity’ took place at the school’s premises. Parents applauded the exciting African cultural activities.

    Decked in their colourful beads, beautiful ear-rings and trendy traditional attire, the pupils expressed themselves in dance, songs and other activities reminiscent of Nigerian traditional values.

    Proprietor of the school, Mrs Ebele Okereke, expressed delight with the cultural presentation by various classes. She described culture as a way of life, a set of attitudes, values and beliefs, passed from generation to generation.

    She said: “Parents are happy when they hear their children speak our ethnic language.

    “Let’s try and introduce it (language) to them at home. It’s been proved that children below six can effortlessly pick up more than four different languages at the same time without their grammatical expression being affected. Today, we meet graduates who can’t speak or write English well, yet can’t even express themselves in their ethnic language. That’s total loss.’’

    She noted that events, such as the Cultural Day, would help pupils learn more about the various cultural practices in the country.

    “Our children have been introduced to the culture of food, dance, clothing, and they are able to learn each other’s language. We had a situation where our Yoruba children learn Igbo; Igbo children,  Hausa, and it has been fun,” she added.

    Okereke cautioned parents who discourage their children from speaking their local language to desist from such, adding that a man without the ability to speak his native dialect has no identity.

  • School promotes unity at Cultural Day

    With colourful attires and demonstrations from various tribes of Nigeria, pupils of Access International School, Magboro in Ogun State promoted virtues of a united Nigeria during their cultural day.

    Activities at the event were translated into Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa and Calabar languages at every turn.

    The primary and secondary pupils and their teachers presented various dance styles, foods, history, attires, speech and other cultural norms of various tribes in Nigeria.

    The Yoruba teacher, Mr Azeez Adeleke, who explained the origin of the Yoruba culture, urged parents to teach children their mother language as it always promotes morality.

    Head teacher of the school’s primary arm, Mr Yaw Agyei, a Ghanaian who also explained the history of his kinsmen to pupils, said culture and training go together.

    An SS 1 pupil, Praise Bassey, who featured with the Calabar troupe in dance and food presentation, urged her peers to stay united and learn their mother language, despite their different tribes, to build an enviable Nigeria.

    Proprietor of the school, Dr Jonathan Akpan, said the school is dedicated to imparting knowledge and cultural unity on pupils through its programmes and activities.

    He said: “We join hands in our school to lift up various tribes in our country. That shows that Nigeria is still one, despite our economic and tribal upheavals.  Our languages are even spoken beyond Nigeria and people in other countries also stick to theirs.

    “Mother tongue is important and should be compulsory in schools. We should stop  the act of replac ing our language by speaking   English Language to  our children always. Parents should try to teach their children their language. The school cannot employ teachers to teach the children all the tribes so it  must start from home.”

  • School promotes unity at Cultural Day

    School promotes unity at Cultural Day

    With colourful attires and demonstrations from various tribes of Nigeria, pupils of Access International School, Magboro, Ogun State promoted virtues of a united Nigeria during their cultural day.

    Activities at the event were translated in Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa and Calabar languages at every turn.

    The primary and secondary pupils and their teachers presented various dance styles, foods, history, attires, speech and other cultural norms of various tribes in Nigeria.

    The Yoruba teacher, Mr Azeez Adeleke, who explained the origin of the Yoruba culture, urged parents to teach children their mother language as it always promotes morality.

    Head teacher of the school’s primary arm, Mr Yaw Agyei, a Ghanian who also explained the history of his kinsmen to pupils, said culture and training go together.

    An SS 1 pupil, Praise Bassey, who featured with the Calabar troupe in dance and food presentation, urged her peers to stay united and learn their mother language, despite their different tribes, to build an enviable Nigeria.

    Proprietor of the school, Dr Jonathan Akpan, said the school is dedicated to imparting knowledge and cultural unity on pupils through its programmes and activities.

    He said: “We join hands in our school to lift up various tribes in our country. That shows that Nigeria is still one, despite our economic and tribal upheavals.  Our languages are even spoken beyond Nigeria and people in other countries also stick to theirs.

    “Mother tongue is important and should be compulsory in schools. We should stop  the act of replac ing our language by speaking   English Language to  our children always . Parents should try to teach their children their language. The school cannot employ teachers to teach the children all the tribes so it  must start from home.”

  • Commissioner praises college for Cultural Day

    The Rivers State Commissioner for culture and Tourism, Dr. Imegwu Nnabuihe Nabbs, has praised the staff and management of Holly Rosary College Port Harcourt for showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Nigeria.

    Dr Imegwu stated this during the Holy Rosary annual Cultural Day celebration held recently in Port Harcourt. Giving his remark as the guest of honour, the Commissioner said Nigeria has a rich culture and it is left in the hands of parents and teachers to educate students who are the future leaders on the importance of culture.

    He noted that a school like Holy Rosary Collage where almost all the ethnic groups in Nigeria were represented will always add colour and entertain its guests through the display of different cultures among students The commissioner, however, thanked the management and staff of the collage for initiating such a laudable idea that could bring unity and make future leaders understand the culture of others.

    Responding, the school head teacher Mrs Veronica Efika, spoke on the essence of the event.

    She said: “The college decided to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the ethnic groups in Nigeria as it is presented in the community. It is an annual event that brings our children close to their origin.

    “Food, clothing and shelter are three of our most important needs but all of us do not eat the same kinds of food; we do not wear the same kinds of cloths nor do we live in the same kinds of houses in our different cultural setting. But by this event, the children will understand themselves better and live as one.”

     

    The high point of the occasion was match pass, cultural songs, dance, cooking competition and drama among others.