The Nation Newspaper

Tag: CULTURE

  • One Corner Dance- The darling of parties, events

    One Corner Dance- The darling of parties, events

    Dance forms a very important aspect of our identity as a people. It most times is at the epi-centre of our culture and tradition.

    We communicate and share our essence with global audiences when we dance, especially our traditional dances.

    Although, to be a good dancer you need a lot of practice and training and would be easier if the talent is inborn.

    However, when dance loses its rhythm and essence, it not only becomes a ‘demonstration of craze’, but reduces man to states of bestial tendencies; more or less like a macabre dance.

    Social media have been set ablaze with the trending song called ‘one corner dance’. This song by Patapaa Amisty, a Ghanian musician, requires some level of craziness to flow with it.

    The winning strategy for this song was the introduction of a dance competition online; this meant that the winner carts away with a huge sum of money.

    The dance competition made the song more popular (or should we say – notorious?), because both the old, young, celebrity and ordinary person danced enthusiastically and posts it on their various social media platforms.

    This song has spread like wildfire such that it has become the darling of wedding parties and youth events, not just in its place of origin (Ghana), but also in our beloved country – Nigeria.

    The question that readily comes to mind is – Is there a possessive spirit behind this song or is it an avenue for people to escape from the harsh economic and social realities that continues to stare them in the face like a one-eyed monster?

    Can we say that those who dance to this song in weird manners do so without any sense of reasoning? Please before you start to throw tantrums on the writer…HOLD UP!

    This should be an appropriate point for our regulatory bodies like the National Broadcasting Commission ( NBC ) to step up and take charge of the airwaves because apart from the fact that this ‘alien’ song has been surreptitiously introduced into our country, this song is gradually eating deep into the comportment and perceived sanity, especially among our youths and teenagers who have too much energy to burn.

    The One Corner song is powered by merriment dance, which is hilarious in its notion. It is a sexualized dance movement in the sense that you move your waist in a sexual form.

    Obviously, we (the youths) are already drowning in the ocean of ignorance and have thrown caution to the wind when it comes to ‘dancing.’

    Although culture (dance inclusive) can be a viable source of revenue for the country, however, it is also very expedient that we tell the narrative of our rich tradition in the right way.

    In Conclusion, Nigerians especially the youths should be more innovative and creative, and stop waiting for the chance to feed on another man’s creativity, especially when it is bereft of cultural ideals.

  • Aregbesola pushes for productivity culture

    Aregbesola pushes for productivity culture

    Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has urged the people to avoid violence, ethno-religious conflicts and any other behaviour capable of threatening the peace and unity of the country.

    He said though the country had witnessed challenges since independence, it had nevertheless made significant progress.

    Aregbesola enjoined Nigerians to continue to tow the path of peace and promote positive values.

    In a congratulatory message from his spokesman Sola Fasure, to mark the country’s 57thindependence anniversary, the Osun State governor urged Nigerians to wake up to their responsibilities and take their destinies in their hands.

    According to him, the era of over-dependency on rent economy foisted on the nation by oil is gradually winding down and, as such, Nigerians should imbibe the culture of hard work and gainful productive activities.

    Aregbesola urged federal, states and local governments to put 50 million Nigerians to work and where each earn at least N25,000 from real productive value, N1.25 trillion will be generated in the economy every month, a development capable of catapulting the country into a superpower within two decades.

    “I congratulate Nigerians and the people of Osun on this year’s independence anniversary and I call on us all to continue to work for the unity of this country.

    “Our strength lies in our unity.  We should therefore avoid anything that will destroy our unity and corporate existence.

    “I urge Nigerians to cultivate the habit of hard work and high productivity in order to create wealth, stimulate national prosperity and the growth of the economy.

    “We had experienced the best in crude oil dependency as we are currently living the worst of it. It is obvious now that a mono-economy based on crude oil can no longer sustain us and take us to where we should be as a country. Therefore, diversification and improved productivity should be the driving force to revamp our economy.

  • Akwa Ibom restates commitment to preserve history, culture

    THE Akwa Ibom government has reiterated its commitment to preserving the history and culture of the people of the state. Governor Udom Emmanuel, disclosed this on Monday at the Pictorial Exhibition to mark Akwa Ibom 30th anniversary celebration at the Ibibio Union Museum Park.

    The governor assured that the administration was open to strategic inputs and effective partnership that would enable the government to add value to the critical sector of the economy, even as it embarked on re-prioritizing the culture and tourism sub-sector.

    He noted that the exhibition sought to capture bold pictorial display and the story line of the states evolution as essence of a corporate entity. Represented by his deputy, Mr Moses Ekpo, the governor pointed out that in the last two years, concerted effort had been made to re-boot the activities of the museum to enable it play a major role in the centers of excellence in the culture and tourism sector. Emmanuel recalled that in June this year, the museum played host to the USOROUSO Arts Exhibition as expected to blossom into a big multi – dimensional project that would be involved in packaging mementoes and tourism items that would conceptually present the unique Akwa Ibom brand to the global community.

  • Dwindling reading culture

    The World Culture Score Index recently released the result of its survey on world’s reading countries in which Nigeria was adjudged as unreading. Appalling as it is, it is not surprising to any keen observer of our social milieu. What is surprising, however, is how it has to take a seemingly obscure organization to get our media frenzied about our retrogression in that respect despite similar revelations by our local researchers.

    A couple of years ago (May 15, 2013), Mahmood Jega, the inimitable Daily Trust columnist, did an interesting piece about a young boy who opted to hang himself than read his books when his parents insisted. That poor lad is just a microcosm of how deep is the anathema among particularly young Nigerians. As an instructor and bitter complainant of our miserable reading habit, I nearly go to war with my students to get them read a few excerpted pages from a book. By God, sometimes out of rage you feel like breaking down to tears. For, these students will rather watch football and movies than read a book. Yes. They will rather worship P-Square and Justin Bieber. Yes. They will rather swing and swagger on the street with their bushy hair and comical sunglasses. Yes. They will rather go on 2go, Facebook and WhatsApp than of course, read a book! Nothing can therefore be axiomatic than the adage: if you want hide something from, actually northern Nigerian youths, then put it in a book.

    Sometimes out of consternation, you find yourself asking: When will this region produce another Muhammad Bello? Who will be the Zungur or Yusuf Bala Usman of this generation? When Prof. Ibrahim Bello-Kano told us in the privacy of his office that he had so far read more than 6,000 books and was aiming for 10,000 before he dies, we were astounded. But I was completely shattered when I later discovered that Muhammad Bello had read more than 20,000 books under the tutelage of his father, Shehu. Similarly, Zungur, according to his biographer, jilted his wife, Marka, because of persistently prolonged stay in the library. While in A Life of Commitment to Knowledge, Freedom and Justice: Tributes to Yusuf Bala Usman, the daughter of the late scholar told us that her father was terribly sick and could barely recognize those around him, but ‘a few hours, he became much better, he became himself again, asking for books, that they should bring his books’.

    In both their online and offline political engagement, the youths boil with revolutionary fervour. They want to be seen as prime movers of change without, ironically, minding what it takes. How one can be another Shariati or Fanon without the equipment remains a mystery to me. When you read the biographies and autobiographies of our founding fathers, for example, you find out that they were all voracious readers – Sardauna, Balewa, Aminu Kano and co. Sardauna used to sleep for not more than four hours! He was either reading or politically strategizing. The Honourable Gentleman, on the other hand, was said to have read virtually all the books in their library at Katsina College. Perhaps that informed his eloquence. And his fictional Shehu Umar further vindicates his unquenchable thirst for knowledge. What do I have to say with regard to Aminu Kano? If Gumi could attest to someone’s commitment to learning, we can only say sadaqallahul azeem.

    To be fair, I think people down here are generally dis-informed about the fact reading can be a form of entertainment, something that can be done in leisurely hour; which consequently stimulates the mind and enlarges one’s worldview. But sadly enough, even students think about it largely in the ‘precipice’ of test or exam where they grudgingly swallow instructor’s notes and regurgitate it verbatim. For this, they’re handsomely rewarded notwithstanding the paucity of originality and diversity of sources. A pedagogy that favours rote-learning, according to the Brazilian educator, Paulo Freire, can only oppress rather than liberate the mind. The mind thus neither be creative nor critically reason. In a word, our educational system does not help matters in this regard. This probably explains our dismal performance in regional and international university rankings as well as repeatedly massive failures in Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations.

    Our public libraries aren’t better either, as they suffer aeon of neglect due to the cankerworm of corruption permeating not only the political stratum but the administration of public institutions. Hence attractive, up-to-date materials for academic and recreational purposes are sadly lacking.  However, the few classics of world’s literature available in such libraries, can be complemented with contemporary ones by personal efforts were we the reading type. For, despite precarious economic situation, people are still buying clothes, jewelries and other ornamentals. One therefore wonders why compromises are hardly made for the sake of books.

    Our upbringing may be another factor. Quite a lot of us didn’t have the privilege of growing up under such mummies as Chimamanda’s friend who ‘bribes’ her child with five cents for every page read. Nor did we have daddies like the one mentioned in Aaidh Al-Qarnee’s Don’t be Sad – a dad who would tell his child while returning from market, he should only rest before the shops of booksellers or newspaper vendors. We did not, again, have brothers like John Bright, a brother who would tell us that his greatest lamentation in the face of library shelves is that life is too short to allow him enjoy the treasures before him. Above all, we did grow up watching on TV, leaders like Abraham Lincoln, who ‘was devoted to verse (and) could repeat from memory whole pages of Burns and Byrons and Browning’.

     

    • Bukar wrote in from Gashua and can be reached at aabukar555@yahoo.com
  • Culture can drive revenue – NCAC

    Culture can drive revenue – NCAC

    Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, the Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture ( NCAC ), says culture is the new revenue driving sector which can serve as an alternative to the oil sector in Nigeria.

    Runsewe said this while speaking at the official opening of the 13th edition of Akwaaba Travel and Tourism Fair in Lagos on Sunday.

    Declaring the three-day event opened, the NCAC D-G maintained  that culture was a  viable alternative revenue generating sector that could help to boost the economy.

    “Nigeria is rich in cultural  content and has a lot to offer to international tourists.

    “Jollof rice is also part of our cultural brand that we can sell to the international world, ” he said.

    He said that Dubai was the next point of call where he would take Nigerian Commissioners and other government officials to see the tourism and cultural development in United Arab Emirates (UAE).

    “In 2014, I traveled with several Commissioners and tourism officials in Nigeria to South Africa to see tourism development in the country.

    “Nigeria can do better in our culture and tourism sector development than other Africa countries, ” he said.

    Runsewe, speaking on behalf of NCAC, drummed up support for Akwaaba Tourism Fair, promised to continually support such initiative in the country.

    “Dubai, South Africa and other tourism developing countries thrive due to their government support.

    “The Federal Government is ready to support any private sector initiative on tourism and culture development in Nigeria and internationally, ” he said.

    Mr Adewale Ashimi, the Permanent Secretary of Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, said that the government was happy that the event was being hosted in Lagos State.

    Ashimi said that the government would continually provide enabling environment for culture and tourism to thrive.

    He said that this year’s event was being hosted at the right time when the government was showing real commitment to tourism development in the state.

    “Lagos State Government will provide infrastructure that will enable tourism to thrive in the city.

    “Government will also continue its support of tourism initiative that will attract tourists into the state. Lagos State is safe for both local and international tourists, ” he said.

    Ashimi further said that the ministry would organise a city tour for local and international tourists/visitors that attended these year’s Akwaaba event.

    Earlier, Mr Ikechi Uko, the organiser of Akwaaba Travel and Tourism Fair, expressed his appreciation to the people that made the event successful.

    He said that the idea of the fair was to bring the world to Africa.

    “We need to do something for Africa in Africa. It is a means of creating proper product for west Africa brand.

    “Jollof rice is part of the brand that can be sold to international tourists,” he said.

    He said that Nigeria and Ghana would be competing in Jollof rice cooking and the best would be announced at the end of the event on Sept. 12.

    “It is not a competition like that but a means of showcasing to the world what West Africans have to offer, ” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the culinary event is aimed at promoting culinary tourism by showcasing the best of West Africa to an international audience.

    The tourism event will be hosting Chefs from Ghana, Gambia and Nigeria to compete for jollof rice challenge.

    These activities were created purposely to bring out the best in West Africa in terms of rice production and promoting the outlook of culinary tourism and local delicacies to foreigners, thereby promoting indigenous hospitality and style.

    The three-day event will also feature Travel 100 Women award as part of Akwaaba Women in Tourism initiative.

  • Celebrating culture sponsors  

    What will happen if they don’t do the festival?” It was a striking question.  On August 19, the day after the grand finale of the 2017 Osun-Osogbo Festival in the Osun-Osogbo Grove in Osun State, a small group of visitors who looked like foreigners stood at the riverside in the sacred grove with a local female guide who enthusiastically told the story of Osun, the water goddess represented by an attention-grabbing statue at the edge of the mystical river.  One of the fascinated visitors asked the guide the fascinating question I overheard.

    As I walked out of the sacred space, that question would not leave me alone. Indeed, the question followed me to my base in Lagos. The Osun-Osogbo Grove is the site of Nigeria’s star tourist attraction and the country’s pre-eminent traditional religious festival, which draws a high number of domestic and foreign tourists.  The sacred grove was listed as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2005.

    I became a pilgrim to the mystical grove right from my first visit as a journalist over two decades ago to see the spectacular festival. I had eagerly looked out for Susanne Wenger in the grove but didn’t see her. It was, therefore, a magical moment for me when I eventually came face to face with her in her Osogbo home on a different occasion while trying to get her to grant me an interview.  I found out, during my research for the interview, that there was no book on her written by a Nigerian, although she was a cultural celebrity and had at the time lived in Nigeria for nearly 50 years.  It was unbelievable! This was when the idea struck me to do a book on her.

    At the time I informed Wenger of my plan to write a book on her, she responded positively, saying, “I bless your work and your good intentions.” She was an engaging personality well known for her remarkable devotion to Yoruba traditional gods (which earned her the Yoruba name Adunni Olorisa as a mark of her acceptance in the traditional society). She was also famous for her innovative New Sacred Art group and for her selfless dedication to the preservation of the sacred Osun-Osogbo Grove, listed as a World Heritage Site shortly after her 90th birthday in 2005- this was an interesting coincidence and the icing on the cake for Wenger.

    Long before it became correct to be environment-friendly, Wenger had championed a crusade for the conservation of nature in the Osun-Osogbo Grove, albeit based on a religious premise and her conviction that deities dwelled there. It is to her credit that after her long battle with various interest groups that failed to see the need to guard the grove, the political authorities in Nigeria eventually saw her point and stepped in to protect it; and then, UNESCO followed.

    Wenger’s passing on January 12, 2009, at the age of 93, after nearly 60 years in the country, was as newsy as her life. Despite her exit, indeed, because of the sad occurrence, the book project remained on course. This unique well- researched Wenger portrait offers a fresh experience of her; it consists of an extensive up-to-date close-up profile of her, and exclusive interviews that I had with her, which not only explored her extraordinary life but also yielded further insights into her thoughts and ideas on Yoruba culture and tradition at the advanced stage of her life.

    It is enriched with expressive pictures of Wenger and some of her eye-catching sculptures in the grove; and other important images related to her gripping story. It is a modest way of paying a well- deserved tribute to a loyal vessel of Yoruba divinities (Olorisa); her legacy is undeniable. The book also beams the spotlight on the Osun-Osogbo Grove and the Osun-Osogbo Festival.

    For the first time, the captivating story of the phenomenal Austrian artist who became an unapologetic populariser of Yoruba traditional religion and attracted global attention to Osogbo, Osun State, South-West Nigeria, is presented from a Nigerian perspective and with a Nigerian flavour.

    The beauty of this book lies particularly in its liberal use of narratives by Nigerian journalists to paint a picture of this enigmatic celebrity known for her self-effacing modesty. It represents, therefore, a very Nigerian treatment of the subject. Furthermore, this is the most up-to-date book on the life and times of Susanne Wenger; it includes material on the celebration of her 100th birth anniversary in 2015 as well as the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Osun-Osogbo Grove as a World Heritage Site in the same year.

    Every year, in August the Osun-Osogbo Festival is celebrated “to appease the goddess of the river.”  The Chief Festival Administrator, Osun-Osogbo Festival, Otunba Ayo Olumoko, said in a statement: “We recognise and appreciate the support of all our sponsors, even though the recession and the parlous economy have forced many of them to withdraw their sponsorship of the Festival from 2015 to date. However, some of these sponsors are still loyal and faithful to accommodate the sponsorship of the Osun-Osogbo Festival. They still find it important to perform their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) towards Osogbo’s heritage by supporting the 2017 edition of the Osun-Osogbo Festival.”

    He continued: “These sponsors, who have enjoyed the exclusivity spot in their various industries as sponsors of the Festival, have been supporting us consistently over the years; hence on this note we want to express our profound appreciation to the following: 1) Nigerian Breweries PLC and the Goldberg Larger Beverage, 28 consistent years of sponsorship; 2) Mobile Network Telecommunications (MTN) Limited, GSM exclusive sponsor since 2005; 3) Grand Oak’s Seaman’s Schnapps White Spirit, supplication drink over 25 years consecutively; 4) Government of the State of Osun, precisely 13 years running; 5) The Osogbo Cultural Heritage (OCHC)  and the Osogbo Kingmakers, from cradle; 6) The Olokun Foundation, superintended by Otunba Gani Adams,  since 2001 till date.”

    These sponsors deserve to be celebrated for making the festival happen. They are culturally conscious and deserve to be commended for their services to culture.  Hopefully, these sponsors will support me as I prepare to launch my book.

    It is a reflection of the Osun State government’s cultural consciousness that it declared August 21 work free to commemorate ‘Isese Day’, which is also known as Traditional Worshipers Day.  The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Adelani Baderinwa, in a statement said that the holiday was to make it possible for adherents of traditional religion to celebrate. It is noteworthy that Yoruba religion is recognised by UNESCO which in 2005 added the Ifa Divination system to its list of “Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.”

  • Deepening our democratic culture

    It would not have been within the contemplation of any rational thinking Nigerian that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) could have continued to preside over the affairs of Nigeria in the build-up to the 2015 Presidential and Parliamentary elections.   The State had relapsed into  such confusion and lawlessness that any person from obscurity fielded by any political party with any measure of seriousness would have defeated the PDP candidate fair and square. It was a little wonder then that All Progressive Congress (APC) that was hurriedly tinkered together swept victory at the polls.  There was therefore great expectation that APC-led government was going to bring about noticeable change in all ramifications but that was not to be.

    Before the euphoria of victory ebbed, it became obvious that the APC could not manage its success and victory as it failed the first test over   the leadership of the National Assembly.  The party has still not recovered from those faltering steps.  From the beginning, individuals and groups within the party started acting out their personal and factional ambitions as against group interest.  This exposed the party as a coalition of strange bedfellows lacking in discipline and party loyalty without cohesion.  This further exposed the party as lacking a charismatic leadership that could husband personal ambitions without massaging the ego of any person.

    The members of the National Assembly have never hidden the fact by their acts and omission that they do not represent the yearning of the people that elected them to make laws for the good of the nation and the citizenry.  The quality of representation since inception of the 8th National Assembly has been an unmitigated disaster.  The reason is not unconnected with the quality and competence of members who do not have any ideological persuasion of altruistic act and understanding of democratic nuances. They are mere political jobbers and merchants who see their position as employment to earn a living above everyone else.

    Anything that appears to conflict with their personal interest, pay and allowances are perceived as feud against the National Assembly as an organ of government.  They also see the National Assembly as a seal of authority and immunity for acts of malfeasance by individual members.  Rather than engage the Federal Executive Council to deliver on key democratic dividends like creating jobs, improving on infrastructure like road and electricity, they are fighting for Principal Officers of the National Assembly to become members of National Council of State.  The 8th assembly has become only self-serving and self-protective to the annoyance of right thinking members of the public as shown when the leadership of the Senate in a derogatory manner insinuated that the move to recall a certain senator would not see the light of day before the House.

    The histrionics of our lawmakers came to a level of absurdity when the acting President sent some nominees for confirmation.  The colour and temper of members of the Senate came to the fore when one of them rose up on a point of order that the Federal Executive Council having refused to drop the name of Ibrahim Magu as the chair of EFCC having been rejected by the Senate should not consider further screening of nominees from the executive. The same element went further that indeed, any person summoned by the EFCC should not honour such invitation.  That was a lawmaker; infantile and puerile to the ovation of his colleagues to our misfortune as giants of Africa.

    The President and indeed the Federal Executive Council may have given the jesters in the National Assembly ammunition in the manner it has gone about the Magu’s nomination and confirmation brouhaha.  The problem of APC started when the President preferred a kitchen cabinet without reflection as to national unity and the demand of the time.   It is no wonder therefore that even agencies of government and extra-ministerial departments and their leadership are not on the same page with their principal.  This is the reason why the Directorate of State Services acted like a parallel government and could not compare or share note with the Presidency before writing to the Senate indicting the President’s nominee for an office.  If the party and indeed the government is sure-footed, all the individuals involved in such act of sabotage should have been shown the way out.

    I am not sure we are looking for a saint in the chair of the EFCC but I know we need someone with tolerable baggage that can reinvigorate the fight against corruption. Like many other issues before it, the National Assembly has acted in a manner to show personal interest in the confirmation drama of Magu; period.

    The situation in Nigeria to a keen observer is worrisome; whether it is the economy and purchasing power of the people or security.  This is not to mention statistics of unemployment and decrepit infrastructure that is collapsing on our heads as we watch helplessly while we are fed with propaganda that is in contradistinction to the reality on ground. In the face of the challenging situations and struggle to eke out a living, our elected representatives are fighting over huge allowances and budget to buy SUV in this biting recession that refuses to go away.   If we are able to get to 2019, it is going to be a greater dilemma as the electorate still find it difficult to make their votes count; no thanks to electoral manipulation and violence by the gladiators.  The task facing Nigerian today is our inability to zero on the National Assembly and make demand on deliverance of democratic dividend.  I am yet to see one distinguished honourable member of the National Assembly that has displayed the temper and candour of a statesman in words and in deed that would help deepen our democratic culture.  The people should wake up and take up their gauntlet and begin to set agenda for 2019.

     

    • Kebonkwu Esq writes from Abuja.
  • Ooni drums support for tradition, culture

    Ooni drums support for tradition, culture

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi,Ojaja 11, has described the newly-appointed Cultural Ambassador of the National Museum, Ile-Ife, Oloye ‘Lekan Alabi, as a worthy promoter of Yoruba tradition and culture.

    Oba Ogunwusi gave the commendation on Sunday in his palace, while decorating Oloye Alabi with his insignia of office. He said he was not surprised by Alabi’s appointment because he (Oloye Alabi) had built a remarkable reputation over the years as a committed practitioner and promoter of culture, values and etiquette.

    The Ooni said for Alabi to have successfully and successively served four former governors of old Oyo State as Press Secretary (the late Chief ‘Bola Ife, retired Maj-Gen Oladayo Popoola, retired Brig-Gen Adetunji  Olurin and the late Brig-Gen Sasaenia Oresanya) from 1983 to 1989, speaks volume about Alabi’s professionalism, loyalty, integrity and popularity.

    Oba Ogunwusi added that Alabi’s appointment as Cultural Ambassador  did not come as a surprise to him and other paramount rulers in Yoruba land, if the  fact that Alabi is a trustee of the D.O. Fagunwa Foundation, Yusuf Olatunji Foundation, Duro Ladipo Foundation, Adekunle Fajuyi Foundation and Chairman, Adegoke Adelabu Foundation, among others, is taken into consideration.

    The Ooni, however, called on Nigerians not to abandon the promotion of their time-honoured traditions and cultures to enthusiasts such as Alabi, but to also join in the task of teaching and encouraging indigenous cultures such as mother-tongues, foods, music, dresses and others.

    In his acceptance speech, Alabi thanked the Ooni for accepting to host his investiture and presentation of the insignia of office.

    He promised not to relent in his long-time commitment to the promotion of Yoruba and other Nigerian traditions and cultures, buttressing the Ooni’s call for all to embrace our valued culture.

    Alabi’s investiture was attended by representatives of Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State and Governor Rauf Aregbesola of the Osun State, Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa and Ebira traditional rulers, academicians and artistes, among others.

    They all endorsed Alabi’s appointment, describing him as lover of culture and bridge-builder.

     

  • Foundation begins talent hunt to promote reading culture

    TOMA Foundation has begun a talent hunt for its literary/poetry show.

    According to the organiser, the show is tagged: ‘Wake up the giant, Edo youths got talent Season 1″.

    Its Founder Mrs Stella Ebuetse, said the hunt, which is being conjunction with the state Ministry of Education, is to promote reading culture among pupils.

    Speaking at the auditioning of participants in Auchi in Etsako West Local Government, Mrs Ebuetse said the exercise is restricted to participants between 11 and 18.

    ‘’The show is aimed at boosting pupils’ confidence in communication and delivery skills,’’ she added.

    She added that the show is meant to awake among pupils a sense of pride in the nation’s culture and urged youths that activities on education could be favourably rewarded beyond beauty contest, music and dance.

    Mrs Ebuetse said 10 pupils would be picked from each senatorial district to contest at the final stage in Benin, the state capital, where three pupils would be picked to represent the state at the regional level in September.

    She said: “The audition is open to   both public and private secondary schools. The first stage, which is the screening/audition, will take place in three zones and 10 each will be  selected from the zones.

    “The 30 contestants will be camped for two weeks in Benin during this period. They will receive the best professional training from seasoned literary gurus in speech delivery, tips in writing short story and poetry composition.

    “There will be daily tasks on poetry recitation and compositions and elimination of various stages of presentation,” she said.

    “There is no doubt that reading culture is dead among our youths. Literary activities and exercise are abhorred among pupils.

    “As an English/Literature teacher for almost 30 years, the dwindling number of pupils offering literature is heart breaking.”

  • Evolving indigenous greeting culture

    SIR: There are values Africans hold on to quite strongly, that people who are considered to be of “Advanced Civilisation” rarely concern themselves with. One of which, is the slightly weird nature of our indigenous greeting culture.

    Greeting is a traditional African trait. In a stiff cultural environment like the African society where one’s character is constantly being examined, greeting can brighten one’s chances of making a good first impression. To the elderly, greeting plays a role in evaluating one’s level of morals. It also creates the opportunity of discerning in a few seconds, the quality of a child’s parental upbringing. In fact, greeting is non-negotiable in Africa!

    Having pictured the great value attached to greeting, in what way do Africans seem to go overboard with it?

    Occasionally, I get troubled with the feeling that the greeting culture in many parts of Africa (especially in reverence to elders and those we hold in high esteem or consider superior), still suffers the rub-off effect of colonialism.  Although, culture varies across the continent, we’re unified in a way as regards our approach to elders, religious leaders and other prominent individuals. Greeting an elderly or influential person in Africa, is more on the side of showing honour than exchanging pleasantries. As a result, it isn’t complete without bowing, kneeling, squatting, prostrating, receiving a handshake with both hands, etc. (depending on the varying cultures).

    I get terrified when I happen to watch the exchange of pleasantries when an African football team engages a foreign opponent during the first game or finals of an international tournament. As is customary, the president of the world football’s governing body (FIFA) is obliged to share a warm handshake with the players either before kick-off (if it were the first game of the tournament), or at the end of a final when the players take a walk to collect their medals. While the foreigners receive the handshake with one hand, some of the African players proceed to receive theirs with both hands and sometimes, even compliment it with a bow. Wow!

    In some African traditions (notable among the Zambians), men are not allowed to shake hands with their mother-in-laws. The women likewise, avoid a handshake from their father-in-laws. If the elders are seated, one must kneel with at least one knee touching the ground when shaking hands. If at a distance, one may touch the chest and bow slightly.

    “I have on several occasions in the middle of Lusaka, seen men kneeling across the road from their mother-in-laws, also kneeling and clapping, asking each other how the family is doing while avoiding eye contact” said Ziggi, a Zambian friend of mine.

    In Nigeria (famous with the Yoruba tribe), some males still prostrate on the bare floor as an acceptable way of showing respect to elders. A “well-behaved” male child is one who greets an elder by lying on the ground until permitted to get up. Of course, getting up too soon ridicules your home training!

    Over the years, this cultural ideology has transitioned into religion. To certain people, kneeling before a religious leader who’s presumably “standing in the presence of God” seem to be the quickest remedy for answered prayers. Hence, some people tend to relate casually with God, but revere preachers. Some other Christian may prefer to say a quick tacky prayer in bed in hopes of kneeling before a preacher for “special prayers”.

    These are a few of the many absurd practices we’ve absorbed into our daily lifestyle as demanded by our indigenous greeting cultures.

    These practices may have served whatever purpose they were established for at an earlier time, but I think they’ve outlived their usefulness! Greeting is intended to be an exchange of polite friendly gestures, and not pseudo-worship of elders or “Important People” (many of which won’t have the decency to resist).

     

    • Nimi Princewill,

    princewill.nimi@yahoo.com