A drum festival getting better, but…

It was about 12.55pm, a group – consisting of males and females numbering about 20, had just had breakfast. They were walking in very low spirits, back to the Olumo Rock venue of the Conference, Workshop and Exhibition on the second day of the Festival Of African Drums. The quest for an interview prompted the […]

It was about 12.55pm, a group – consisting of males and females numbering about 20, had just had breakfast. They were walking in very low spirits, back to the Olumo Rock venue of the Conference, Workshop and Exhibition on the second day of the Festival Of African Drums.

The quest for an interview prompted the reporter to approach them. But they were foreigners, from neighbouring West African country, Togo. Poor communication almost marred the approach between the French-speaking group and the reporter, but quickly one pointed backwards at their boss. 

Franklin Senou is the Artistic Director of Compagnie Artistic “Toffoodji”, and with his little understanding of English, he was able to tell Daily Trust that all was not well, as far as his entourage was concerned, with the third edition of the Festival Of African Drums, which ends onight in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

In trying to explain the kind of shabby treatment they got from the organizers of the event, Senou said in faltering English, “Look, we got poor reception. Last year was good, but catering is not good.” 

On what actually went wrong, the lanky artist replied, “Organization. In our place, we take care of visitors more than our people but here they take care of their people to the detriment of the visitors. We are all one; Africans. We love the festival that is why we came again this year. But, we want them to change in their reception for us,” Senou said.  

Apart from this not-too-pleasing scenario, the last two days of this innovative festival has again showed the great zeal of the Ogun State government to draw from far and near, drummers and performing artists to display their potentials, which in the long run attempts to celebrate and project African culture.

As early as 2.00pm on Thursday, guests, visitors and participating troupes from different parts of the country started converging on what has become the traditional venue of the festival, located behind the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto.

By 5.00pm, it was underway, with the troupe from Kwara State performing first. It was followed by Kastina, Eni Afe troupe from Ogun and the Footprints of David from Bariga, Lagos State.

The state’s Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Bashorun Muyiwa Oladipo, formally welcomed guests and visitors to the ceremony, which he declared had come to stay. He appreciated the state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, for driving the initiative three years ago. “Basically, it is meant to revive our culture and to God be the glory, all we have to say is thank you, God. In 2016, it was good, in 2017 it was better and in the 2018, we are giving the best,” he stated.

The razzmatazz continued with more participating troupes from Plateau, Akwa Ibom, and Oyo states thrilling audiences to modern drum beats.

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, in a goodwill message appreciated the infrastructural development across the state. He added that the festival would further promote commercial activities in the state, urging the people to protect and prevent the indigenous culture and traditions from going into extinction. 

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi  Adeyemi, urged those aspiring to govern the state to preserve the legacy of Amosun, noting that culture is an instrument that motivates and inspires people to attain greater heights. 

 In his own goodwill message, the Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon, appreciated the people of Ogun State for supporting the governor, adding that culture has been an ancient institution used in uniting the people, while imploring other governors to also participate in the cultural event. He assured that similar cultural exposition would come up soon in the South-South region of the country.

Noble Laureate and the 2018 Festival Consultant, Prof. Wole Soyinka, appreciated Governor Amosun’s efforts at building the state and developing its cultural values, urging the people to continue to respect and preserve the cultural values of the state. 

The state government also got kudos from the federal government as the Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Alh. Lai Muhammed said the festival has become a pride of the nation and Africa at large, hence the decision of the government to embrace it as one of the country’s festivals. He assured that the federal government would continue to identify and support Ogun State to revive the rich cultural heritage of the continent. 

“As a government, we will continue to support the festival by creating more awareness about it within the country and at the international communities. More importantly, we will also ensure that it will be included in the nation’s calendar,” the minister said. 

Mohammed expressed delight that the festival has not only exposed the cultural potentials of the country, but also provided job opportunities for the people, saying the festival was in line with the programmes and objectives of the Federal Government in re-positioning and diversifying the nation’s economy.

In his opening remark, Amosun appreciated the Federal Government for associating with the state and its decision to support the festival, reiterating that his administration would continue to encourage private partnership, in order to take the festival to a greater height.

On the importance of the festival, Governor Amosun said the Drum Festival was the state’s contribution to Africa’s social cultural drive, adding that drums have not only been  tools and sources of communication, but also veritable means of entertaining and educating the people. 

The host governor reaffirmed that the festival would showcase the rich African culture to the world, as it would highlight the cultural skills of troupes from Nigeria and across Africa, saying, next year’s edition would be richer in content and innovation. 

The trio of Kehinde Soaga, Jendele Hungbo and a cleric, Prophet Solomon Olayiwola spoke on the importance of the festival, which they all agreed will remove the shackles of Europeans on Africans, as far as cultural expositions are concerned.