When corps members celebrated Nigerian arts and culture
The three day event drew a number of dignitaries including ministers of the federation, service chiefs and a large number of corps members from different states of the federation. Declaring the event open, Minister of Youth Development, Senator Akinlabi Olasunkanmi expressed delight at the show put on by the corps members at the opening ceremony […]
The three day event drew a number of dignitaries including ministers of the federation, service chiefs and a large number of corps members from different states of the federation.
Declaring the event open, Minister of Youth Development, Senator Akinlabi Olasunkanmi expressed delight at the show put on by the corps members at the opening ceremony and urged them to appreciate their cultures as well as that of others in order to promote national integration. “It is hoped that beyond participation and winning, the festival will foster the bond of national unity, not only among participants but also with their host communities,” said the minister, who was represented by the Director General, Youth Education and Development, Hajiya Rabi Jimeta.
The participants, who represented their host states, displayed Nigeria’s rich culture, strutted and danced around Eagle Square in the traditional attires of their host states, much to the delight of spectators.
“It is amazing how this young men and women could come out and do this. Initially I thought they were from these states until I realise they are only serving there,” said a delighted Mallam Yusuf Dangana, a spectator. “They have learnt the cultures of their host states so well and are representing them fully,” he concluded.
At the festival’s maiden arts exhibition and contest held at the Cyprian Ekwensi Cultural Centre at Area 10, the corps members exhibited art works in different media – metal fabrication, mixed media, oil and acrylic paintings on canvass, all depicting life in their various states of postings and the nation in general.
Most of the art works were of commendable quality, despite being done by very young Nigerians as the Minister of Information and Communications, Professor Dora Akunyili observed. “These works can be displayed anywhere in the world,” she enthused proudly.
That youths have embraced arts and culture to display pride in their nation was, for her, another avenue to rebrand Nigeria. “We need to bring back those old cultural values that make us who we are. We need to believe in ourselves so we can effectively tell our story ourselves. The problem is that for long, we have allowed others to tell our story,” she said.
There was no shortage of belief in the displays of these youths. Most of their dance, drama and arts portrayed optimism, unblemished by the harsh realities of life, such as only youths could have. They danced with smiles on their faces and a spring in their steps. Their brush strokes were strong, delicate, undiminished.
Other events held at the NYSC orientation Camp in Kubwa where the youths vied for honours, striving to outdo one another in dance and drama. The thirteen states at the Abuja event where regional winners from different parts of the country. But for many spectators, they were all winners for having seamlessly adopted other Nigerian cultures and displaying them proudly.
No surprise a visibly impressed Prof. Akunyili insisted that President Umaru Yar’adua must hear of the youths’ exploits. She lauded General Yakubu Gowon for establishing the NYSC scheme saying he had written his name in gold.
But for some of the participants, the festival held other benefits. One of them was Ezinwa Ikene Chukwu, originally from Anambra state presently serving in the FCT. “It means a whole lot to me. It is a way of encouraging our cultural heritage because since westernization came in, our cultures have been going down the drain but thanks to events like this, it means we will always have a culture to fall back on,” he said, stroking the Gbagyi attire he was decked in.