When culture enthusiasts celebrate Nigeria, China

It was a gathering of culture and creative big wigs in the private sector, academia, government, the diplomatic corps and Abuja residents in commemoration of Nigeria’s Independence anniversary and China’s National Day.   Abuja’s newest creative hub, Heritage Africa Village Square (HAvis) was agog with actives in commemoration of Nigeria’s 58th Independence anniversary, celebrated with […]

It was a gathering of culture and creative big wigs in the private sector, academia, government, the diplomatic corps and Abuja residents in commemoration of Nigeria’s Independence anniversary and China’s National Day.

 

Abuja’s newest creative hub, Heritage Africa Village Square (HAvis) was agog with actives in commemoration of Nigeria’s 58th Independence anniversary, celebrated with the National Day of the People’s Republic of China, which both fall on October 1.

The fête was a deviation from the norm in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, of celebrating such a day in parks and gardens or cinemas.

It featured diverse activities including a scholarly discourse, book exhibition, music, poetry, fashion parade, dance and cultural displays from Abuja-based troupes, children and performers from Benue State and beyond.

The nucleus around which all these took place was the exhibition of over 100 works of Nigeria’s adire queen, Chief Nike Okundaye and 22 other artists in the Nike Art Gallery collection.

The focus of the event which was to share cultural legacies and humanity of the two giant countries in Africa and Asia.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Culture and National Orientation, Ms. Grace Gekpe, commended the initiative taken by HAvis to provide Nigerians especially Abuja residents a one stop culture and creativity hub, with all inclusive facilities to cater to various interests in the arts.

Gekpe, a Theatre Arts graduate, in appreciation of the step taken by a private individual to boost the sector, and ensure that creative enthusiasts had such a space, said government would reciprocate by extending all the support within its powers to ensure the project succeeds and is sustained.

In his speech HAvis Creative Director, Mr. Mose Ayom described culture and creativity as having the power to change Nigeria’s narrative as a country.

He said, “No other sector stands a better chance to lead the country and continents towards achieving the goals for diversification, than the culture sector.

Ayom, encouraged Nigerians to stop agonising but to rather start organizing, to make culture and creativity the centre piece of the country’ national rebirth, socially and economically.

Speaking on the event, Cultural Counselor, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Nigeria and Director, Chinese Cultural Centre, Mr. Li Xuda, who said, although Nigeria and China share the same independence it was his first time witnessing the celebration in Nigeria.

“But at the embassy, we always have your people during our celebration to enjoy our culture and also, join your people in their celebration to enjoy your culture,” he said.

On things both countries share in common, he said, “Through the years, we have had opportunities to put our cultures together. Nigeria and China have made progress in terms of development and we share a lot of things in common and have same value. Culturally, each year, we have many opportunities to organize many cultural events together and learn and promote each other’s culture.”

Li who said he was surprised on his first visit to HAvis, described it as a well-put together arena where both countries could come together to use the place to celebrate their unity, as their relationship is becoming more resourceful, especially through the intervention of culture workers.

The foundation for this was laid in June, 2018 when HAvis signed a tripartite memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Institute of African Studies at Zhejiang Normal University, China, to commence a Chinese-Nigeria Cultural Research Centre, and at the University of Abuja. This is with an aim to explore how both countries through the study of language and cultural resources can develop closer ties, especially with youths’ training and manpower development.

A scholarly discourse, ‘Nigeria-China cultural exchange in the realms of creativity, economy and geo-politics’ took the event a notch higher as dons including HAvis board chair, Prof. Duro Oni, Prof Ukertor Gabriel Moti and Prof Okpe Okpe brainstormed at the session chaired by HAvis Advisory Board Chair, Prof. David Ker, who said, HAvis’ collaboration with the Chinese Mission would most benefit Nigeria’s youths.

Oni, in his keynote address, said China’s current hold in the global political sphere is very influential and it is therefore important to understand how it has thrived, reaching out, using culture.

The former Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos and founding director of the Confucius Institute, the University, recalled that Chinese adopted the thoughts of the ancient philosopher, Confucius to shape various aspects of its national life, including economic planning and international relations.

While many institutes around the world are engaging with their host communities on various fonts to foster cooperation and interaction, Oni said of the many in Africa, Nigeria had two which were bringing to the fore, unique nuggets of Chinese thoughts to their hosts, without creating any sense of superiority in the interaction process.

Okundaye, known for her youth and women empowering projects in the tie-dye business, urged the Chinese government to work with Nigerian experts to develop a programme centred on local production of dyes, as the prices are constantly skyrocketing and discouraging the young people from venturing into the business.

Guests cooled off with performances at the 1000-seater amphitheatre Arojah Royal Theatre’s Seun Adekoya and Israel Udochukwu. Abuja-based artiste, Cef also entertained as the audience also enjoyed chorale music.