BY PRISCA SAM-DURU

We believe  in the use  of our culture to address issues that have left us divided, and because our prosperity as individuals and country lies in the values that we inculcate in our children, issues relating to the appreciation and respect for our cultural diversity and other values such as ethnic and religious tolerance are best inculcated in children when they are young”.

Those were the words of the Director General of Centre for Black Arts And Civilization (CBAAC), Prof Tunde Babawale which heralded several exhilarating performances by school children at the CBAAC annual Children’s festival held last week at the National Stadium, Lagos.

The festival with theme, “Beauty in Our Diversity:Celebrating Creativity”, had in attendance dignitaries such as John Ufot, Director of Culture who represented Minister for Culture, Chief Eden Duke; Artistic Director of  National Troupe of Nigeria, Martin Adaji; Senior Cultural Affairs officer of the US Consulate, Bene Uche;  US Public Diplomacy Officer, Rhonda Watson and Chief Oprah Benson the ‘yeye oge’ of Lagos who chaired the occasion.

Schools in attendance were New Era School, Holy Child College, Fidel Madonna College of Excellence, Nigerian Navy College,  Rolex Comprehensive College, Awodiora secondary school, YABATECH Staff College, Unique High School, Mbari Mbayo Secondary School,  Nigerian Navy Secondary School,  Solid Rock School and  Ewutuntun Senior Grammar School.

The festival kick-started with an opening music by Jimi Solanke’s band which was followed by a performance by legendary theatre group. Their performances lighted the entire main exhibition hall of the National Theartre and set the stage for excellent performances by the competing schools.

Fidel Madonna College of excellence performing at the festival. Photo: Prisca Sam-Duru

In line with the festival theme, “Beauty in Our Diversity:Celebrating Creativity”, both the Art exhibition and cultural dance competition had all the competing schools, showcase diverse cultural outfits, dance, songs and different forms of  the people’s identity during coronations and marriages.

Ewutuntun Secondary School opened the floor with their performance which represented the cultures of the Yoruba people. It was an amazing display of exquisite dance with the combination of acrobatic displays which blew the minds of the audience. And just when the audience thought they had seen the best of the festival, Fidel Madonna College of Excellence stormed the stage with a colourful dance drama entitled,” The Coronation of the Oba of Benin”. Their coordination and synchronization perfectly interpreted the title of their performance which was more than wonderful and to crown it all, they looked radiant in their glamorous traditional costumes which added to the ambience of the celebration.

At the end of the competition, it was  Rolex Comprehensive College that carried the day while Fidel Madonna College of Excellence and Ewutuntun Senior Grammar School came second and third respectively.

The Art exhibition which featured paintings, drawings in  diverse media had  Nigerian Navy Secondary School emerge winner, while Solid Rock School  and Stadium Secondary School took  second and third positions respectively.