By Japhet Alakam

DESPITE the state of insecurity in the country, events in and around the country reveals that  Nigerians are fun loving people and this they demonstrated last Monday when they trouped out en mass to the Cinema Hall 2 of the National theatre for the much advertised special Easter Chorale performance tagged Peace and Unity.

The chorale performance which was put together by the National Troupe of Nigeria, (NTN) a body responsible for showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Nigeria through dance, music and drama was according to Martins Adaji, the Artistic Director of the NTN  aimed at preaching peace at this trying time of the country through music.

* National Troupe chorale group performing at the event

“No other time than now that we need peace and unity than this time. We do not want the nation to remain solemn and that is why we are keying into  the Presidents transformation agenda to put the nation as one. The country remains unshakable so we should dwell much on the things that bind us together than those things that divide us.”

As early as 3.00, people were already seated in the hall and when the event actually kicked off around 4.00 the entire hall was filled to the brim and even as the event was been rounded up, many people were still entering into the hall, an indication that they were actually interested in such things that bring people together than the war, kidnapping, killings, bombings and others that divide the country.

Divided into three segments, after the few remarks by the Artistic director, the National troupe chorale group led by Dapo Omidiyi mounted the stage for the first presentation. Dressed in white top and black trousers with solemn voice, the group sang and performed many songs that harped on peace. It includes such songs like, Lay down your sword and shield down by the river side; I lekam, me I like country, everything dey for Nigeria, mak we join hands …… to make Nigeria better. It was indeed a very modest way of preaching peace through song.

One unique thing about the first presentation was the fact that the same group that jump , dance and roll on the ground during drama were quite and solemn like angels with their voices dishing out some melodious tones that made one who had not been to church before to remember the choristers of the local churches.

In the second segment, the group came out with traditional wears representing the various tribes in Nigeria like Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba, Niger Delta and the conductor with a shining long Niger Delta attire with a hat led the group as they rendered many songs in Hausa and Yoruba, like Babalawo m, obe le wa, Yari ya yee… etc and this time it was performed with dance and the audience responded with a loud ovation.

Loud ovation

After that the lead singer came with his songs and followed by three young men that choreographed it before others finally joined them as they rendered many songs that celebrates the mothers for their great role in the family.

Finally, they came out

again with their Nigerian attires and rendered some known songs that celebrates the unity and rich cultural heritage of the country like Nigeria Ikwo wa, Nigeria na we own; For a better Nigeria, united we stand and other songs that celebrates the unity of the country. And they rounded it up with some old tunes like If you want to marry  taxi driver; Sisi eko; Onidodo oni maimai and the audience joined them as they danced in celebration of one Nigeria.

It was indeed an evening of great songs rendered in such a special way that made many pray for peace of the country as it is only in a peaceful environment that such things can take place. And credit must be given the National Troupe of Nigeria for providing such opportunity for Nigerians to celebrate and enjoy themselves while reflecting on the importance of peace especially at this period.