…How an Abuja school celebrated Nigeria’s independence anniversary using culture to project national unity at a time of ethnic discord

By Joseph Erunke

THEY  come together every day to learn whenever their school is in session. And each time they are in school, wearing the school uniform, they see themselves as people joined together with the common goal of acquiring the good education in one of Abuja’s most esteemed schools.

School children during the national day event

However, September 30, 2017, was another day when the children went back to their roots to showcase the heritage of their parents during activities to mark the country’s 57th Independence Anniversary.

The event was also an opportunity for the school to promote to the general public the vision by its founders of promoting cultural heritage under the wings of a well balanced academic environment.

The Cultural Day was also deemed necessary for children of the school to see the need for unity in spite of the diversity of the country. And this was what the celebration of the country’s independence anniversary by Brickhall School was set to achieve.

The colourful ceremony saw the children of the primary and secondary school sections display the cultural heritage the African continent had been known for.

The cultural day celebration specifically dedicated to the country’s 57th Independence Anniversary was entitled: Heritage Day, Nigeria at 57: The Future Belongs To Those Who Believe In The Future Of Their Dreams.”

With their colourful beads, beautiful ear-rings and trendy, traditional attires, children from various geo-political zones were allowed to express themselves in dance, songs and other activities associated with varied cultures in the country.

Also, the pupils’ different presentations such as riddles; quiz; folk tales; mock election among others, were projected to show the uniqueness in different cultures of the country.

Different food preparations from different geopolitical zones of the country were served to visitors by the parents and organisers of the event.

The languages and the cultures the children transmitted at the event were, however, not barriers but bridges of understanding and cooperation across their respective frontiers which differentiates them as entities sometimes referred to as “ethnic nationalities.”

The event on September 30 at the school premises, located at Plot 1122 Cadastral Zone, opposite Games Village Estate Main Entrance Gate, Abuja, was indeed an exceptional cultural day, when pupils, parents, teachers, and visitors gathered to experience and enjoy the exciting display of cultural activities.

Speaking to  Sunday Vanguard at the occasion, the Executive Director of Brickhall School, Barrister (Mrs) Nneka Emodi-Eze, said the event was held not just to identify with Nigeria with Nigeria’s 57th Independence Anniversary, but also to allow the children showcase their cultural identities.

Brickhall School was founded in August 2015 by Senator Joy Emodi, who served her constituency of Anambra North in the 5th and 6th Senate before becoming the Special Adviser on National Assembly Matters to President Goodluck Jonathan.