By BENJAMIN NJOKU
Last Sunday, at the prestigious Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, lovers of arts and entertainment in Nigeria had another wonderful opportunity to savour the unique songs and rhythmic dances performed by the energetic cast of the South African’s Umoja dance troupe.

Some six years ago(2006), Umoja was on a two-week tour of Lagos.The troupe returned to Lagos, this year, at the instance of First Bank of Nigeria Plc.

For FirstBank, staging of Umoja reinforces its  commitment towards promoting both the arts and entertainment segments in the country.

Expectedly, the Expo Hall of Eko Hotels and Suites, provided the needful glamour and ambiance for the guests, who thronged the venue in hundreds to be part of the historic performance.

Umoja, in Zulu language, is said to be ‘spirit of togetherness’, hence, First Bank of Nigeria Plc., which sponsored the event, succeeded in rallying the bulk of corporate Nigerians, celebrities, a sizeable group of the Diplomatic Corps and journalists to be part of the show.

The award-winning show was received in Lagos with high expectations as many Nigerians procured tickets in advance, following aggressive publicity, which the sponsors accorded it. The promotion ostensibly triggered a renewed passion for a great stage show, particularly as a popular production as Umoja was coming to Nigeria for the second time from South Africa.

The vibrant female dancers  and their male counterparts  left the audience in awe, excitement  and jubilation all through. Their unique dance steps, body movements, acrobatic displays, uniformity and seamless presentation and interpretation of diverse messages of love, peace and oneness among humanity were just unimaginable.

Speaking at the event, the Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications, First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Folake Ani-Mumuney, said, “we are delighted at the huge attendance  that was recorded at both the Matinee performance that held in the afternoon and the evening Command performance. We are very glad at the quality of guests at these performances.

“ It is also heart-warming to see the positive reactions of the audience to the Umoja dance performance. Particularly,  the closeness that these shows have made possible among peoples of diverse ethnic nationalities and cultures sitting side by side gladdens us at FirstBank.”

Ani-Mumuney added that staging Umoja has again reassured the people of the correctness of the bank’s conviction in establishing First@Arts, an internal initiative  that seeks to employ arts and entertainment as a vehicle to promote tourism in Nigeria.

“Our brand remains totally committed to seeking creative ways to advance the cause of Nigeria’s economic development and the growth of a non-oil contributor to the  nation’s GDP such as the tourism sector”, she said.

It would be recalled that First Bank of Nigeria has provided support for the advancement of African cultural heritage through the provision of N150 million for the Cross River State Carnival Calabar, N15 million for the Royal Durbar Event of the Abuja Carnival, N8.6 million for the Maiden edition of Omen’Igbo, a Pan-Igbo Tourism and Cultural Fiesta, N5 million for the construction of the Owa-Obokun Palace, and N2.5 million for Iloko-Ijesha Town Hall Youth Development Centre. The Bank also provided support to the Zuma Film Festival, the Otuide Cultural/Musical Fiesta, the

EEBI Epe Festival 2009, the University of Lagos Afri-Caribbean Festival and the Cultural Week of St. Gregory’s College, Ikoyi, all in the noble bid to promote Nigerian and African-orientated cultural heritage.