BY PRISCA   SAM – DURU

The traditional dances, dance dramas, choreography and other activities that featured during the graduation/Price Giving Day held in honour of the Nursery 2 and Basic 5 pupils of the Cyndees International school, Gberigbe, Ikorodu Lagos, last Saturday, spoke eloquently of the school’s vision of raising a total child.

The atmosphere was moody throughout the duration of the event and the frowning sky intermittently, let down showers that got the school authorities worried. But trust children for who they are, not only did they perform as though they were in a theatre hall, they were unconcerned about the weather and so, remained excited all through.

It was fun and interesting, listening to the pupils render songs in indigenous languages which they obviously do not use at home.

The yoruba traditional dances which were executed to the rhythm  of electrifying drum beats, had pupils appearing in colourful aso oke costumes and dazzing the audience. They danced and sang some tunes taking from the yoruba folklore. Aside the acrobatic displays  introduced in the middle of their presentation, most interesting was the drama within the dance. It tells the story of a young man who is in search of a wife. An occasion which is a dance festival, presents itself and he gets the opportunity to select the best dancer out of numerous maidens.  He ends up rejecting every maiden, on grounds that they are poor dancers, leaving the smallest. Eventually, the little maiden among them, takes the day and is married to the young man.

In what looked like a dance competition, the Igbo dancers tookc the centre stage and wowed the crowd with popular tunes from Igbo folktales. Their dance steps were scintillating and to add to that, the use of a large clay pot which was deliberately shattered during the dance, made their performance as real as it should be. They received loud applause as well as encouragement from their parents and other guests.

The Muslim pupils followed suit. They performed what was titled Muslim presentation/choreography  which centered on the past month of Ramadan.

The welcome songs and presentations by the nursery classes which preceded the traditional dances also, elicited a lot of laughter from the audience.

While congratulating the graduands, the proprietress of the school, Mrs Patricia Asikogu who spoke out of excitement stemming from the performances, noted that the school was “Established with the core value of service to the community and development of the total child stressing that her school has high esteem for determination with hardwork which produces success both in academics and extra curricula activities. “This is what brought the school to the enviable position it enjoys today and inspite of the deteriorating standard of education in Nigeria, Cyndees is committed to providing excellent and qualitative service to children in a friendly environment.” She said.

A lot Asikogu noted, “Has been inculcated into the young graduands. Inculcating in children the habit of reading their books and the attitude of working hard will deter students from involving in examination malpractice and other vices.”

Highlights of the occasion were issuance of gifts, certificates to the graduands and outstanding pupils in various categories as well as the opening of the Cyndees International College.