It was a gathering of culture and arts loving people of Niger State and Nigerians, who converged at the Main Auditorium of U.K. Bello Arts Complex, Minna, to entertain and learn for themselves more about various languages in Niger State.
The event, which was organized by Niger State Council for Arts and Culture (NICAC) on Wednesday, 26th October, 2016, witnessed dignitaries from Niger State Ministry of Culture and Tourism, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), pupils and individuals.
The State Coordinator, NICO Minna, Mrs. Olufunke Ndukwe, was there as the Guest of Honour at the competition alongside the Acting Executive Director, Niger State Council for Arts and Culture, Mr. Emmanuel Zhiri, among other dignitaries.
In his welcome remarks, the Acting Executive Director, Niger State Council for Arts and Culture, Mr. Emmanuel Zhiri, welcomed the invited guests, dignitaries and primary school pupils, who created time to grace such an important event, re-iterating the importance of cultural dance to the society, especially among pupils of primary schools, who have little or no idea about cultural dance.
Mr. Zhiri said the programme was organized to “Catch them young”, to preserve culture and instil in them the norms and values of the society, since the Primary School is the first institution of modern education and it will reflect on their past event at the elementary level.
He also stressed the importance of dance in human society, such as, physical, socio-cultural and economic development of any nation, adding that this will help in social integration and sustain peace among various ethnic groups in the nation.
In his speech, the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Culture, Mr. Jonathan Vatsa, who was represented by the Director-General, Niger State Tourism and Culture Development Promotion, Hajiya Saadatu Bokani, applauded the Council for such a wonderful initiative, which, he said, was vital for the sustenance of culture.
He applauded Niger State for preserving their rich cultural heritage, which has stood the test of time, assuring the organizers of the State Government’s support for the competition and any other culture-related programme, whenever the need arises, in order to preserve the cultural heritage of the people.
The Chief Judge of the Competition, Mr. Femi Irishi, gave the rules to the competition, saying that each school will present three dances and things that will be considered in the award of marks were custom, stage management. and time.
The schools that participated at the competition were Umaru Audi Primary School, Barikin Saleh Primary School, Ali Muhazu Sarkin Yaki Primary School, Limawa Primary School, Dr. Umaru Faruk Bahago Primary School, and I23 Primary School, Minna.
At the end of the competition, trophies and certificates were presented to the participating schools and most outstanding presentation, which included, Imawa Primary School, Minna, taking the 1st Position, Umaru Audi Primary School, Minna bagging the 2nd, while Ali Muazu Sarkin Yaki Primary School took the 3rd position.
The certificates and trophies were presented to the winners by the State Coordinator, NICO Minna, Mrs. Olufunke Iyabo Ndukwe and the Acting Executive Director, Niger State Council for Arts & Culture, Mr. Emmanuel Zhiri.
G. G. Kubaks
Corporate Affairs
NICO, Minna