THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013
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The Midweek Magazine E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com
Reviving Yoruba culture
T
HE Yoruba are beginning to occupy the pride of place in the centre of Yorubaland. Determined to revive their culture and tradition, which seem to be threatened by globalisation, the Oyo State government has instituted the Samodun
Festival. The festival debuted with fanfare in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital last Thursday. It lasted for three days. The Samodun festival, conceived from the popular greetings at annual festivals in Yoruba land "Aseyi samodun", is one of the projects to resuscitate and preserve Yoruba cultural heritage in the state. The fiesta began with the 'Ajumorin Walk'. The walk had a unique feature. Governor Abiola Ajimobi led members of his team, civil servants, local government chairmen, heads of boards, parastatals and extra-ministerial departments, popular actors and actresses, citizens and other stakeholders on a long walk from Agodi Government House through Oje to Mapo Hall, the historical gathering venue for significant programmes. He said that the walk would hold quarterly. The first is of its kind in recent times. Everyone was decked in uniform African prints, such as ankara and kampala. This added glamour to the event while reminding the audience of its rich heritage. The presence of notable actors and actresses in the Yoruba movie sub-sector of the entertainment industry and musicians also added spice to event, especially the walk. "It was a novel idea in the state," many observed. The actors and actresses led by the former ANTP President, Prince Jide Kosoko, praised the government for organising the fiesta, saying it would further promote culture. Other actors and actresses witnessing the fiesta, which was organised by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, included: Funke Akindele, Muyiwa Ademola, Fatiha Balogun, Bolaji Amusan (Latin), Adekola Odunlade, Dele Odule, Sanyeri and Rose Odiaka. Addressing the mammoth crowd at Mapo Hall, the governor said the Samodun fiesta was meant to remind the people of their rich heritage which is worthy of the emulation by all. The walk was followed by diverse cultural displays, highlighting the rich depth of the Yoruba language, folklores, traditional mode of recreation, livelihoods and the people's sense of dressing. He noted that Africa is rich in cultural heritage, but, lamented that it is unfortunate that it has been boxed into believing that its inherited system and culture are of lesser texture to that of the Europeans. This, he said, is part of the mental slavery that our people have been subjected to for centuries, adding that his administration would continue to execute laudable projects that would have direct impact on the lives of the people of the state. Ajimobi said: "We will realise that even though our fathers could not read and write, they were greater doctors, physicists, paleontologists and even political scientists, far more than what obtains in our so-called modernity and civilisation. In the promotion, advancement and propagation of our culture, the world will realise that Africa did not just stumble on a heritage; we have always had a great heritage,'' he said. He also told the crowd that the urban renewal programme of his administration which he said had been yielding results,
•Ajimobi (second left), his deputy Moses Adeyemo (left) ; Alhaji Waheed Olajide (Secretary to the State Government (SSG)) and Chief of Staff, Dr Adeolu Akande during the ‘Ajumorin Walk’. PHOTO:FEMI ILESANMI
•Masqueraders entertaining at the festival From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan
FESTIVAL was not aimed at unnecessarily inflicting pains on the people but to make life worth living and to improve the aesthetics of the state. The second day featured a comedy and beauty pageant at Cultural Centre, Mokola. The winner of the beauty competition went home with an automatic one-year employment with the governor's wife to join her in promotion of culture and
tourism, in addition to a brand new car. The fiesta ended with a Fuji concert at the Cultural Centre, Ibadan on Saturday. The Special Assistant to the governor on Culture and Tourism, Mr Kunmi Fakeye, said the concert as all other programmes of the fiesta, was to promote tourism and the diverse facets of the culture. "Fuji, a brand of local music believed to have originated from Ibadan. Popular Fuji musicians such as Abass Akande Obesere, Osupa Saheed and Rashidi Ayinde are special in the concert. The annual festival is meant to promote the culture and tradition of the Yoruba race," he said.
Firm honours workers, clients
P
ORTERS Realties Limited has organised a dinner to honour its staff and clients for their commitment and dedication to duty. From the lobby, guests were ushered into the red carpet hall by delectable ushers. The party, which was held at the De Event Hall, Ikeja, Lagos, was a way of fostering harmonious relationship among staff. It also brought to the fore the significance of staff motivation for greater productivity. The firm’s Managing Director Mr Tayo Fashogbon, who emerged as winner of Porters role model awards, praised the staff for their steadfastness and commitment in the past years, saying it was tough when the company began operations five years ago. "Within the period of five years, we have seven products for our clients. We have a growing staff strength and they are happy and moving on. This dinner shall be an annual event henceforth," he said. He reiterated the company's mission to provide affordable low housing scheme for low income earners through its 'Vision 20-
By Ozolua Uhakheme, Assistant Editor (Arts)
CELEBRATION 20 programme'. The General Manager, Mr Pius Yina recalled the company's days of little beginning and its resillience in converting the initial challenges to strengnth. He reflected on the pilot project in Mowe-Ofada, which was initially bedevilled by bureaucracy. Awards were presented to some people at the event. Winners included: Bimpe Adesanya (most friendly staff), Chichiney Pius (most punctual), Abdulmalik Adesanya and Bimpe Adesanya (best dressed man/woman), Agboola Tiwalade (best overall staff), Bolaji/Shakiru (most attached staff), Bimpe Okanlawon (best Head of Department). Others were Segun Meshioye (best independent marketer/agent), Ruth Abel (best marketer), Biodun Akindeinde (won Ipad2 as the most outstanding marketer), Pius Yina
•From left:Eniola Takuro, Gbenga Aina, Adedayo Ajayi, Fashogbon, Yina, Moyosoluwa Wale-Idowu
(most dedicated /hardworking staff), and Marketing department (most effective department). Some lucky ones also went home with different prizes that included DVD players, home theatres, microwaves and hampers after a raffle draw. On the affordability of the company's
products, he said: "Affordability here may not be on the basis of the amount payable but by the approach, the scheme and the time that is required to pay. For instance, if a property is going for N4 million and you are to pay within two months, it may be on the high side for persons within the low income bracket.”