The Cameron Collegian - October 10, 2016

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Collegian T he Cameron University

www.aggiecentral.com

Monday, October 10, 2016

56

Volume 95 Issue 6

th

Nigerian

Independence

We are

celebrating culture.

Victor Effiong t Pho

Senior music major

o by S ta cie sen L ar

CUNSA hosts independence day event Stacie Larsen

serve by the previous events,” Ilondior said. “The last event we had the same Staff Writer food items. We saw that some people On Oct.1, in the MCC Ballroom, the didn’t really like eating it. Cameron University Nigerian Student “Most Nigerian foods are a little bit Association (CUNSA) hosted the 56th hot and spicy. We had to make some annual Nigerian Independence Day adjustments and tone it down without Celebration. taking away the taste.” CUNSA member and senior music Effiong said the dance performances, major Victor Effiong was the event’s including encouraged volunteer guest Master of Ceremony, along with Codancing, involved Nigerian dances such Master Jennifer Omogbai. as Efik, Yoruba and Igbo. Effiong said the purpose of the event “We try to carry everyone along,” was to help Nigerian students feel like Effiong said. “They are part of us. When they were still part of the nation-wide we have African dance, we also want celebration. them to be part of the show—not to just “We are celebrating culture,” Effiong sit down and watch us throughout. We said. “We are celebrating independence also want them to partake in it.” from the British because the British According to Effiong, the skit were our colonial masters. Then in 1960, centered around the opinions of others Oct. 1, they handed over the government regarding Africa culture, based on to Nigerian inhabitants.” CUNSA member experiences after The celebration featured an coming to America. informational presentation, Authentic “They thought we were living in the Nigerian food, CUNSA dance forest,” Effiong said, “because Africa, performances, volunteered guest the way they see it on TV. So, we try to dancing, a skit, guest question and sensitize them that we also live in houses, answer sessions, a fashion show and tall sky scrapers like we have them here. silent auction. We have good roads. We have vehicles. Senior chemistry major and CUNSA “One of the [skit] scenarios was when President Emmanuel Ilondior said the the guy asked the girl, ‘How did you get presentation focused on Nigeria not here? Did you f ly? Did you swim?’ She solely for entertainment purposes, but tried to explain that we have airports and also for educational purposes. we have f lights, so we f lew here.” After the presentation, CUNSA After the skit, guests answered members served homemade Nigerian questions such as “How many states does food, including jollof rice, fried rice, Nigeria have? What’s the largest river? plaintain, poundo yam, and fried What does the President say in Nigeria?” peppered chicken. “The quick quizzes were to see who “We choose what we are going to was following the slides,” Ilondior said.

The celebration concluded with a fashion show and silent auction. CUNSA members wore customary attire. The silent auction included items such as unisex dashikis, Nigeria and Africa shaped pendents, Ankara bags, necklaces and earrings. All event proceeds go toward CUNSA scholarships. Ilondior said the event’s purpose was to also show the diversity of Nigerian culture. “To give to [the] community of Lawton a taste of what Nigerian culture is, we try to bring as much as we can,” he said, “like the dances, the performances, the attire [and] the food. We do the best we can.” Ilondior’s work with CUSNA puts him in a position to reach out to Nigerian student’s. “As president, you get to maintain the bond of Nigerian students [and] have to create this kind of ambient environment that can always reach to have a sense of hospitality.” Dr. Jonathan Odo, the faculty adviser for CUNSA, said CUSNA helps Nigerian students transition from abroad to the new culture. “It’s to give them a platform in their new environment,”

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I want them

to succeed while they are here - that’s

the key thing.

Dr. Jonathan Odo

Faculty Adviser for CUNSA

What’s inside Aggies take stage at pageants

Odo said, “as a vehicle to get together and talk with one another.” Odo said the University where he studied as an undergraduate didn’t have a Nigerian student organization. “I knew how I struggled,” Odo said. “What we are trying to do with this organization is to help those coming in and reach them on time and try to help them settle down and help them find their way on campus.” Odo said, in addition to helping students transition to America and American culture, the organization is structured to encourage campus involvement, including school events and community activities. “I’m like a dad to all of them,” he said. “I want them to succeed while they are here — that’s the key thing. If we have done anything in that regard, I feel like we’ve done something.”

Finding pride in the name of love

CU volleyball takes on Lions, Pioneers

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