Day: August 6, 2023

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Korean Cultural Centre graduates 44 students from Dance Academy

The Korean Cultural Centre in Nigeria (KCCN) on Friday graduated 44 dancers from its K-POP Dance Academy in Abuja.

The KCCN Director, Mr Kim Changki said he was happy that Nigerian youths are takingpart in the K-POP Dance Academy and doing so well.

“Here in the Centre, we have K-POP Dance Class annually. Last two weeks, we had a K-POP Dance Competition in Lagos and I am very happy about it. Nigerians are talented.

“The Centre is about K-POP, K-Food, K-Beauty, etc which has a touch of Korean culture that Nigerians can benefit from.

“From my observation, Nigerian youths are good dancers, but they have to do more exercise to be flexible. This makes dance easy. In Korea, dancers do a lot of exercise.

“We graduate about 44 students this year. And every year, we have K-POP Dance Class in the Academy and especially this year we will have K-POP Vocal Academy for the first time in Nigeria,” Changki said.

Similarly, a professional choreographer from South Korea, Jay Kim said Nigerian youths are talented and have ability and energy, adding that they need to learn details of K-POP Dance.

“It is about details. Nigerian youths are cooperative and care for one another. They are good and I appreciate and enjoy working with them.

“My advise to them is that they should try to be creative by creating their own styles and not strictly copying the styles of others,” Kim said.

One of the graduates, Jethro Luka Damina from Kaduna state said he was excited about the dance classes.

“We have been coming for classes for four weeks for practice. We learned a lot of dance movements and it feels so amazing to be here at the graduation ceremony.

“I feel happy. What is next for me now is that I am planning of starting a K-POP Dance Group here in Nigeria. I will try to push it to the next level.

“Nigerian youths and dancers should not relent. They should keep pushing. Try to do other styles of genre and dance to explore and belong to a dance community.

“If governments can support dancers in Nigeria, it will go a long way to help get youths off the streets,” Damina said.

Another K-POP Dance Academy graduate, Miss Success Nwaeze said she never felt intimidated when dancing with the opposite sex, adding that she is bold and would always want to be the best.

She explained that the academy was good, but that it was a bit challenging.

“We were working with people from different background including non-dancers. So as a team, we had to cooperate to be on same page.

“The Jay Kim is an amazing man. He has a lot of stuff and I wish I can keep learning from him for the next two months, because he has so much to give out.

“He is a versatile dance coach. The way he shared us into groups made us to know ourselves and communicate better.

“I will use the knowledge and apply it to my day today life; in my dance and fitness classes, and it will help me a lot.

“For the female dancers, keep doing what you are doing; go for your dream, don’t settle for less and be the best you can be,” Nwaeze advised.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

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Nigerian Consulate celebrates festival of drums in New York

The Consulate-General of Nigeria in New York and the Royal Festival Inc. have celebrated the “Ayan Atayero Festival” (Festival of Drums) to promote the understanding and appreciation of Nigeria’s rich culture and heritage in the US.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the maiden edition of the festival was held at the Nigeria House in New York in collaboration with the House of Oduduwa and the Atayero of Aramoko Kingdom, Ekiti.

The Consul-General, Amb. Lot Egopija, in his remarks said the gathering was aimed at celebrating the timeless tradition of drumming and vibrant Nigerian cultural heritage.

According to him, the Atayero festival holds immense significance and it showcases the power of drums as a universal language.

The envoy said that drums had the ability to transcend barriers and to bring people together regardless of their background and origin.

“The drums talk as you listen to it and they are various interpretation of the rhythm.

“Above all, the kings communicate with their subjects through the instruments of the drums. I will enjoin you to relax as the drums speak to us this night.’’

In his remarks, Olusegun Aderemi, the Atayero of Aramoko Kingdom, Ekiti, defined culture as the generality of the way people live and the way people behave.

“Heritage doesn’t die, heritage lives in the present and the future. We can’t take away our cultural heritage and we cannot add to it.

“The best we can do to our cultural heritage is to manage it.

“Our great culture is rich; our most expensive culture from Nigeria comes from the North, East to the West and down to the South is very rich,’’ he said.

The traditional ruler said the maiden edition of the “Festival of Drums“ would present different ways in which drums communicate and the interpretation of the rhythm.

“Our culture is very rich and our drums are very rich, our singing and dancing are very rich. They are very spiritual to us and very important to us.

“Drum speaks the language we understand; it could be used as a tool for calling and for healing,’’ he said.

Similarly, Olori Folashade Ogunwusi, the wife of the Ooni of Ife, who sent royal greetings from her husband also spoke about the rich heritage of the Yoruba culture, especially the drum festival.

“The Yoruba culture holds great importance as it represents the rich heritage of Yoruba people, an ethnic group, predominantly located in Southwestern Nigeria.

“The culture encompasses various aspects such as language, the art, outfit, the music and the beautiful drums.

“It is the culture that has been passed down through generation, your tradition is considered a heritage because it carries the collective history, values and identity of your community.

“It also provides a sense of belonging and the continuity connecting people together to their ancestors as well,” she said.

According to her, culture has influenced and contributed significantly to the broader African diaspora and the global cultural diversity, making it an essential part of board heritage toda

Also speaking, Edward Mermelstein, New York City’s Commissioner for International Affairs, thanked the Consulate for orgainising the festival, noting that New York City is the host of the largest diplomatic community in the world.

“This festival serves as a testament to the importance of preserving and honoring cultural heritage. It provides a platform for sharing and celebrating the tradition that has been passed down through generations.

“Moreover, the festival is a testament to the strength of our city’s cultural diversity.

“New York City is a melting point of cultures and events like this allow us to appreciate the richness and contribution of each community,’’ he said.

According to him, it is through embracing our differences that we forge stronger bonds and build a more inclusive and harmonious society.

“As we celebrate the festival in the night of drums, let us acknowledge the perseverance of our communities,’’ he said.

NAN reports that the festival, with the theme: Celebrating Our Cultural Heritage,’’ also showcased presentation of drum rhythms, their interpretation and their accompanying dancing steps by Olu-Gan Gan Troupe.

The festival was attended by the Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the UN, Prof. Tijani Muhammad-Bande, Dr Akil khalfani, Pan African Diaspora Ambassador to the Ooni of Ile-Ife, Olori Abosede Yeyegunwa, Elesi of Ejesi Ife Kingdom as well as Princess Fadakemi Fadojutimi, Managing Director of Ife Grand Resorts and Industrial Hub, among others. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

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Over N.dollars 230 000 pledged for EBTE

Over N.dollars 230 000 was collected in both pledges and tables sold during the Erongo Business and Tourism Exposition Gala Dinner which took place in Walvis Bay on Saturday evening.

The proceeds, consisting of N.dollars 130 000 made from the tables and N.dollars 100 650 from pledges, will be directed towards the organisation and hosting of the upcoming 15th edition of the expo scheduled for 25-29 October 2023.

Established in 2006, the expo is a platform for businesses of all magnitudes both locally and internationally to showcase their products and services and has attracted a number of exhibitors over the years but had to take a break for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking at the event, Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation Minister, Utoni Nujoma, implored the business fraternity in Erongo to invest in initiatives that will ensure that businesses are always one step ahead in case of unforeseen circumstances such as COVID-19.

According to Nujoma, this will prevent the closure of companies, loss of jobs, as well as the disruption of day-to-day activities.

“We have suffered the disruption of COVID-19, however we must move on and invest in innovations that will prevent us from experiencing the same consequences. We are now facing the fourth Industrial revolution and we need to be prepared,” he said.

Nujoma also commended the Erongo region’s business community for its resilience during the pandemic by keeping the region afloat and continuing to contribute to the country’s growth through the various sectors such as the fishing, tourism and mining.

Patron of the expo, Erongo Governor Neville Andre Itope, in a speech delivered on his behalf applauded the event organisers for last year’s event, which was aimed at rallying exhibitors and businesses to adapt to ways of fast recovery by identifying future disruptors and crafting and implementing changes in strategies.

Strategic Partner LSK Consulting’s Cliff Shikwambi said the expo prides itself on providing a platform at which industry trends, ideas and innovative products are unveiled for the first time and brought together under one roof a diverse audience to promote trade and investment in the country.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

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Uutoni calls for improved physical infrastructure at Tsumeb

Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Erastus Uutoni on Friday encouraged the Tsumeb town council to strive towards the improvement of physical infrastructure at the town through public private partnership.

In a media release availed to Nampa on Saturday, Uutoni, who was speaking at the Copper Festival’s Fundraising gala dinner said that he believes that local authorities play an important role in promoting economic development.

He said the ministry recognises the importance of the particular event and would like to applaud the Tsumeb town council for the initiative that will help grow the town’s economy.

The minister added that local authorities play an important role by providing residents with basic services such as access to water, electricity, affordable housing and sanitation.

“I strongly think that the opportunity to attain the theme; “Restoring the dignity of our community”, lies in the fact that local governments make decisions that affect the day-to-day quality of life for residents. Therefore, to build public infrastructure restores the dignity of residents at local authority level,” he said.

During the same event, also inaugurated the Tsumeb Fruit and Veg Hub, which commenced its operations in 2019 at the town.

“This particular event was a result of smart partnerships that create common understanding among local leadership, corporate and high learning institutions on issues of local governance,” Uutoni said.

“Equally, I would like to underscore that there is a greater need for public markets to increase access to healthy foods, while highlight the local culture of our communities in which they are found,” he added.

The minister stated that the hub was commenced with the aim to avail a safe and secure operation facility to the venders currently operating on Hage Geingob Street and that the first phase of the project was funded by Dundee Precious Meatals Tsumeb’s Community Trust.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency