Showcasing Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage

Mr. Anthony Ayodeji Joseph is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Eko Promotion based in Lagos State. He speaks on their mission to Osun State among others with our Correspondent Richard Akintade in Osogbo the state capital.

Who are you?
Answer – Eko Promotion is a subsidiary of F-Peter Andrews and Sons Ltd, U.K which specializes in the planning, management, promotion and production of events that focus on the promotion of African arts and culture through music, dance, drama and culinary arts, with a view to positively impacting our communities and the whole of Nigeria.
We work closely with corporate organisation to create promotional events which help to communicate their products and ideas to clients and potential clients. We also produce corporate hospitality events like concerts, awards ceremonies, film premieres, release parties, fashion show and other commercial shows among others.

What brought you to Osun State?
Answer - We are here in Osun State, Nigeria, to seek the government’s approval in presenting the beautiful cultural heritage of our land in the United Kingdom during the forthcoming Notting Hill Carnival, coming up on the 26th and 27th of August this year.
Before embarking in this programme, my Creative Director, Yvonne Abosede Akindipe, myself and other members of the crew sought for the blessing of our royal fathers of which we received from the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade Olubuse 11, Olufon Of Ifon-Orolu Kingdon, Oba Abdul Maroof Adekunle Magbagbeola, Ataoja Of Osogbo land, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji-Larooye 11 and Olukoyi of Ikoyi land,Oba Yisau Oyetunji Bantale Otunla-Kodaolu 1.

Why did you want to showcase Osun State at the carnival?
Answer - Thank you very much. You see, Ile-Ife is the source of the Yoruba race and also we see that the Notting Hill Carnival is based only on Caribbean show. So, we want to inject our own cultural heritage into it to make it more colourful. We know that Osun State as one of the frontline states in Nigeria is committed to promoting tourism through the production of carnivals. Also, Osun Osogbo festival is one of the many festivals that are celebrated, so, Osun State participation in Notting Hill Carnival will be a continuation of its commitment to the promotion and preservation of Yoruba Cultural Heritage and Tradition. It will also showcase a contrasting but complimentary black culture with an entirely African flower in an atmosphere that is predominantly Caribbean, thereby ultimately creating a merging of the two into an Afro-Caribbean culture. Bearing it in mind that, Notting Hill is the second largest carnival in the whole world, and as such is visited by millions of people from different nations. So, Osun State participation will bring an increase of international exposure for the state in particular, Yoruba cultural heritage, Nigeria and African heritage in general.

What is the importance and significance?
Answer - The significance and importance are numerous, but I will break it down for everybody to understand.

First and foremost, we want to take the Yoruba culture to international level because the Yoruba culture is spread all over the world. Secondly, we wanted to promote Osun State economically as a tourist haven to a large audience thereby attracting more visitors, tourists and participants internationally. Thirdly, to culturally showcase the rich cultural heritage and hospitality of Osun State and the Yoruba ethnic group, this will also serve as a means of cultural exchange and international exposure for Osun State.
Fourthly, to educate people through the religious teaching of ancestral spirits and traditional religious value; Fifthly, to educationally inform a large gathering of people about the culture and tradition of Osun State and the Yorubas, as well as creating an avenue for different groups in Osun State and Yoruba's in Diaspora coming together as one body.

And finally, to politically showcase Osun as the cradle of Yoruba civilization and also confirm Governor Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola's commitment to tourism development and to the promotion and preservation of tradition.

Q-How many performers would the carnival entails?
Answer - The participation will involve about 40 performers and artists.

Osun devotees will be dressed in all white colours and accessories; this will provide a noticeable contrast to the colours of the carnival. Also, egungun will appear in different costumes to provide collages of brilliant African colours, that is, red, yellow, green and black. The egungun will dance with their costumes in circles such that the bits of cloth decorated with mirrors and metals fly through the air.

Igunnu may be included in its cylindrical outfit with assortment of glassware of different shapes and colours to provide artistry and some form of magical arts, stretching to heights of three meters or more and then collapsing all the way to the ground.

Also, Bata and Gangan drummers will provide the beats, sounds and rhythms of Africa. They will be dressed in agbada made with colourful Ankara fabrics, providing indigenous African music for the Egungun, dancers and Sango performers. The Sango devotees will provide entertainment with fine display and plaited hair, dancing while waving their dance wants to illustrate Sango's hot temper. To cap it all, traditional dances will accompany the drummers, dressed in full aso-oke agbada outfits. Their dancing performance shall be choreographed to exhibit the fast, jarky and angular movements that also symbolise the forceful nature of Sango.

Lastly, the state governor of Osun will host Osun State indigents at a dinner and party at the venue where all performers would be present.

Q-What is the first step to be taken by interested participants?
Answer - There is going to be a form from us to the general public at a place to be announced and published in a short while. By the end of this month the form are going to be ready and will be free of charge, after submission of the form, there is going to be a screening exercise in order to shortlist the qualified candidates.