Author: Priscilla Osaje

20th Anniversary: 12 cultural dance groups honour Etsu Karu

20th Anniversary: 12 cultural dance groups honours Etsu Karu

Anniversary

By Priscilla Osaje

Abuja, June 30, 2024(NAN) No fewer than 12 cultural dance groups on Saturday showcased  their various cultural diversity and creativity to honour  Dr Luka Baba, Etsu Karu  at his 20th anniversary in New Karu, Nasarawa State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the groups comprised  Gbagyi, Eggon, Mada, Koro, Ebira, Tiv, Ngas, Berom, Chawai, Igbo, Idoma and Efik .

The Eggon Anzalu  dance group, composed of men, presented fascinating dance steps, electrifying the atmosphere with their drums and trumpets.

Mr Yakubu Garba, leader of the group, said honouring the leadership of Etsu Karu for two decades gives them joy because he is a man of the people.

Garba said that his leadership quality should be emulated by other leaders, saying that he carries every ethnic group in his domain along without discrimination.

“This dance group is a unifying force that brings us together and we will keep trying to foster our unity through it,” he said .

Also speaking, Chief Adoji Aliku, Aren Eggon Karu, said the Eggon ‘Traditional Council Karu’, felicitated the  Etsu Karu on the occasion of his 20th anniversary on the throne.

Aliku said that the Etsu Karu  is one of the outstanding first class traditional rulers in the state because of his leadership style.

“He  has contributed to the growth and development of Karu. He organises free medical outreaches for his people, and always organised peace meetings in collaboration with all security agencies.

” This is the main reason why Karu is relatively peaceful as it was described as a mini Nigeria. It hosts almost all the whole tribes in the Country, ” he said.

The traditional ruler prayed for long life and prosperity for him, adding that God should give him more wisdom to discharge his duties effectively.

Earlier, Baba commended the solidarity and goodwill messages showered on him, saying the memories would forever remain with him.

He said that the event was a milestone in the history of tradition, which would provide the opportunity to reflect on the past, celebrate the present and look forward to what the future has in stock.

” Celebrating the 20 glorious years I have been on the throne of our ancestors was a great achievement for us in Karu.

” These  two decades has been a  great honour and privilege serving Karu people, together we have achieved great things and overcome several challenges.

” Our journey has been guided by commitment, fostering peace and unity among our people.

” Dialogues and understanding have made it possible for us to bring together people of different backgrounds, ethnicity and belief as one united family,” he said.

He said that the special grace of God had made the people of  Karu to be united, stronger and more prosperous.

“Since my reign as the leader of Karu, we have decided to bring peace and harmony to our diverse communities.

” Our efforts to resolve conflicts  have transformed  Karu to a peaceful community worthy of emulation by other communities,” he added.

He appreciated everyone that have contributed one way or the other in making his reign to be successful.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

PO/JPE

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Edited by Joseph Edeh

Fashion model emerges winner of  Korean writing competition

Fashion model emerges winner in Korean writing competition

Competition

By Priscilla Osaje

Abuja, June 28, 2024(NAN) Miss Joy Ossai, a fashion model, on Thursday emerged winner at the 2024 Korean writing competition, organised by King Sejong Institute Foundation at the Korea Cultural Centre Nigeria (KCCN) in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sejong Institute Foundation is the major Korean Languages Institute in South Korea.

It introduces Korean culture to foreigners by working to make their interests in Korea develop into their better understanding and love for Korea.

The Korean ‘Speech and Writing’ contest grand finale and award ceremony, held at KCCN, featured 15 contestants, 10 contestants for speech contest and five for writing contest with the topic” My Special Korea Culture Experience”.

Ossai who emerged winner in the writing competition and second in the speech competition, will go home with a cash prize of N100, 000 and N50, 000 respectively.

Ms Pearl Ogbalu who came second will go home with a cash prize of N50, 000 and Lantana Muhammad who came third, takes home a cash prize of N30, 000.

An online contestant, Ms Precious Ayodele emerged winner of the speech competition with a cash prize of N100, 000 and a trip to Korea, Ms Chidera Nwankwo who came third won a cash prize of N30, 000.

Ossai said words were not sufficient for her to express her joy, as she emerged winner in the writing competition beating five contestants.

According to her, she feels so happy and grateful for the opportunity given to her by KCCN to participate in the competition.

Ossai said that the award meant a lot to her, adding that she would not take it for granted.

” I did not study the Korean language, I started the study in Nigeria and every single thing I know in Korea started here.

” I never attended any Korean school; I always study with materials on the internet.

” I developed interest the first time I heard about the language. I told myself I must learn this language.

” Sincerely speaking, Korean is the best language in the world and I prefer the language to English. That is to tell you how much I love it,” she said.

Miss Pearl Ogbalu, a content creator, who came 2nd in the writing competition, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity given to her to prove her ability.

Ogbalu said that though her hard work gave her the position, it was made possible due to the resources that were made available online for them to study.

” You can also study through hobbies, interested in drama as well as K-pop music.

” There are so many ways to learn, but you must be willing to absorb information as much as you can,” she said.

Ogbalu appreciated KCCN for fostering such a beautiful relationship between South Korea and Nigeria.

“I commend the centre for creating such opportunities and constantly giving people the chance every year to be in Korea to experience their imagination about Korea,“she said.

Mr Kim Changki, Director KCCN, said that a speech and writing contest was organised yearly for Nigerians that are interested in studying Korean language.

According to him, the centre has Korea language classes, aimed at promoting the Korean language in Nigeria and their teachers came from Korea some days ago.

He commended the winners for developing interest in studying the Korean language, as well as their love for Korean culture.

“I congratulate the winners of this competition for doing their best in studying Korean language.

” The speech competition winner will have the opportunity to go to Korea, eat their food, drink and have full knowledge of Korean culture.

Also speaking, Ms Chidinma Tobins, administrative officer of KCCN, said the competition aimed at spreading the Korean language in a bid  to expose it to other countries.

According to her, there are other programmes at the King Sejong Institute Foundation, where Korean language is being thought.

” This competition that involves  speaking and writing is a way of encouraging the spread of the  language, as well as encouraging people to be interested in it,“he said. (NAN)(WWW.nannews.ng)

PO/JPE

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Edited by Joseph Edeh

Cholera

By Priscilla Osaje

Abuja, June 25,2024(NAN)Mrs Funmi Kazeem, President, Hotel Owners Forum (HOFA), Abuja,  says the recent outbreak of cholera in Nigeria is a public health concern that requires immediate attention.

Kazeem stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to her, she has advised all hotels and restaurants to prioritise the health and safety of their guests and staff.

She added that they had put in place some modalities such as enhancing water treatment and quality control measures, regular disinfection and sanitation of all facilities to prevent any outbreak in the hospitality sector.

The president said that other modalities were proper food handling and storage practices, training of staff on cholera prevention and management and collaboration with health authorities to ensure prompt response to any suspected cases.

“As a stakeholder in the hospitality sector, I urge all hotels and restaurants to prioritise the health and safety of their guests and staff.

“We are committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for our guests and staff.

” Let us work together to prevent the spread of cholera in Nigeria,” she said.

She urged hoteliers and guests to maintain hygiene both personal and environmental.

It will be recalled that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, in a recent report, said that between Jan. 1 and June 11, it recorded over 1,141 suspected cases with over 65 confirmed and 30 deaths in 96 local government areas in 30 states. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Maureen Ojinaka/Maureen Atuonwu

Concert

Priscilla Osaje

Abuja, June 16, 2024(NAN) The winner of 2024 ‘K-pop Festival’  ‘X-mob dancers’, on Saturday in Abuja thrilled fans and music lovers  with their splendid dancing performance at the K-pop Hurray Concert Reloaded.

The K-pop Hurray Concert Reloaded, titled:  ‘The Stars’ Edition’, featured performances of various dancing group winners of 2023 and 2024 K-pop festival in Lagos Nigeria.

K-pop Hurray Concert Reloaded, organised by Korea cultural Center in Nigeria (KCCN), is a talent show created to give young talented Nigerians the opportunity to showcase their talents and promote Korean K-pop music.

The X-mob crew which comprised of six talented dancers, defeated other dancing groups like `Femmeforce’, ‘B-Stars’ , ‘Tryumphant X’, among others‘ to cart home a cash prize of N100,000, at ‘The Stars’ Edition’.

Mr Raphael Madufor, ecstatic leader of X-mob, said words were not sufficient to express his joy for emerging as winners at the  K-pop festival competition, and also winning with such a cash in the concert of ‘Stars’ Edition’.

Madufor said his group was united by passion for the Korea culture, which was why they danced to all kinds of dance such as K-pop, Afrobeat among others.

“We are happy to fit into the Korea general dance, when we decided to give it a go and then emerged as winners at the K-pop festival.

” I feel happy, I feel great, doing the song that made us to emerge as winners in this ‘Stars’ Edition’,” he said.

He urged upcoming dancers to sink into Korea culture, noting that K-pop is a different dance style where you have a  blend with dance expression and feeling.

“Sincerely speaking, other general dance can hardly give you such combination of dance as the  K-pop.

“With K-pop you should be ready to dance , express and sing at the same time.

“I want to use this opportunity to appreciate my crew for the tireless efforts they put in for us to always be winners,” Madufor said.

Mr Kim Changki, Director KCCN, said the aim of the event was to promote Korean culture, as well as everything regarding Korea in Nigeria.

According to him, KCCN want to introduce K-pop festival every year in Abuja and Lagos  to select one team among other teams.

” The K-pop fans in Abuja want to see the K-pop dance team in Abuja for the promotion of K-pop community.

” The K-pop music lovers should try their best in studying Korea culture and belonging to the K-pop community,” he said.

He urged young prospective talented Nigerian singers and dancers to be ambitious in the pursuit of their dreams.

Ms Jennifer Ezeonyeasi, the Cultural Events and  Communications Officer of the  KCCN, said the event was a reloaded K-pop concert.

According to her, the aim of the reloaded event was to bring together the winners of the K-pop festival competition in Lagos back to Abuja  to preform.

“Bringing them together will enable us to be sure of having a close knit community of K-pop performers.

“We do not want a situation where or after they won, then it just end there without bringing the K-pop community together,” she said .

NAN areports that the 2024 singing winner of K-pop performance, Victory Mbagwu won  N100,000 after her amazing performance.

Miss Precious Ayeni and two others won cash prizes of N10, 000 each after winning the dance challenge.

The K-pop is known as Korea popular music, which comes in form of popular music originating in South Korea as part of South Korean culture.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

PO/CHOM/JPE

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Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Joseph Edeh

Inspire children with disabilities to actualise their dreams- Official

Children

By Priscilla Osaje

Abuja, June 14, 2024 (NAN) Ms Habiba Yakubu, Culture and Event Officer, Korea Cultural Centre in Nigeria (KCCN), has called on relevant authorities to inspire children living with disabilities in the country to actualise their dreams.

Yakubu made the call at an event organised for children with disabilities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to commemorate the International Day of the African children on Thursday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Abuja School for the deaf Kuje, FCT School for the blind Children, Jabi and FCT School for Children with Special Needs Kuje participated at the event.

According to her, the event with the title:’ The African Child Can Dream’, seeks to celebrate the African child with special needs among six different schools within the FCT.

She said the event was designed to inspire the children to be creative, help them to discover themselves and come up with their future dreams.

“The centre decided to celebrate these children because they will not want to leave the children living with special needs out of the case.

“We created an event that was not just for their creativity but also to motivate them and inspire their dreams.

“We came up with the idea of them dreaming with the theme of the event which says an ‘African child can dream’.

“KCCN had researched some stories of amazing people in Korean culture and Korean society that had certain disabilities of different varieties, but found a way to navigate their lives by doing their best in making an impact in their generation,” she said.

Yakubu said that the children were amazing with the skill of drawing, with an idea on what their future would look like.

She said that it was exciting to see that some of them actually had really amazing ideas like wanting to be a medical doctor.

“It was really exciting that they can relate their future dream in pictures in their drawing, even though they did not have the right words.

“We see the future life from the perspective of these children and how they were able to communicate it in their own unique ways,” she said.

The event officer said that the children with disabilities communication and pictures could be passed across discrimination.

“Honestly we will start from the fact that we have to understand that having special needs is not a limitation but actually a superpower in itself,“she said.

She urged people to stop any form of discrimination, rather they should treat them with the highest level of value and respect as they do to any other person.

Also speaking, Mrs Isioma Okafor, Deputy Director on Cultural and Creative Art, FCT Universal Basic Education Board(UBEB), said celebrating the African child with love goes a long way in helping them fulfill their future dreams.

Okafor said that UBEB collaboration with KCCN had been remarkable, especially in the aspect of drawing competition among the 200 children from the six Area Councils in FCT.

She said  the children were at the centre to feel as one body without discrimination in spite of their challenges.

“We commend KCCN for this memorable event for these children, we admonish them not to relent, rather they should continue their good work.

“We appeal to them to organise a talent hunt for us in addition to a creative drawing competition,” she said.

Mrs Dorcas Utsaha, a teacher, School for the blind children, appreciated the KCCN for organising such a wonderful and colourful event for children with special needs.

” I sincerely appreciate them for giving school for the blind children the opportunity to showcase their creativity in spite of their challenges.

“When the children started printing the masks, I thought they would not perform well, but to my great surprise they did it excellently,” she said.

Another teacher, Mr Mojhood Adebayo, Abuja School for the deaf, said the KCCN had made the children to express their ideas in their own way with love.

According to him, coming up with such programmes makes the children feel good, loved, useful and creative.

Miss Rita Ugwu, a student of school for the blind in FCT, thanked KCCN for involving their school in such a remarkable event that made them feel belonged and welcome.

“Even when we cannot see, at least we were able to design the masks given to us to the surprise of everyone,” she said.

The highlight of the event was a presentation of song by the FCT School for the blind children, Jabi with the title ‘African Children no more Discrimination.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

PO/CHOMJPE

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Edited by   Chioma Ugboma/Joseph Edeh

AFFF: FG to showcase Nigerian rich cuisine globally

Participation

By Priscilla Osaje

Abuja, June 8, 2024(NAN) The Ministry of Tourism, has restated the Federal Government’s commitment to showcase Nigerian rich cuisine to the world at the Afro Flavour Food Festival (AFFF) in the U.S.

The Minister of Tourism, Mrs Lola Ade-John disclosed this in a statement by Ms Elizabeth Ofili, Special Adviser on Media to the minister, on Saturday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Afro Flavour Food Festival(AFFF) is slated for July 6 and Aug. 3, at Manchester UK and Maryland in U.S.

According to her, participating in such event would help to showcase and promote Nigerian cuisine, in order to attract global attention to the richness and diversity of Nigerian foods.

She said that this great opportunity would foster the promotion of inbound tourism into Nigeria, built around the diversity of Nigerian culture and how this feeds into the country’s cuisine and culinary offerings and experiences.

“The Afro Flavour Food Festival is a wonderful initiative that celebrates Africa’s rich culinary heritage, cultural diversity, vibrant fashion, music and art.

“Food tourism is indeed a significant component of the tourism sector, and this festival provides a significant platform to showcase the best of Nigerian and African cuisine and culture to an international audience.

“I wish to assure you that I fully endorse this festival and will ensure that the Ministry of Tourism provides the necessary support.

“Such initiatives are invaluable in promoting cultural exchange and enhancing the global profile of Nigerian and African cuisine and culture,” she said.

The minister further said that Afro Flavour Food Festival is a prestigious event that celebrates African culture, food, music, and art, showcasing the rich heritage and diversity of the content.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Joseph Edeh