By Job Osazuwa

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In just one day, St. Jude’s Private Schools, Lagos, ‘travelled’ across 12 countries of the world to mark its International Day. The day was designed to promote Nigerian culture and to reflect other countries’ ways of life.
The pupils, drawn from the nursery and primary sections of the school, showcased the dress codes of the various countries that they represented. It was one show that exhibited lots of colour, culture, pride, history and etiquette.
Starting from the home front, the Tiv natives opened the floor by welcoming guests in their language. This was followed by Efik dance and greeting and then the presentations of the Urhobo, Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba, in that order.
While some of the kids fluently spoke their respective native languages and danced to various local songs, other pupils simply stood and watched their colleagues.
The head of the school, Mr. Charles Obi, noted that Nigerian culture was second to none, even as he said that there was the need to recognise other peoples’ cultures. According to Obi, in exploring other countries’ cultures, one would discover the uniqueness in every one of them. He pointed out that all countries and communities had every right to hold on to their cultures.
“Culture is the total way of life of a people and should be respected by others who don’t share the same values with them,” Obi said.
During the presentations, the pupils showcased Greek bravery by engaging in a staged fight. They also presented a mind-blowing dance-drama showcasing Indian marriage.
Similarly, the pupils, dressed in white and blue attire, to showcase the French culture, presented a romantic dance. While the dance lasted, the guests and the other pupils gave the actors a standing ovation.
Other groups of pupils representing Mexico and Trinidad and Tobago, rendered the countries’ national anthems. They also spoke about the countries’ political and economic history and gave useful insights into the countries’ geography.
In his speech, a guest, Mr. John Egesi, advised the pupils and everyone present not to copy the negative aspects of other people’s culture. He emphasised that Nigeria was rich and vast in culture, which was enough for them to learn.
Egesi regretted that corruption was a negative phenomenon that was fast becoming the accepted culture in Nigeria. He charged the school authorities to start teaching the evils of corruption in the elementary classes so that the children could shun the vice when they grew up to occupy different positions in the society. He advised parents, guardians and teachers to promote sound morals in every facet of life.
Director of the school, Mrs. Jatto Ijeoma, appreciated the pupils’ superlative displays. She said it was her mission not only to instil aspects of Nigerian culture in the children but also those of other countries.
While thanking parents and teachers for coaching the pupils to value African culture, she said she was fulfilled seeing them dance to Nigerian music with a lot of passion.
Other countries whose cultures were showcased at the event included Cuba, Australia, Lesotho, Swaziland, Kenya and China.