Heritage Bank Limited has been commended for stimulating economic diversification by promoting and supporting Nigeria’s cultural heritage.
The Information and Culture Minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the staging of SEKI, a dance drama, in Lagos, explained that cultural activities remain a major plank of tourism which is a key component of the current economic diversification drive.
Experts believe that culture and tourism in Nigeria have an earning capacity of over $7 billion. According to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) records, $1.5 billion was spent on international ticketing in 2013 alone.
Mohammed lauded the bank for the initiative and stressed that the dance drama showcased the rich culture of Okirika people.
The minister added that the SEKI is a good source of entertainment, education and information. The nation, he emphasised, is united by her different cultures and appealed that Nigerians must celebrate their diversity by reinforcing the things that unite them.
Seki, which was an official entry to the 10th anniversary of the National Black Arts Festival in Atlanta Georgia, is a collaborative rhythmic agreement of dance patterns of five different masquerade groups of the Okirika clan in the Lower Niger Delta Area of Rivers State.
Also speaking at the event, Ifie Sekibo, Managing Director of Heritage Bank explained that as a bank that seeks a balance between tradition and innovation, it always respond positively to the rich African tradition through various art forms as a way of promoting cultural diplomacy.
“The name Heritage Bank was borne out of a desire to project an essence that fosters a generational mind-set, and is reflected in the unique physical and ideological atmosphere that defines our business.
“Dance combines philosophy, literature, religion, music and visual arts. The stories, costumes, movements and expressions all have a profound positive influence on the mind, which in turn, is the starting point to crafting a renewed view of wealth and value creation in the Nigerian people,” Sekibo said.
Yibo Koko, the Director of the dance drama explained that culture is the totality of a way of life evolved by a people in their attempt to meet the challenges of living in their environment and stressed that SEKI remains a traditional representation and dramatic imitation of the belief system of the Okirika people.
No comments:
Post a Comment