I was at my daughter’s school yesterday for their Independence Day celebration. The whole week has generally been a buzz of activities with them doing cultural things like tie and dye, viewing artifacts and Nigerian coins and such. Yesterday, all parents were asked to dress their kids up in their respective cultural attires and also bring a local Nigerian dish which would be tasted by all the kids. The parents were also invited to the school for a fashion parade, food-tasting and also a presentation by the children.
I dressed my daughter up in her (I’m not from her state) traditional attire of a wrapper with beads on her neck and head. Not enough beads, she’d have worn some more on her wrists. My, did she look like a princess! I decided to go my way a bit and cook something from my locality. I made Boiled unripe plantains and a vegetable sauce to go with it and off we went to school!
Boy was I glad when our efforts were applauded with cheers from her teachers who called her a princess and all on seeing her! Anyway, the festivities began with the food tasting where all meals were opened, described by the teacher, and tasted by the kids, and a presentation of “greetings” by the children in the 3 major languages.
The people we see and their languages too, are different you know, are different you know (2x) Ekaro ma, Ekaro Sir…… you know the drill!
What followed was a fashion parade and our little ones paraded out with the moderator announcing the state each kid represented amidst a lot of applause from the parents, picture taking and hugs and kisses for the kids! It was all so sweet! It ended with the presentation of a brief history of Nigeria, the singing of our National Anthem and the pledge.
Pity I can’t put up a pix of my princess, I wouldn’t want to violate her privacy! Anyway, I salute my fellow country men as our nation Turns 46. May we grow from strength to strength, and may our Leaders lead us aright!
The Nigerian National Anthem
Arise, O compatriots,
Nigeria’s call obey
To serve our fatherland
With love and strength and faith
The labor of our heroes past
Shall never be in vain
To serve with heart and might
One nation bound in freedom, peace and unity.
Oh God of creation,
direct our noble cause;
Guide our leaders right;
Help our Youth the truth to know
In love and honesty to grow
And living just and true
Great lofty heights attain
To build a nation where peace and justice shall reign.
2 comments:
Your daughter must have looked very cute!! Makes me remember my Primary School days. Pure Bliss!!
Check out my Independence post on my site.
Oi!!! I will... Yes, she was very cute!!
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