The festival had a theme this year “Our language our heritage.” In a bid to present Nigeria’s diverse cultures the organisers planned to have a Nigeria History corner where people of knowledge were supposed to talk about Nigeria’s historic regions, British explorers, Trade and anti-slavery, British colonial rule, Independence, and secession. In the area of visual history, the Nigerian film industry was to take centerstage. In addition, the plan was to have a Nollywood corner where fans and screen celebrities could mix and mingle
IS it true that proverbs are packed with wisdom that sweetens a discourse? By implication, it means discourse can be sour. Well, among Yoruba elders it is not uncommon to hear expressions as a three-stone stove confers stability to a boiling pot of stew. At some point during the festival on Saturday, June 15, I had doubts about something being third-time lucky. At first, it felt jerky then like Akamu (pap) it went down smoothly.
So, come along with us on this narrative ride.
If one lives without learning valuable lessons daily, that one is as good as a dead mind. In my case, I learned a big lesson: the memory of a past can stand in the way of new knowledge. What happened? I kept going round and round in the hope that the festival was happening where last year’s festival took place! I neglected all suggestions from those who ply the road day and night. I kept insisting that the place they were suggesting could not be the right one. How dumb I turned out to be? The answer is now in my bleeding account. If you say I paid big time for my ignorance, you may not be far from the forest of truth…
The festival had a theme this year “Our language our heritage.” In a bid to present Nigeria’s diverse cultures the organisers planned to have a Nigeria History corner where people of knowledge were supposed to talk about Nigeria’s historic regions, British explorers, Trade and anti-slavery, British colonial rule, Independence, and secession. In the area of visual history, the Nigerian film industry was to take centerstage. In addition, the plan was to have a Nollywood corner where fans and screen celebrities could mix and mingle.
A fantastic innovation this year was a proposed celebration of fallen African heroes who fought for the British empire during the two World Wars. The idea was to spotlight the heroic achievements of these forgotten heroes by laying wreaths at the Royal Artillery Barracks, Woolwich. The organisers were to work with St George’s Garrison church Woolwich, to achieve this laudable objective.
This festival was very rich in ideas but unfortunately, some of the plans did not quite make it into existence. Take the wonderful concept of a language workshop where attendees could learn simple words to use in daily life and for conversation.
At this time in the life of Nigeria, it is impossible not to have business talks and deals. The business exhibition stands were a perfect platform for both local and international businesses to showcase their products and services at the festival.
If the other plans did not come to fruition, the arts & crafts exhibition was a modest marketplace where arts and crafts products such as fabrics, leather, and souvenirs from Nigeria and other African countries had their place in the Sun.
Let us return to another Yoruba saying that observes that hunger and reason are not bedfellows (ebi ki I wonu ki oro miran wo o). In line with that injunction, the taste of African food showcase and tasting was the crowd puller. The food stands did not only parade on-the-spot hot meals, but each of the stands also appeared colorful and eye-catching. If there was any center of attraction the medallion would go to elder Osat Eribo (the father of Irene Eribo-Ani, one of the organisers).
When the Nigerian festival, in the UK was concluding, the Eyo masquerade took centerstage and diverse dancing feet tried the steps they had been hiding. Who will hear King Ayinde Marshall’s serenade of Eyo and would not jump from a sitting or crouching position to the nearest dance floor? Yes, jump we did and took heed that this third attempt may not have been as tempting but it ticked most of the boxes of a cultural festival.
As you may know, the festival has become a dancing masquerade that must be followed around. The location keeps changing at different locations too. The rainmaker that stood in the gap during the first two shows appeared to have gone on vacation. The rain poured buckets, then went into the pins and needle mode intermittently. There were even times when the sun and the rain acted as strange bedfellows. In any way come rain or shine, Nigerians are never last in music, cuisine, fashion, or making quick business deals.
You will agree that life is filled with twists and turns, and so is this narration. However, before the curtain is drawn, the former Mayor of the hosting Borough, Councillor Alison Moore of East Finchley Ward, deserves praise for weathering the drizzling rains and the shy sunshine. In a quick chat with her, she told me she has been in partisan politics for the past 26 years; I asked her
“What has changed in the last 26years”
“A lot has changed but the door-to-door campaign has pretty much remained the same,”,she said with a smile on her face. I would have let her go but as a first-time visitor to the borough, I wanted to know what the political issues are. Her answer came out like a prepared text, “high cost of living is a major issue during this election cycle.”
As she was compelled to move to other attendees, my mind would not stop raising questions about the lives of politicians. Do they have solutions to some of the problems of their constituents? I did not ask and I received no response but the festival provided a sort of response.
IT has been a very long time since I heard that a politician made a promise and kept his word without fail. Councillor Ernest Ambe Esq was said to have made a promise to the organisers of the festival, and he kept his word! Wow!! In effect, all hope is not lost since there are people like this politician still around us.
A bit about him just in case you need to point to a man who keeps his word
He has lived in and around the borough for over 15 years.
He started his journey to becoming a Councillor when he saw the impact that his then MP, Labour’s Rudi Vis, had on his situation. Rudi and his team supported him at a very important time, and he in turn wanted to do the same for others.
As he began to campaign for Labour, he saw the impact that an effective Councillor could have on a local community. As a lawyer and active trade unionist, he sees every day, whether it’s through his professional life, union work, or his Councillor role, how representatives can make a difference in people’s lives.
WEST Hendon is a very diverse ward with lovely people. Above the railway line, in NW4, feels very much part of the rest of Hendon. Below the railway line in NW9 around the A5 West Hendon Broadway, there is a lot of regeneration and development going on, and he is working tirelessly with council officers to help ensure that it is joined up. Good job brother!!
Conclusion: When you attend a festival such as this, you run into Moji Bamtefa (a veteran Thespian of the stage and the screen) in an animated discussion with Bunmi Lawson (the microfinance and banking guru). Just before the chance meeting concludes Peter Olorunisomo (the man of many parts) strolls in with bags hanging on his shoulders, then you know that home is not that far off.
This festival ground is fast becoming the place to meet old and new faces. For instance, the name Fola Ogunba may not ring a bell but to ICAN members, the name of late Vincent Obajimi Ogunba, cannot be forgotten in a hurry. As you eat Supa Cornflakes let the memory of this business giant come back into memory. The son, a chip of the old block, as the cliché goes, has carried in his heart a burning torch that will burn down walls that separate those in the Carribean Islands from those on the continent. He came to the festival grounds to network and increase his cultural networth. If not this year, I hope he comes back with his 14-year-old daughter.
Performers of worth and emerging artists graced the stage as well. The duo of Osaze & Marcus dished out their Gen Z rap music under the watchful eyes of their parents. Same for Titilola, the Nigerian Irish performer who goes by the stage name DA Sweetnezz. She arrived late but not without cogent reasons. She had gone to audition for a part in @theebaddestshowcsase. Please if anyone of you have made it to this point in this narration, send good vibes to Titilola so she can get a part in the show.
I can bet my last dime that if anyone forgets the highs and the lows of this festival, Yemi Soile’s mother who turned 65 on Saturday would not forget it for a long time. The organisers recognised her with a cake and music that drew dance steps from all who attended.
Let it be said that though the rains came pouring, the sun too shy to shine, this third edition of the Nigeria Festival, UK woke the people of the London Borough of Barnet to the smoke and smell of roast meat (Suya). The presence of Nigerians, their music, meals, and colorful apparel would go down as a peg on the cultural landscape of an ethnically diversified Borough.
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