Every disappointment as they use to say is a blessing in disguise. If this aphorism is true, then the postponement of the 16th National Festival tagged KADA 2008 from November 2008 when it should have held to February 2009 is indeed a blessing to the Kaduna State government, the organizers of this year’s edition.
While the postponement may not have augur well for the nation’s sporting calendar, it has ensured that the organizers are able to within the time given, pull their acts together not just to put up a hitch free sporting festival but one that will remain memorable for a long time as it is set to showcase the best of Kaduna’s rich culture nay Nigeria.
A visit to the Government Girls Secondary School, Kawo reveals that there are about 1000 Artistes from Benue, Plateau, Abuja, Niger, Kano and Kaduna State council for arts and culture in camp preparing rigorously for the opening and closing ceremonies. “We have been here for the past three weeks and I am sure with experiences of all the people here the opening ceremony will be superb. It will be an avenue for us to showcase the best of Kaduna and Nigeria’s cultural heritage.” said Olugbemiga Aluko, one of the five instructors in the camp.
Zara Yuku, a choreographer from the Benue State Council for Arts and Culture who is the camp commandant confirms that the artistes are in very high spirit and are set to eclipse existing opening and closing ceremonies record in the history of the National Festival. “I can assure you that this will be one of the best opening ceremonies you have ever seen. We are set to re-enact the Beijing Olympics in our own little way. We are working very hard” He said emphatically amidst heavy panting, having just been dragged out of a mind-numbing rehearsal session.
In the same vein, not less than 2000 school children drawn from schools across the state are in camp sweating it out to produce another breath-taking calisthenics display. The opportunity to serve their nation is the oil that propels these agile and talented kids. “We will shock the world with our display” Said Nafisat Bature, one of the kids in camp.
Alhaji Yahaya Dangana, the Consultant and Artistic Director for the opening and closing ceremony reveals that Kaduna is poised to set a record that will be difficult to beat easily by subsequent hosts. “KADA 2008 is going to set a new pace for the sport festivals in Nigeria. You are going to see a perfect synergy between sport and art. There will be performances by some of the best artistes that we can boast of from this part of the country and other parts of Nigeria.” he said.
The opening ceremony with the theme Leadership, People and Glory will witness a spectacular display tagged Innovations from the Roots – an epic stadium theatre which will depict the historical, social, cultural and political standing of Nigeria, nay Nigeria.
The Nupe born dramatist who was a member of the Abuja All African Games opening ceremony committee revealed further that there will be solo performances at the games village and other part of Kaduna city throughout the festival period but refuses to reveal the name of the artistes that are billed to perform. We however gathered from a very reliable source which pleaded anonymity that the legendry Auta Yakubu (popularly known as Mama Gwari), Tar Ukor, Zakky Azzay, Sanni Musa Denja and the current Finest Girl in Nigeria, Ochenya Jessinta Ebute are some of the artistes to expect.
The Deputy Governor of Kaduna State and Chairman local organizing committee of KADA 2008, Mr. Patrick Yakowa who paid a working visit to the camp to inspect the artistes and calisthenics kids, reiterated what others have said as he responded bluntly when asked if he is satisfy with the level of preparation for the festival and especially the opening and closing ceremonies. “I am satisfied with our preparation. You should expect a spectacle when KADA kicks of February 15th. Nothing short of a spectacle. I can assure you as you can see here too. Spectacle”
Indeed, if what is on ground at the rehearsal camps is anything to go by, I am sure that, sportsmen, tourists and others will be treated to a sumptuous cultural cum sporting activities that may surpass what was witnessed at the COJA All African Games in Abuja in 2003.
While the postponement may not have augur well for the nation’s sporting calendar, it has ensured that the organizers are able to within the time given, pull their acts together not just to put up a hitch free sporting festival but one that will remain memorable for a long time as it is set to showcase the best of Kaduna’s rich culture nay Nigeria.
A visit to the Government Girls Secondary School, Kawo reveals that there are about 1000 Artistes from Benue, Plateau, Abuja, Niger, Kano and Kaduna State council for arts and culture in camp preparing rigorously for the opening and closing ceremonies. “We have been here for the past three weeks and I am sure with experiences of all the people here the opening ceremony will be superb. It will be an avenue for us to showcase the best of Kaduna and Nigeria’s cultural heritage.” said Olugbemiga Aluko, one of the five instructors in the camp.
Zara Yuku, a choreographer from the Benue State Council for Arts and Culture who is the camp commandant confirms that the artistes are in very high spirit and are set to eclipse existing opening and closing ceremonies record in the history of the National Festival. “I can assure you that this will be one of the best opening ceremonies you have ever seen. We are set to re-enact the Beijing Olympics in our own little way. We are working very hard” He said emphatically amidst heavy panting, having just been dragged out of a mind-numbing rehearsal session.
In the same vein, not less than 2000 school children drawn from schools across the state are in camp sweating it out to produce another breath-taking calisthenics display. The opportunity to serve their nation is the oil that propels these agile and talented kids. “We will shock the world with our display” Said Nafisat Bature, one of the kids in camp.
Alhaji Yahaya Dangana, the Consultant and Artistic Director for the opening and closing ceremony reveals that Kaduna is poised to set a record that will be difficult to beat easily by subsequent hosts. “KADA 2008 is going to set a new pace for the sport festivals in Nigeria. You are going to see a perfect synergy between sport and art. There will be performances by some of the best artistes that we can boast of from this part of the country and other parts of Nigeria.” he said.
The opening ceremony with the theme Leadership, People and Glory will witness a spectacular display tagged Innovations from the Roots – an epic stadium theatre which will depict the historical, social, cultural and political standing of Nigeria, nay Nigeria.
The Nupe born dramatist who was a member of the Abuja All African Games opening ceremony committee revealed further that there will be solo performances at the games village and other part of Kaduna city throughout the festival period but refuses to reveal the name of the artistes that are billed to perform. We however gathered from a very reliable source which pleaded anonymity that the legendry Auta Yakubu (popularly known as Mama Gwari), Tar Ukor, Zakky Azzay, Sanni Musa Denja and the current Finest Girl in Nigeria, Ochenya Jessinta Ebute are some of the artistes to expect.
The Deputy Governor of Kaduna State and Chairman local organizing committee of KADA 2008, Mr. Patrick Yakowa who paid a working visit to the camp to inspect the artistes and calisthenics kids, reiterated what others have said as he responded bluntly when asked if he is satisfy with the level of preparation for the festival and especially the opening and closing ceremonies. “I am satisfied with our preparation. You should expect a spectacle when KADA kicks of February 15th. Nothing short of a spectacle. I can assure you as you can see here too. Spectacle”
Indeed, if what is on ground at the rehearsal camps is anything to go by, I am sure that, sportsmen, tourists and others will be treated to a sumptuous cultural cum sporting activities that may surpass what was witnessed at the COJA All African Games in Abuja in 2003.
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