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By Akanji Alowolodu, Bauchi
Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed of Bauchi State on Saturday said his administration respects the culture and diversity of people’s tribes in an effort to ensure peaceful coexistence among the residents of the state.
The governor made this known while declaring closed, the 8th Children’s Creative Station Workshop organized by the National Troupe of Nigeria with 10 schools participated in Bauchi State held at Government House Bauchi.
Bala Mohammed said the administration considered as important, promotion of culture, tourism and tradition in order to maintain mutual understanding among the citizens of the state.
Represented by the Chief of Staff, Government House Bauchi, Dr Aminu Hassan Gamawa, the governor applauded the National Troupe of Nigeria for partnering with the state government to organize the Children’s Creative Station Workshop in the state.
He said the state government will continue to work with the Agency so as to inculcate the culture of mutual respect for people’s tribes and culture especially among students of public schools in the state.
“I am very proud to say that, the performance of all the children who participated in the workshop is exceptional and I congratulate them for that.”
“This workshop will go along way in preparing the participants to grow up with the culture of understanding people’s culture. When ever you talk about culture, tradition, our traditional rulers are key and therefore my administration is committed to not only preserving, but supporting our traditional institutions who are the custodian of our culture.”
The governor appreciated the support of UNICEF to education, health and other critical sectors of the state’s economy and declared total support of the state government towards the full implementation of all organization’s programmes in the state.
Governor Bala Mohammed who at the occasion bagged the pillar of Children’s Creative excellence award presented to him by the National Troupe of Nigeria expressed gratitude to the agency for finding him worty of the award.
In a key note address, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed commended the state government for supporting the conduct of the workshop in the state, describing it as a tool to boosting the educational capacity of the participants.
The Minister who spoke through the Artistic Director, National Troupe of Nigeria, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Ahmed said the programme has since inception been targeted at children of primary school age whose imaginations, talents and creativities are re-awakened, developed, and appreciated.
Earlier, the Director of Dance in the National Troupe of Nigeria, Mr Shayibu Hassan who spoke on behalf of the Artistic Director said the workshop is organized in line with one of mandates of NTN to encourage the development of children’s theatre’ and designed to discover and enhance the children’s talent and creativity in the area of performing art which includes, dance, music and drama.
“The Children’s Creative Station Workshop is held under different themes annually and this year, the creative station theme is Unity in Diversity as the country is in dire need for Nigerians to respect each other’s choices as well as their social, economic and political background.”
“We appeal to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Bauchi State to ensure that diversity of cultural expression is being promoted through the curriculum in which beyond general education, other subjects such as theater are taught while public schools should be supported and encouraged to prepare and train young people who wish to follow a career in the performing arts.”
