Nekpen Obasogie Representing Nigeria In Cultural Attire

 

What does it takes to be a patriotic Nigerian? 

Many commentators argue that "it's the love and time your spent serving your country that defines your level of patriotism". If this is true, my tendency to promote Nigerian culture can also be deemed as an act of patriotism! Because, it takes a great Nigerian citizen to devote his/her time to represent Nigeria culturally and positively. Especially, when there are no incentives attached to the event(s). Representing the positive image of one's country is very imperative when you are in your host country or homeland. It helps to shape people's perception about any form of negative stereotype of your culture or Nationality. Our rich Nigerian culture ought to be treated with prestige so that non-Nigerians will also replicate us. There is popular proverb in Benin culture that says "when you treat your calabash like a trash in the present of some strangers those strangers will also emulate you and treat your calabash as a trash". This confirms to my personal experience from representing Nigeria in Multicultural Celebrations, Black History Month Celebrations and other events here in Toronto. Through my cultural attire and verbal presentations in these events many non-Nigerian had the opportunity to see the richness of Nigerian cultural. This is evident in my constant invitation to different organizations to represent Nigeria in their cultural events.       

 

What makes me so proud of many Nigerians is that whenever we are outside our homeland or in Nigerian we always demonstrate high level of competency. Our political system might be failing but majority of us continue to strive socially, academically and economically.

 

In 2015, I was invited to Rexdale Women's Centre to represent Nigeria in cultural attire in their Black History Month Celebration! It was my very first time of representing Nigeria in cultural attire in Canada. Since, then, I have been invited by many Immigrant Settlement Organizations and Community Centres, such as Rexdale Women's Centre, Delta Family Resource Centre and other organizations in Toronto to showcase my Nigerian cultural attire. My special thanks to the members of these organizations for inviting and featuring me in their websites, brochures and other social media pages in Toronto.