Sections
Poll: Power pledge
Is Mr. President's promise of additional 6,000 MW of electricity in 18 months achievable?
Lisabi heroism as cultural heritage for Egbas
Font size:
L-R: Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, the Alake of Egbaland, Tokunbo Gbadebo, his Olori, Oba Fatai Akanmo; Ikechukwu Kalu, senior manager, Channels an Regional Marketing Operations, MTN, during the grand final of the Lisabi day celebration held recently at the Alak
Lisabi' to the Egba people in Western Nigeria is what Argungu or Durbar is to the Kebbi/Hausas in Northern Nigeria.
It celebrates and promotes the age-long heritage of the 'Egbas' especially their heroism and industrious nature.
Lisabi Day, celebrated yearly, helps to bring the Egba people both home and in Diaspora together, to share, fellowship, honour, as well as cherish the memories of their great heroes and heroines, who fought series of battles to create a homestead for themselves and for future generations of the Egba people.
And the event over the years, has given residents and tourists the opportunity to recreate socially, and culturally, as they re-enact one of their renowned age-long communal feasts. As part of its contribution to the preservation of history and values especially in Africa; MTN Nigeria has over the years been actively involved in the celebration of culture and traditions in Nigeria.
Among other cultural initiatives, the telecom giant has also been part of the annual Lisabi Festival, which it has made a tourist destination point for the people of Abeokuta in Ogun State.
MTN, through its support for the festival, is using the medium to associate and showcase the beauty of African culture to the world.
Recently, it sponsored the Argungu International Fishing Festival in Kebbi State and with its sponsorship of the Lisabi Day celebration for the second year running, MTN has come to register itself in the history book of the 'Egbas' as a brand that has helped to promote the age-long heritage of the people.
Ikechukwu Kalu, senior manager, channels and regional marketing operations, who represented Bola Akingbade, MTN chief marketing officer, said the company is using the festival to not only drive brand affinity but to also live the passion of the people and empower the host community.
Though the company presented a cheque of N7.5-million during the grand finale at the Alake's palace, Kalu said the company does not emphasise on cost in its sponsorship of events.
However, the company's participation in the last two years has not gone unnoticed. This has attracted great commendations not only from the community, but the highest authority in the land, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, the Alake of Egbaland, who took time out to appreciate the brand for being part of the success story.
During the week-long activation, MTN was able to impact every life, through the sponsorship, by ensuring that there is something for everyone. In every Lisabi Day celebration, as a symbol of respect to Lisabi and his heroic status, a day was set aside to recognise the heroes of the Egba community.
Oyeneye Majekodunmi, the balogun of Ikereku, Kiniun Egba, who died on January 26, 1884, was chosen as the hero of the year.
To the Egba people, Lisabi is a "hero."
The Inter-schools debate, the quiz competition and football competition were activities targeted at the young people on its 'Xtra Cool' brand.
There was also a stage performance, and the grand presentation of the historical drama, 'Lisabi Agbongbo Akala' at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta.
The invited guests and audience, considered as 'Xtra Special' customers by MTN at the stage performance, had a good time as they were taken on a journey into the annals of Egba history.
The music concert rounded off with the celebrations bringing together families and friends, while it was an opportunity for MTN's 'Xtra Connect' subscribers to have a fun-filled time at the week-long festivities.
Kalu said: "MTN is here to facilitate the celebration by making available both material and financial resources that will enable the festival be something to remember. And when we go to any festival or activation, we always have a vision or dream, something we want to achieve.
"For us, our involvement in community festivals is a promise to our customers and Nigeria in general, a promise of experience. We want the people to come and have a wonderful time and have something to talk about. And that is why for every community festival that we have partnered with, we have made sure that there are milestone of activities that people can talk about for a long time, even after we finished the festival."
And the special theme of this year's celebration, which is the 22nd of its kind, was "Heroism and Youth Development."
Lisabi was the liberator of the Egba people in the struggle against the reign of the Alaafin of Oyo an extraordinary Egba son, who exhibited dignity and pride.
Lisabi Day, celebrated yearly, helps to bring the Egba people both home and in Diaspora together, to share, fellowship, honour, as well as cherish the memories of their great heroes and heroines, who fought series of battles to create a homestead for themselves and for future generations of the Egba people.
And the event over the years, has given residents and tourists the opportunity to recreate socially, and culturally, as they re-enact one of their renowned age-long communal feasts. As part of its contribution to the preservation of history and values especially in Africa; MTN Nigeria has over the years been actively involved in the celebration of culture and traditions in Nigeria.
Among other cultural initiatives, the telecom giant has also been part of the annual Lisabi Festival, which it has made a tourist destination point for the people of Abeokuta in Ogun State.
MTN, through its support for the festival, is using the medium to associate and showcase the beauty of African culture to the world.
Recently, it sponsored the Argungu International Fishing Festival in Kebbi State and with its sponsorship of the Lisabi Day celebration for the second year running, MTN has come to register itself in the history book of the 'Egbas' as a brand that has helped to promote the age-long heritage of the people.
Ikechukwu Kalu, senior manager, channels and regional marketing operations, who represented Bola Akingbade, MTN chief marketing officer, said the company is using the festival to not only drive brand affinity but to also live the passion of the people and empower the host community.
Though the company presented a cheque of N7.5-million during the grand finale at the Alake's palace, Kalu said the company does not emphasise on cost in its sponsorship of events.
However, the company's participation in the last two years has not gone unnoticed. This has attracted great commendations not only from the community, but the highest authority in the land, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, the Alake of Egbaland, who took time out to appreciate the brand for being part of the success story.
During the week-long activation, MTN was able to impact every life, through the sponsorship, by ensuring that there is something for everyone. In every Lisabi Day celebration, as a symbol of respect to Lisabi and his heroic status, a day was set aside to recognise the heroes of the Egba community.
Oyeneye Majekodunmi, the balogun of Ikereku, Kiniun Egba, who died on January 26, 1884, was chosen as the hero of the year.
To the Egba people, Lisabi is a "hero."
The Inter-schools debate, the quiz competition and football competition were activities targeted at the young people on its 'Xtra Cool' brand.
There was also a stage performance, and the grand presentation of the historical drama, 'Lisabi Agbongbo Akala' at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta.
The invited guests and audience, considered as 'Xtra Special' customers by MTN at the stage performance, had a good time as they were taken on a journey into the annals of Egba history.
The music concert rounded off with the celebrations bringing together families and friends, while it was an opportunity for MTN's 'Xtra Connect' subscribers to have a fun-filled time at the week-long festivities.
Kalu said: "MTN is here to facilitate the celebration by making available both material and financial resources that will enable the festival be something to remember. And when we go to any festival or activation, we always have a vision or dream, something we want to achieve.
"For us, our involvement in community festivals is a promise to our customers and Nigeria in general, a promise of experience. We want the people to come and have a wonderful time and have something to talk about. And that is why for every community festival that we have partnered with, we have made sure that there are milestone of activities that people can talk about for a long time, even after we finished the festival."
And the special theme of this year's celebration, which is the 22nd of its kind, was "Heroism and Youth Development."
Lisabi was the liberator of the Egba people in the struggle against the reign of the Alaafin of Oyo an extraordinary Egba son, who exhibited dignity and pride.
Add to:
del.icio.us |
Digg
del.icio.us |
Digg
Email to a friend
Print version
Plain textRate this article
Comments ( posted):
Post your comment