By Correspondent in Ilorin.
The three tiers of government have been urged to establish dance hub and tourist attractions to boost public heath and generate and improve the nation’s revenue profile.
A lecturer at the University of Ilorin, Professor Jeleel Olasukanmi Ojuade of the Department of Performing Arts, Faculty of Arts University of Ilorin, stated this at the 208th Inaugural lecture of the University.
The lecture has the theme: ‘Dance Is Life, Life Is Dance: A Cyclical Nature Of Man On Earth’.
The Don stressed the need for people to take advantage of the health benefits accrue from dancing to stay healthy, through regular dance activities adding it would “improve their condition of heart, lungs, increase aerobic fitness, improve music tone and strength, gives one better coordination, agility and flexibility”.
He also urged government at various levels to ensure the documentation of cultural dances through the establishment of documentation centres
“Let us desist from debasing our dance culture. It has been flagrantly reduced to campaign activities or pleasurable act. ‘our dances represent our life’ and deserves better treatment”
The don emphasized the need for dance experts and practitioners to be accorded diplomatic treatment in order to reduce stress in procuring travelling documents
“There is the need for research funding in the areas of dance studies and practice.Efforts should be made to further organize international festivals, performances, exhibition where our dances can be showcased.” He added.
Ojuade also urged the federal government to reconsider the separation of the Federal Ministry of Culture and Tourism from being merged with another entity.
He added that it would be plausible to create a tripod stand involving traditional institutions and the academia noting that such partnership would enhance the preservation of culture, including dancing.
He also urged the Federal Ministry of Education and other agencies to reconsider the teaching and study of history, culture, museum and monuments as part of the curriculum adding that a society devoid of history is on the verge of collapse.
” This lecture serves as a wake-up call to the agencies of Culture to act as ‘store-house’ and ably document African Arts and Culture in order to be able ‘train the trainers’ in the Diaspora, based on ‘authentic documentations,” he advised.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.