The city of Mississauga in Ontario, Canada was agog with the display of Nigeria and Africa’s rich cultural heritage at the maiden edition of The Drum Festival.
The edition, themed “Rejigging Yoruba Cultural Heritage: As Catalyst for National and International Unity, Progress and Development”, was held on July 28, 2023.
It was organised by The Drum Online Media Incorporation and convened by Segun Akanni, a culture enthusiast.
Government functionaries, royal fathers, political and religious leaders, cultural enthusiasts, and socialites from North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and especially Nigeria attended the festival.
Visitors, thrill seekers, journalists, and inhabitants from both within and outside of Canada were also there.
Various dance groups and drummers from Brazil, Iran, Uganda, Kenya, and Nigeria communities in Canada performed to the delight of cultural enthusiasts.
The event honored renowned individuals who were regarded to have made significant contributions to Nigeria’s culture and history.
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun state, Lagos monarch Saheed Ademola Elegushi, and the late Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi are among those honored.
Others are Gerry Weiner, former Canadian immigration minister; Adebo Edward Ogundoyin, speaker of the Oyo house of assembly; and Dele Momodu, publisher of Ovation International Magazine.
Nura Sani Kangiwa, DG of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism, and Lawal Quadri Obawole., the monarch of Otta in Awori Kingdom of Ogun state, are also among the awardees.
Justin Trudeau, the Canadian prime minister, commended Akanni while speaking of the festival.
“The festival offers a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the richness, beauty and diversity of African and Nigerian culture, and highlighted many contributions that Canadians of African descent have made,” he added.
Adeyinka Asekun, Nigeria’s high commissioner to Canada, said: “Cultural diplomacy is a cardinal aspect of Nigeria’s foreign policy and a very key area of focus of the Nigeria High Commission In Ottawa”.
See the photos below:
