For the sixth year running, the Institute of African and Diaspora Studies (IADS) at the University of Lagos has commemorated the Black History Month, an annual event in the United States of America which honours the struggles and triumphs of African Americans throughout U.S. history.
Held at the J.P. Clark building of the Institute on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, the theme of the event was Celebration of the Arts with Focus on Empowering the Boy Child.
In his opening remarks, the Director of IADS, Prof. Muyiwa Falaiye, FNAL, described the Black History Month as one which offers Africans all over the world the opportunity to “remember that they are important in the grand scheme of things. It is not a day to lament, even though lamentation is a part of our history. It is a day to celebrate, a day to respect Black achievements, and a day to be Black and proud”.
Prof. Falaiye explained the rationale for the choice of theme, emphasising the Institute’s determination to use the Arts as a tool for the empowerment of the Boy Child.
“This year, at the IADS, we added a rider, “empowering the Boy Child”. We are of the opinion that promoting the Girl Child, while neglecting the Boy Child is dangerous. The Boy Child must also be prepared for the future. He must be prepared to face life and its challenges head-on, apart from just going to school. That is why, we have taken today to focus on the Boy Child. We want him to be able to do other things apart from waiting for a job.”
An Animation expert and CEO of Vortex Comics, Somto Ajuluchukwu, who was the Guest Speaker at the event, used several cartoon stories – and short presentation of his own work – to drive home his points on the boy-child’s transition to adulthood and preparedness for life.
His words: “I started Vortex because I figured that we needed a platform that could best tell our own stories. It is the responsibility of everyone to tell the positive stories of where they are from. It is the responsibility of the media and storytelling to preach and embrace the positivity of what it means to be a male in Nigeria – a male with principles and goals, focused on the impacts he would be making with his efforts. The father-son relationship is not sufficiently expressed in our media narratives, and we can substantially address that with our stories”.
Talents and Treasure
The second part of the event was the Talent Hunt, which gave room for representatives of the schools present to showcase their various talents. Ranging from singing to painting; dancing to spoken words poetry, the students regaled the audience with their different endowments, while their performances were graded by a Panel of Judges.
At the end of the performances, Federal Government College, Ijanikin earned 1st position. Grace High School came 2nd, while Queens College, Yaba came 3rd. The winnings came with cash prizes to the delight of the winning schools.
The Black History Month has become an annual event of the Institute of African and Diaspora Studies at the University of Lagos, commemorated in solidarity with the cause of advancing Black discourses all over the world.
REPORT: Isaiah Kumuyi
PHOTOGRAPHY: Samuel Dosumu
