On Friday, February 21, 2025, Goge Africa Foundation, in partnership with Providus Bank, hosted the Cultural Dance Schools Competition Prize Presentation Ceremony at their Lekki branch in Lagos. This also happened to be International Mother Language Day which was the perfect opportunity to celebrate our rich cultural heritage while recognizing the amazing young talents who brought their traditions to life through dance.

The event was graced by officials from Providus Bank, including Ms. Ayoyinka Falade (Event Officer, Brands and Corporate Communications) and Ms. Omotayo Idowu (Head of Commerce and SME). 

We also had the presence of distinguished guests such as Mr. Idris Aregbe, The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture and Mr. Tijani Babatunde of Rite Foods, who supported the event with their refreshments.

The Cultural Dance Schools Competition was first held during the Goge Africa Festival in October 2024, as Goge Africa celebrated its 25th Anniversary. Twenty-One (21) schools participated, however, only five (5) made it to the final list.

According to Mrs. Chinwe Abana, Coordinator of Schools for Goge Africa Foundation, the students brought so much passion and creativity to the stage. She highlighted two standout performances: the Zulu dance by the first-place winner and the energetic Igbo Atilogwu dance, which kept the audience on their feet.

At the prize presentation ceremony, Mr. Idris Aregbe and Ms. Omotayo Idowu did the honours of presenting the prize cheques to the winners. Here is the list of the five (5) winners:

• 1st Place: Angus Memorial Senior High School, Somolu – ₦200,000 (Two Hundred Naira)
• 2nd Place (Tied): Arch Deacon Adelaja Senior High School (Bariga), Bright Hope Schools (Agege), and Fountain Heights Secondary School (Surulere) – ₦100,000 each (One Hundred Naira)
• 3rd Place: Ashafa Tijani Memorial High School, Iponri – ₦100,000 (One Hundred Naira)

Amb. Metche Isaac Moses, CEO of Goge Africa, encouraged students to take pride in their heritage, highlighting the competition as a platform for young creatives to showcase their talents.

Mr. Idris Aregbe commended Goge Africa for its dedication to cultural empowerment, reaffirming the Lagos State government’s commitment to supporting creative initiatives.

Mr. Tijani Babatunde, a strong advocate for indigenous languages, emphasized the importance of preserving and promoting mother tongues, encouraging the younger generation to speak their native languages with pride.

In celebration of International Mother Language Day, attendees recorded short videos speaking their mother tongues, which were later shared on Goge Africa’s social media platforms to further promote linguistic and cultural diversity. Watch some videos via Goge Africa Instagram Page HERE.

The event concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks from Mrs. Chinwe Abana, who expressed gratitude to the participating schools, sponsors, and dignitaries for their contributions and support in making the ceremony a success.

This event was more than just an prize presentation ceremony – it was a celebration of culture, creativity, and the power of preserving our heritage. The fact that it happened on International Mother Language Day made it even more special, reminding us why we need to continue telling our stories through language, dance, and tradition.

A huge thank you to Providus Bank, Rite Foods, Lagos State Government, and everyone who made this possible. We’re excited to grow this initiative and create even more opportunities for young cultural ambassadors in the future.