When seki came on stage

It was a night of night glamour and fun as the best of Nigerian culture, fused with the rich cultural heritage of Okirika came on stage last Saturday in Lagos when Heritage Bank sponsored Seki Dance drama before a select audience of arts lovers.

Seki, which was an official entry to the 10th anniversary of the National Black Arts Festival in Atlanta Georgia, is a collaborative rhythmic agreement of dance patterns of five different masquerade groups of the Okirika clan in the Lower Niger Delta Area of Rivers State.

The Information and Culture Minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the event, commended the bank for the initiative, stressing that SEKI is a good source of entertainment, education and information. The nation, he emphasized, is united by her different cultures and appealed that Nigerians must celebrate their diversity by reinforcing the things that unite them.

Also speaking at the event, Ifie Sekibo, Managing Director of Heritage Bank explained that as a bank that seeks a balance between tradition and innovation, it always respond positively to the rich African tradition through various art forms as a way of promoting cultural diplomacy.

“The name Heritage Bank was born out of a desire to project an essence that fosters a generational mind-set, and is reflected in the unique physical and ideological atmosphere that defines our business, Sekibo said.

Yibo Koko, the Director of the dance drama explained that culture is the totality of a way of life evolved by a people in their attempt to meet the challenges of living in their environment and stressed that SEKI remains a traditional representation and dramatic imitation of the belief system of the Okirika people.

The well attended event which was compered by a Nollywood star, Kate Henshaw, also saw other nollystars like Richard Mfe-Damijo and others on parade.