By Divine Sam
Students and pupils of New Life Private School, located on Olusoji Avenue, Oluyole Extension, Ibadan, thrilled parents, guests and school management with a vibrant display of Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage during the school’s 2026 Cultural Day celebration.
The colourful event, held on February 12, 2026, at the college party ground, attracted a large gathering of parents, guardians and invited guests who witnessed the pupils’ impressive performances reflecting diverse Nigerian traditions.
Speaking during the event, the Executive Director and Proprietress of the school, Mrs. Tawa Ayobami Olajoke, praised the students and pupils for showcasing the nation’s cultural heritage through creative presentations. She noted that the annual cultural celebration serves as a reminder to parents about the importance of preserving and passing cultural values to younger generations.
According to her, culture plays a significant role in shaping children’s moral values and broadening their knowledge of traditions across different ethnic groups. She emphasized that cultural exposure not only promotes unity but can also serve as a means of livelihood for children who develop interest in cultural arts and heritage.
Mrs. Olajoke also commended the pupils for their enthusiasm and encouraged them to continuously learn about their cultural identity, stressing that such knowledge equips them to proudly represent their heritage anywhere in the world.
One of the special guests at the event, a retired Headmistress, Mrs. Salami, described culture as a unifying force in Nigeria, noting that the country’s strength lies in its diversity. She shared her experience of living in Ghana, explaining that despite being from a Yoruba background, she encourages inter-tribal relationships and promotes cultural tolerance among her children.
She applauded New Life Private School for integrating cultural education into its academic activities, stating that cultural knowledge remains an important aspect of holistic child development.
In an interview with one of the participating students, Haneefat Egbetokun, an SS2 student and Head Girl (Religious), popularly known as Amirah, described culture as the total way of life of a people. She expressed pride in the school’s commitment to both academic excellence and cultural education, appreciating the management for organizing the cultural programme.
Parents at the event also commended the students for their outstanding performances. One of the parents, Mrs. Hafsat Lawal Egbetokun, noted that the cultural display demonstrated that the children are well grounded in their traditions. She added that the programme serves as a reminder to parents to intentionally teach their children about cultural values and norms.
The event featured a wide range of cultural activities including traditional dress parade (Afihan Aso Ibile Wa), news presentations, Ewi recitals, Obitun dance, Yoruba counting demonstrations, Igala cultural presentations, Hausa dance, poems, riddles and proverbs (Ere Idaraya), stage drama titled One Nigeria, Igbo dance, cultural quiz sessions involving parents, Yoruba dance and exhibition of indigenous meals (Afihan Ounje Ibile).
The celebration highlighted the school’s commitment to promoting cultural awareness and unity among students while preserving Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage.
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