By Vera Chinonso Aliyu, YeyeNews.com, October 2, 2021
The International Olympics Committee (IOC) recently approved the inclusion of cultural dances as part of the Olympic sports in the coming Paris 2024 Olympic games. The announcement was made after the IOC’s Annual General Meeting held in Guinea Conakry on September 15, 2021.
After the announcement, observers have been waiting for the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) to either start processes to select the country’s representative in the cultural dance category for the 2024 Paris games. YeyeNews.com had previously reported how some African countries have already begun preparations after announcing the selection of their representatives.
However, the NOC in a press statement on Monday announced that the Minister of Information and Culture will announce the selection of the Mgbokiti Dance group from the Anambra State to represent Nigeria in the Paris Olympics. Yeyenews.com learned that Mgbokiti was selected from among a shortlist of four other cultural groups from different parts of the country.
An aide to the Minister of Information and Culture told YeyeNews.com reporter that the list sent to the minister contains five nominations: Koroso dance group from Daura, Ohogho dance group from Benin, Bata dance from Igangan, Swange dance group from Benue, and the Mgbokiti dance group from Afaraukwu.
The source explained that the Ohogho dance group from Edo State was the closest rival to Mgbokiti in the selection process. “Ohogho was dropped because it is believed to be a ritual dance that is performed to ward off bad omens and avert natural disasters. You know our government is considered by many Nigerians as a bad omen so you don’t expect us to go with a dance that have the potential to chase us away. And we also need to give the people of the southeast a sense of belonging in the country. What better way to do that than to select the Mgbokiti dance group that is even from Nnamdi Kanu’s village. We were even told that Kanu enjoys the beautiful Mgbokiti dance steps.”
However, a personal assistant to a director in the ministry said that Mkpokiti was selected on merit because it has won so many awards for Nigeria in the past: “They won the Gold Gong competition that featured every dance group in Nigeria in 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973. Mkpokiti is Nigeria’s national dance troupe; it won awards at FESTAC ’77; they won UN Gold medal in Culture & Exhibition in 2015; they are are on the back of 5 naira note; they have represented Nigeria in USA, Jamaica, England, Spain, Brazil, Cuba, and so on. it is the greatest cultural dance in Africa, so the minister was right in making this decision.”
When YeyeNews.com contacted Mkpokiti organization on the impending selection announcement, the leader of the Mgbokiti dance group expressed gratitude to the minister for selecting the group to represent the country in the 2024 Paris Olympic games: “We have always come tops in all competitions we have partook in. This Olympics will not be an exception. We will make Nigeria proud. But we will be more grateful if the government can release Kanu to participate. He is a very good Mgbokiti dancer. With him in the team or cheering us on the side, the gold medal is sure. The Honorable Minister should help us plead with Mr. President.”
