Department of Mass Communication Holds Annual TAC Day • We are Bringing in Major Partnerships Next Year- Adeoye

Toheeb Shittu

The Department of Mass Communication, Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic, Ijebu-Igbo, on Thursday, held its annual Traditional African Communication (TAC) Day.

The event, which held in the Abusi Hall, had in attendance, guests from the BCOS Media House, and other familiar faces which included: Mr. Ogunnariwo, Alhaji Adeoye, Mr. Ogundijo, Mrs. Oyefuga, the Director of Students’ Affairs and other Departmental Staff.

Activities that were displayed during the event included dance, music, fashion parade, food presentation and drama; all cutting across the Ibo, Yoruba, Fulani, Edo and Ghanian ethnic groups.

The event started with an opening prayer by Mrs Ogundijo; the Department’s Technologist, after which the football players who won the Rector’s Cup Competition were presented their gold medals for a successful outing.

Kick-starting the event proper, the members of the Kegites’ Club International, Ilya Molusi had a session on stage, after which the representatives from the 5 different ethnic groups dazzled the crowd with their performance.

The Ghanian ethnic group were the first to showcase the Accra-inspired culture as they came out in beautifully-combined colours to serenade the crowd.

Members of the Edo ethnic group came prepared as they seamlessly gave an impressive performance, giving the crowd; especially those from the state, goosebumps. Renditions in music and dance were skillfully done and their gowns painted a remarkable picture of the Benin people.

The Fulani ethnic group was a sight to behold. Their dance and costume quickly captivated the crowd and a proper representation of the ethnic group’s fashion sense became a topic of discussion among members of the crowd who craved for more.

The Eastern part of the country was excellently represented by their members who looked like they had the formula to keep the mood of the audience on a high level. From their Atilogwu dance routines to the brilliant use of fashion materials; any Ibo among the judges would have given them a pass mark.

The highlight of the day was the Yoruba ethnic group who almost sent the crowd into a frenzy with the presence of a masquerade on the stage

They had creatively danced to the drums until a gunshot heralded the presence of an ‘Egungun’ masquerade who tore the stage apart while it’s drummers and cane bearers continued to hype it.

The Yoruba ethnic group sent the stage into a smoky area and the crowd was held spell-bound by the stunning performance from the members.

“We’re Bringing in Major Partnerships Next Year” - Adeoye

While speaking with Pressmen after the event, the Lecturer-in-Charge, Mrs Adeoye noted that the event was the practical aspect of the course, and it is one of the requirements stated by the National Board of Technical Education (NBTE).

She said “As an NBTE requirement for the course; Traditional African Communication System, it is expected that students showcase African traditional culture so they can know how diversified the African culture is. The acceptance and joy from the students make me feel elated and at the same time, it makes me want to always do more. I am only trying to extend to the students, how I was thought and taken through several practical aspects when I was a student like them and it is obvious that when they go through practice, they will exert it into whatever they do in life. Teaching a course like TAC without practical can be compared to a living corpse. Theory cannot stand in the place of practical and vice versa”.

The lecturer also noted that the African culture is the best and it would be great if the government incorporated different aspects of the culture in all sectors including Education, Health and Tourism. This, according to her, will help different aspects of the Nigerian culture be promoted.

Speaking on the prospect of next year’s TAC day, Adeoye noted that the Department is united in efforts and will work towards inviting Traditional rulers, more Media Houses and Traditional brands to sponsor and engage in the programme.

“We will write proposals to brands and convince them to partner with us. The more partnership we get, the more we promote the Department and the institution at large. We are sure that the next TAC day will be unique if we put all these in place” she said.

More pictures below: