THE significance of the World Dance Day, which is observed April 29 every year cannot be overemphasized. It is geared towards promoting the importance of dance in our culture, as long as people live on earth.
It may interest you to know that the World Dance Day was first introduced in 1982 by the International Dance Committee of the UNESCO International Theatre Institute. It is glaring that the idea behind this unique day is to celebrate dance, raise awareness about its importance, and encourage people around the world to participate in the art form during the celebration.
It therefore, indicates that since then, the day has been celebrated every year by dancers, dance enthusiasts and organizations in over 200 countries around the globe. This historic day is observed with various dance performances, which include workshops, and events aimed at promoting the diversity and of course, the beauty of dance. It also showcases the rich culture of the people as an art form worldwide.
However, dance is not only a form of art and expression but also has many physical and mental benefits. Dance equally helps in reducing stress, increasing flexibility and promoting overall well-being. The day also highlights the cultural significance of dance and how it has evolved in different regions of the world.
The day again serves as a reminder of the power of dance that brings people together and celebrates the joy or uniqueness of the day.
It was in view of this important day that Zemmies Production Jos, thought it wise to join other parts of the world to mark this year’s World Dance Day. This is because the organization focuses more on youth engagement as part of its contribution to the society.
Zemmies Production was established in 2018. The vision statement of the organization centres on making positive changes in the world, especially in Plateau State, by helping the youths to discover and activate their multi-talented gifts and harnessing such gifts to promote peace and alleviate poverty.
Its mission is a creative brand with the mission of creating opportunities for young people. It does that by providing a platform for the youths to express themselves through dance and other art forms. The brand aims at job creation through skills acquisition and aiding the youths to earn a stable means of livelihood, thereby serving as a means of taking them off the streets.
In her remarks, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Zemmies Productions, Jos, Mrs. Anita Nyelong expressed delight and appreciated their partner and Alliance Francaise Centre Jos as well as all invited guests for gracing the occasion. She stated that their presence at the event means a lot to her organization.
Nyelong said that she has gone to different places within Jos to record dancers. She explained that the purpose of organizing the event was to bring the young dancing groups together to showcase their talents.
She maintained that her organization would not relent in its effort in picking up the young people to mold them up in entertainment industry, so that they would not become wayward in the society.
Nyelong also disclosed that the organization has been engaging youths through organizing dancing competitionon for the younger ones. She added that they also give prizes to the best dancers to encourage them for subsequent competitions.
She called on groups and spirited individuals to support dance groups on the Plateau so that more talents would continue to be identified among the young people in the entertainment industry in the state.
Nyelong also called on parents to always give their wards or children the needed support, when it comes to discovery of talents among the young people in the dancing world. In her words, catching them young is the best for the society, looking at the increasing rate of social vices among the young people.
Commenting on the event, Director Alliance Francaise Centre Jos, Sylvanus Arum expressed joy and commended the organizer of the epoch-making event for bringing the young people who have ventured into entertainment industry to come and showcase their talents.
Arum said that dance is gradually becoming like football. He also encouraged the kids to also consider education in what they have keyed into since it remains the bedrock of any given society.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, a Jos based artist, Gideon Gambo appreciated God for making the day a reality. He added that the day has been celebrated for over 40 years across the globe.
Gambo explained that dance has now become a powerful tool that helps in shaping people’s lives in different ways. According to him, the event would further spur those that graced the event to see a future in dance.
He pointed out that dance also connects people to the society positively. He cautioned the youths against drug enhancers as dancers.
Speaking shortly after a dance presentation on stage, a dance instructor with the House of Recab, Orphanage Dance Kids, Henry Chinedu also showered accolades on Zemmies Production for engaging the young people in this important event to display their gifts, talent in dancing.
Some of the people who spoke with Metro Focus at the event said they were excited with all the presentations made on stage from all the groups and encouraged them to keep the flag of such wonderful presentations flying in the entertainment industry.
According to them, good entertainment in dance also gives comfort to those in who are bitter among others.
Our correspondent reports that, the theme in Jos for this year’s World Dance Day celebration was “Say no to drug abuse”. Metro Focus also reports that the event featured performances by Cultural Community, Sartim Ndam, House of Recab, Lai Baila, Jaspa P. D. A. M, Cypher (General) and talk sessions separately on drug abuse.
