From Okwe Obi, Abuja
The United States of America, People’s Republic of China, Japan, South Korea, France, Egypt, Morocco, South Africa, Kenya, Ghana and Rwanda, are to participate in Nigeria’s military and paramilitary band festival, next year.
Director-General of the Armed Forces, Police and Paramilitary International Band Festival (AFOPPIBAF), Justin Duru, disclosed this at a press briefing yesterday.
Another partner is the African Caribbean Network Foundation (ACNF). Duru explained that the National Drumline Festival is aimed at uniting Nigeria’s military bands, fight against insurgency and promote cultural diversity and regimental music.
The theme of festival is: “Togetherness: Unity in Diversity”, which he noted would draw inspiration from Sonny Okosun’s legendary song and seeks to promote harmony, collaboration, and Nigeria’s global standing in military music.
He said the key festival features would be: Street Parades:, featuring ceremonial and creative displays by participating bands; drumline competitions modeled after the movie, Drumline, emphasizing creativity and technical skill.
Duru disclosed that the initial plan for 2020, was postponed due to the pandemic but has since achieved remarkable milestones.
He said: “The festival will improve and promote synergy, harmony, interaction and working relationship among the Band Corps for states, national and international service deliveries.
“It will enable the Band Corps to embrace new trends and best practices in the creation, performance, and utilization of regimental and ceremonial music for enhanced service deliveries as renowned Regimental Tattoo Officers from overseas will avail us their professional expertise both for the Festival Colloquium and Post Festival Training of the Armed Forces, Police & Paramilitary Band Corps Officers.
“It will create room for improved civil-military, police and paramilitary relations and enhance the eradication of the stereotyped fear of the Officers of the Armed Forces, Police & Paramilitary Agencies among the Nigerian populace, thus aiding the promotion of national unity, peace and harmony.
“It will establish the name ‘President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’ in the history of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for posterity as a ‘National Pride’ and the first Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces under whose leadership the Nigerian Armed Forces, Police & Paramilitary Bands successfully participated in under one platform captioned: AFOPPIBAF NATIONAL FESTIVAL.
“It will also feature guest performances by invited military, police, and paramilitary bands from Africa, Asia, Caribbean, European, Latin America, and the United States of America.”