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By Okorie Uguru
Plans are on for the maiden edition of the Drum Against Malaria (DAM) Global Summit in Halifax, Canada. The summit, a three-day programme, is scheduled to hold from April 25 to 27 next year (2025). The high point of the programme will be on April 25, the World Malaria Day, where activities would be centred on showcasing African culture and tourism asset drumming, and in the process create awareness on the menace of malaria ravaging the continent of Africa, and efforts of groups and non-governmental organisations (NGO) in the fight. It will also throw light on the fight through advocacy and interventions in the provision of basic health-care facilities for some disadvantaged communities in different countries of Africa. It would also discuss ways of eradicating malaria in Africa.
The DAM Global Summit would also provide opportunities for Business to Business (BnB) networking with investors and businessmen from all over the world through the business summit. The founder of DAM Summit, Dr. Olugu Ukpai spoke on the plans currently on ground: “The DAM Summit goes beyond mere malaria advocacy and socializing; it is a strategic art of building relationships that can open doors, foster collaborations, and drive personal and professional growth. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a professional, or simply someone looking to expand your horizons, the DAM Summit is a powerful tool in your arsenal. We will have investors from China, Singapore, and Canada together. It is going to be a total package.”
As part of the efforts to create awareness and mobilise support for the eradication of malaria in Africa, the last day of the summit would be used to showcase African culture through the assemblage of different drums from different parts of Africa for a drum carnival. Olugu said: “We plan to have the highest assemblage of African drums in North America. We are encouraging participants for the summit and all our guests to come with at least two drums. We planned to make a statement in such a multicultural society like Canada on the richness of African culture and showcase the same to Africans in the Diaspora living in Canada. It will be an opportunity to experience Africa.
“This assemblage of African drums would be used to showcase the richness of African tradition and also our culture of music and dance.”
The DAM Global Summit, according to the organizers, would be an annual global event for both African cultural enthusiasts and for businessmen from all over the world, and that it will offer opportunities for business networking, for African cultural enthusiasts to connect and celebrate the richness of African culture. It will equally be used as a platform for advocacy against malaria and its eradication in Africa.
