AYJ Cultural Exposition 2024 smashing success

“WE RETURNED all the glory to God Almighty for the success. On behalf of the executive and the planning committee of the AYJ (Alliance of Yorubas in Jamaica) Cultural Exposition 2024, we sincerely appreciate you all for your contributions, support, prayers, and tireless efforts to record another huge successful outing,” Wasiu Abayomi, president of the AYJ, said in a general WhatsApp message.

“And why was it such a success?” The Gleaner asked of the event that was held recently to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the AYJ.

The president replied: “The event was a success with a large turnout of attendees. The atmosphere was lovely and colourful with the introduction of a live Yoruba musical band, the food, dance group, and general floor dance by members. The event also brings back old high-school memories when I engaged each table with old school songs … . Lastly, the support that we received from Jamaicans was overwhelming.”

One attendee responded: “The music was really nice. It reminded me so much of the music of Fela Ransome-Kuti and Sunny Ade. The atmosphere was very vibrant, the dances were so lively, and everybody was so happy and pleasant. As for the food, oh my God, it was really delicious. I was very happy I went, and it was a very memorable evening … I just loved it. Thank you so very much.”

The Yorubas are one of Nigeria’s biggest ethnic groups, and many of them are living and working in various professional endeavours here in Jamaica. The Alliance of Yorubas in Jamaica was launched last year, and the cultural exposition showcase is expected to be an annual event, according to Wasiu Abayomi.

Acting Nigerian High Commissioner to Jamaica Tajudeen E. Abdulkadir and some of his colleagues from the Nigerian High Commission were in attendance. He is the minister counsellor and has been acting in the capacity as no commission has been appointed since the departure of Dr Maureen P. Tamuno.

“I want to seize this unique golden opportunity to congratulate the executive members of the Yoruba Alliance who are keeping up to their mandate over the past year. Once more, I wish to commend all executive members of the Alliance of Yorubas in Jamaica for your efforts in making today’s event a colourful and memorable occasion,” he told the gathering at the Alfred Sangster Auditorium at the University of Technology Jamaica.

“Yoruba, being one of the major tribes in Nigeria, is unique and known as very civilised people, well-organised and articulated. All the members of your association are enjoined to uphold the integrity of Yorubas and be a good ambassador of Yoruba and Nigeria in general. As your association celebrates its one-year anniversary today, I wish to enjoin all the members of the Alliance of Yorubas in Jamaica to remain on track and focus on delivering the cardinal objective of the association.”

High Commissioner Tajudeen E. Abdulkadir also requested the AYJ to have cordial working relationships with the other three Nigerian sister associations – Association of Nigerians in Jamaica (ANJ), Association of NDIGBO in Jamaica, and Committee of Friends – that were established before the AYJ.

“Indeed, punctuality and active participation of all the members of AYJ in activities of the ANJ is crucial, [the ANJ] being the umbrella body for all other Nigerian associations,” he advised.

He also applauded the AYJ for its “harmonious working relationship” with the Nigerian High Commission and said it “should always feel free to contact the mission on consular matters for immediate solution when the need arises”.

“On a special note,” he said, “I want to urge all Nigerians living in Jamaica to always be law-abiding and be a good representative of Nigeria in the host country. Let us embrace one another and extend love for each other in order to strengthen our unity in diversity.”