Social/Kiddies
‘We Use Dance To Inspire Youths Positively’
Dance is a series of steps and movements of the body that match the speed and rhythm of a piece of music. Earliest findings have attributed the origins of ancient dances in old India or Egypt .However, Radcliffe-Brown in 1994 defined dance as a cultural practice and social ritual with a means of aesthetic pleasure which is good for establishing ties and specific structure in community.
According to Deanna Frazie,’’Life is a dance, you learn as you go. Sometimes you lead and sometimes you follow”. Top ten types of dance include Ballet,Tap Tap, Jazz, Modern, Lyrical, Hip Hop,Contemporary, Highland Dancing and Traditional Dance.
Over the years, youths have been inspired through dancing. This had led to local youths using dancing to inspire other youngsters. For instance, youths were inspired by the “King of Pop” Michael Jackson, artistic work as he stood out the most with his unique and interesting style. This inspired these young people to take a journey into dancing and travelling through communities in America using dance and creative arts in order to inspire and uplift the lives of cast down youths.
Here in Rivers State, Nigeria, a Rivers based dance group, Grace Factors which is into dancing also, but with a different mission of inspiring children, teenagers and youths and also evangelizing for the Kingdom of God.
Grace Factors,which started in March,2021 was formed from a non denominational fellowship-”The Inspired” -a christian fellowship.
The group is composed of seven members,six males and one female aged between 15 and 26 years. Speaking in an interview with The Tide, leader of the group, Mr Geoffrey Emmanuel, a private School Teacher said that the group was formed owing to the situation many youths have found themselves . Many of them are depressed because of the situation of things in the country.
”Last year, after a youth programme with the theme,”Ablaze” by a church in Port Harcourt, five of us came together to form Grace Factors. We dance at events.We are working hard on our dance and hope to start our own live programmes. We would also do video recording to inspire the young people through our dance ; he said . He further stated that they would communicate to the youths the emotionas from the dance which would change their attitudes towards being good citizens.
Another member of the group, Mr Promise Orolisen, a student of the department of Physics, Rivers State University, and a member of Christ Embassy Church joined the group after the youth programme last year.
According to him,” I got to know about the “inspiredprogramme through publicity and I attended and was blessed. At the end of the show, I met the leader of the group who Harcourt studying Physics/Electronics Technology was encouraged by the leader of the group to join them through his expressions at the programme.
According to Frank,” I love dancing. Dancing makes me feel inspired to feel among and be happy. It makes me forget worries. Dancing with the group does not affect my studies in any way because we do rehearsals during weekends. Saturday by 12 noon and Sunday by 3.00pm.
The only female in the group,Miss Esther Bobmanuel,a student of Rivers State University studying Business Education said,she joined the group because her uncle,who was the host of the youth programme “inspired” at the Baptist Church encouraged her to join the group.
She further stated that,dancing was her hobby.” I love dancing and this is an avenue to express my dancing skills to inspire and encourage other youths. I feel happy and fulfilled that I am actually doing what I want to do apart from academics. It is not affecting my academics. My parents know that I come for practise and they allow me to come . I’m sure our group with actualise the dream of wining souls for Christ . For good rhythm, we pick songs from Nigerian and foreign artistes and create our dance steps”, she added.
All over the world, dancing has been recognised as having the potentials of initiating positive changes, especially in the lives of youths.
Dancing is life itself says Havelock Ellis.
However, according to research findings, introducing dancing early in life to young people is very important. This could start by playing music to your baby during pregnancy. This act can help stimulate the baby’s brain and can start as early as five months before birth. Users have been reported feeling increased movement or “dancing” from their belly. Research also proves that babies are actually born with the act to move their bodies in response to music . Because of this, creating musical situations and encouraging then to dance is a wonderful way to help children and young people develop their personality and foster social interaction.
Dancing is very good for children and young people . The movement involved is a powerful brain development tool. Dancing has been proven to stimulate the vestibular receptors in the brain,which are nerve endings located in the inner ear. Almost any movement can stimulate the brain through these receptors and active vestibular systems helps set the foundation for all learning. Also, dancing at an early age helps children develop spatial awareness and learn more about their body’s movement abilities. This in addition would improve their hearts, lungs and bones and also increase their strength, stamina and flexibility.
The physical movements of dance have been shown to reduce levels of stress, anxiety and depression. This helps to elevate dopamine and endorphins, two neurotransmitters responsible for feelings of pleasure and happiness.
By: Ibinabo Ogolo
Social/Kiddies
Need For Girl-Child Education In Society
Girl-child education is a way by which a girl- child is being exposed through formal education for proper education.
It is a process whereby a girl-child is being exposed to some certain things according to “teachmit@wp”.
Girl-child education refers to the aspect of education that ends at developing the skills and knowledge of girls and women no matter their backgrounds.
Some parents think that educating a girl- child is wasting of their resources. No. When a female child is educated, it gives her that respect even the husband cannot treat her anyhow because he will know her worth.
The importance of educating the girl- child cannot be overemphasised. It helps to empower the country and makes them have a better life. Once they are educated, they realise the importance of exhibiting good hygiene habits.
It may interest you to know that when a girl-child is educated, she has a sense of belonging in the society. In Nigeria nowadays, they have the potential of becoming governors, chairmen of local government areas, among others.
The tendency of taking cognisance of the importance of reduction in child bearing is high. When a woman is educated, the level in which she will give birth will reduce considering the dangers inherent.
Firstly, she will calculate herself and know when to conceive, although with the consent of her husband and the numbers of children she wants.
A girl who is educated will know how to educate her children properly. She will be of good benefits to the family.
Truly, a girl who is not properly educated will suffer lack of knowledge, fall into early marriage which will lead into early pregnancy. Some of these can cause domestic violence.
Women need education because without proper knowledge, a woman cannot run her home properly. A woman that is educated leads her home aright.
Some men use and take advantage of uneducated women by rendering all kinds of abuses on them, some rape their wives in course of making love and others insults their wives in public all because there is no education. In life, males and females should be educated without discrimination.
Furthermore, educating a girl-child is like investing in a big business that one will not run into a loss.
According to Dr Shaifali, girls’ education is like sowing the seed which gives rise to a revitalised, cheerful and full-grown family plants.
She also said educated women have the capacity to bring socio- economic changes.
Growing up from the family of three, my father told me that he was not ready to train a female child and when I asked why, he said: ” because when you will grow and become great, then, a man will come from nowhere and marry you and all my money will be wasted. When you marry, your name will be changed that means all your riches and wealth will become your husband’s own because you people are one”.
Frankly, I was very bitter with myself and I started questioning God that why was I not created as man, but I took it upon myself that weather the devil likes it or not, I will prove my father wrong by going to school and I will show the difference.
As parents when training children we should not think less of any child because every child is important and have value.
Every child is a blessing from God. This is a clarion call to all men of our present society to accord their wives the respect they deserve. A man can develop his wife after marriage.
Education plays an important role in the life of a girl-child. Let every girl-child be educated. The government should provide the society with basic amenities such as good schools that are well-equipped.
Parents from time to time should be re-oriented in this regard taking cognisance of the importance of developing the girl-child. None should be misled by saying that the girl-child need not attend formal education.
Since some parents do not have the wherewithal to sponsor their children, governments at all levels should introduce free education to give room for equal opportunity. Bursary payment should be re-introduced in all higher educational institutions.
Education is the bedrock of any society therefore women education cannot end in the kitchen.
Princess Npapa
Princess Npapa is a student of Pan Africa Institute of Management and Technology.
Social/Kiddies
Celebrating Woman As An Icon Of Strength
A woman is a dynamic multifaceted individual who embodies resilience, courage and determination.
She is a game changer and a force to be reckon with, a confidant empowered, supportive, adaptable and inspirational.
Many had asked why women are being celebrated even as recorded in calendar so frequently unlike men and I said, a woman being multifaceted and embodies resilience and determination is worth being celebrated unlike in the 80s when women were meant to understand that their place was in the kitchen of their husbands’ houses.
What an amazing level of development where women can choose a career and work on themselves and know that there is more to life than being in the kitchen and ending up in a man’s house with nothing to show for it.
Women are the strongest versions of the gender of humans in the world even in their silence, women hold a depth of emotions, questions and unspoken thoughts. Their smiles often conceal their true feelings, masking their fears, doubts and desires.
Despite these challenges, women continue to rise above, shattering glass ceilings and pushing boundaries.
Today innovative, women are enterprenuers, leaders, and change agents. Inspiring women like Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Chimamanda Adichie and many others have paved the way for future generation, their achievements serve as testaments to women’s strength, resilience and capabilities.
The calendar tell us how unique the woman is and her significance in the home and society at large. As a woman, she holds power and I celebrate every woman out there in the world irrespective of how you may have fallen, you shall rise above the challenges, support one another and celebrate collective strength and resilience.
Woman as an icon of strength is not just about individual achievements but creating supportive networks, uplifting others and celebrating collective success, defying expectations and redefining what it means to be a strong woman.
The strength and bravery of women are worthy of celebration by the entire world as none is unique as the epitome of nation builders, character molders and pacesetters not just in their family but to the society at large.
A woman is a selfless mother, lover and care giver to her family, a daughter who supports her parents, as a sister’s unshakeable bond with her siblings and a friends unconditional empathy and understanding.
These acts of kindness and love are not most times talked about but hold families and communities together and bonding strong women are powerful beings who have impacted the society, shaping the foundation of the world from the 80s to date, I personally want to celebrate all the icons of strength who had fought and are still fighting , that our voices as women are heard even unto the ends of time.
I celebrate you all amazing women for standing strong and paving ways for the future generation for equality, justice and human rights. To the rising child, teenager and adults who happen to be a ‘woman’, I celebrate our collective efforts, our strength in helping one another to rise, irrespective of our differences in our backgrounds.
We are super humans, unique beings, no wonder the Bible acknowledges the importance of our strength. Therefore, let’s celebrate every woman out there.
Kate Chisom Isiocha
Isiocha, is a student of Temple Gate Polytechnic.
Social/Kiddies
Children And Basics Of Family
It is the idea of God that family should exit. Children form part of the family. God loves family so much that Jesus was born into the family of Joseph.
Everyone’s family is good and important. Children should not look down on their family whether they are rich or poor.
Children should respect and honour their family and foster love among their siblings. They should work together and make peace in the family. They should always stand in the gap. It is good for family members to carry all along since everyone may not be doing well.
The Christianity that children learn is practised in family. Faith-based organisations do a great job in moulding children’s character. Those are the behaviours that children exhibit towards siblings in family.
Every child born in a family is there for a purpose. A baby born into a family is supplying something. It may be joy, wealth and so on. Everyone is important in a family.
Adolescents who have graduated from school but may not be contributing financially can do one or two things at home. You can engage in preparing meals at home while parents are away for a job or business. Contributing in house chores will go a long way to relieve parents of stress after a day’s job.
What do you contribute to your family, especially during holidays both in nuclear and extended family?
The family you were born is constant but friends are temporary. You can decide not to continue in friendship but you cannot cut off your family. No matter how bad you think your family is and you decide to leave home, you must surely return. Your friends can harbour you for a while.
The child’s first identity comes from the family. What the child learns first comes from the family.
Family is the centre of love and care. People have started playing down on marriage because of neglect on basics of family. Marriage starts today and and the next few months, it is threatened. Respect for family plays a crucial role in marriage.
No child grows without parental control and influence. If a child refuses to grow without taking instructions from parents, he may grow up being wild. There are consequences when children do not obey their parents. There are those who want to be rebellious against their parents. They should know that their length of days are tied to their parents.
Your bioligical parents know you more than every other person. There is the wisdom and knowledge your parents have that you do not so it is proper to listen to them before choosing carriers both in academics and job. A young man or woman can choose who to get married to, but a greater role in the choice of who to marry and the marriage proper comes from the parents.
They know what is best for you. No matter how modern trends will influence you and prove it wrong, parent is the key. No one can love you more than your parents because they are your blood.
A lot of parents have been traumatised due to the fact that children they nurtured and trained turned their back on them at older age. Children should not abandon their parents for any reason.
As you grow up, situations may arise in marriage when you decide it is over with your spouse, but no matter the level of provocation with your parents, they will not despise you. Parents will also play a role in that regard. Problem arises in every family but how it is handled matters a lot.
Some children honour their mentors more than their parents. Although there are parents who shy away from their responsibilities. It is important that parents take full responsibility of their children. You cannot bring a child to the planet earth and refuse to perform roles as a parent. But parents may not quantify what they spent from childhood to adolescence. That is a blessing children cannot get from another person.
There are people who have attributed their failure in life to the fact that their parents, especially mothers are witchcraft. It is wrong to feel that your mother is instrumental to your failure in life. The only way to success is hardwork.
Let money not determine the level of love for your parents. Wherever a child goes, family is constant.
Eunice Choko-Kayode
-
Politics14 hours ago
No Southerner Can Successfully Challenge Tinubu In 2027 – Momodu
-
Nation32 mins ago
HYPREP Inducts 100 Ogoni Youths For Creative Arts Training
-
Niger Delta15 hours ago
Falling Trees Destroy Properties In Calabar
-
News14 hours ago
Three Judges Suspended As NJC Voids Imo Acting CJ’s Appointment
-
Business14 hours ago
FG Introduces Zinc Rice Varieties For Food Safety
-
News12 hours ago
Okpebholo Approves New Minimum Wage Of N75,000 For Edo Workers
-
Politics14 hours ago
NASS To Prioritise Workers’ Welfare, Akpabio Assures Labour On May Day
-
Niger Delta15 hours ago
Federal Workers Shun Protest In C’River