Pomp, as Nigerian cultures take centre stage in Church

The Word and Spirit Assembly Church, Lagos, was a bevy of activities recently, as it celebrated the country’s cultural diversity in grand style. The event, which featured fashion show, cultural dances and dramas was part of activities that marked the end of the church’s family month tagged Traditional Sunday.

Speaking on the event, the funder and Senior Pastor of the church, Dr. Chris Ekeh, who dressed in flowing white robe with a red-cap to match, explained that the essence of the celebration was to reunite the congregation with their roots. He argued, however, that celebrating our cultural heritage in the church is not as demonic as many have perceived it to be.

The colourful event saw the church celebrating the different cultures and ethnic languages in Nigeria as never before. Members dressed in their different traditional outfits, depicting their roots and worshiping God in different ethnic languages and tongues. It was indeed a moment of happy reunion with the people’s culture in the house of God. The experience would remain gray in the minds of the excited congregation.

However, beyond the razzmatazz, the highpoint of the day was a traditional fashion parade, which saw three male contestants as well as three female contestants emerging winners, and walking away with awards and cash prizes ranging from N50,000 (for 1st prize), to N25,000 and N15,000 for 2nd and third prize winners respectively.

The children were not left out, as the best traditionally dressed child won a cash prize of N15,000, while the second and third best traditionally dressed children won cash prizes of N10,000 and N5,000.

Winners for the best-dressed traditional attire for the male are Elder Chijioke Chukwu, who took the 1st position; while Mr. Ugochukwu Snooze and a visitor came second and third respectively. Sister Matilda Chidinma emerged the best-dressed female contestant, while Sister Happiness Uzoho and Deaconess Ify Nweze came second as well as the third position.

On his own, Pastor Ekeh, presented the awards and cash prizes to the winners and declared that next year would be bigger and rewarding.