National Troupe seeks youth engagement in cultural preservation

The National Troupe of Nigeria (NTN) has emphasised the critical need to engage young Nigerians in arts and cultural activities.

Hajia Kaltume Bulama-Gana, Artistic Director of NTN, said this in an interview on the sidelines of a workshop on Friday in Lagos state.

The event, organised by GOTHAD in collaboration with The National Arts Theatre and NTN, was part of activities to commemorate World Drummers Day 2025.

She said this would help ensure the continuity of the country’s rich artistic heritage.

The event featured training sessions, where the participants were exposed to different kinds of drums and their unique sounds.

Also, participants showcased traditional Nigerian rhythms from the Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa tribes.

Bulama-Gana said the magic of drums was its unifying effect for all black people around the world.

“Anywhere you see Africans, whether in Africa or out of the diaspora, they are united by the power of the beauty of the drums.

“The sound of it, the vibrance of it.

“Everybody has a rhythm that he follows with the sound he hears, but the sound of the drum is the one that unifies these rhythms and it breaks us all into one whole community,” she said.

According to Bulama-Gana, it is important to train young talents and foster their interest in arts, including drumming, through structured programmes to avoid losing the nation’s cultural heritage.

“Any society that wants a continuation of its arts and culture must involve the young ones.

“If we don’t provide training and get them excited through programmes like this , we risk losing our cultural heritage within a generation,” she said.

Acknowledging the challenges of drummers, including inadequate access to quality equipment and rehearsal spaces, Bulama-Gana expressed optimism that government initiatives and infrastructural improvements would resolve these issues.

“We have a challenge with the National Theatre not being fully operational but the government is prioritising infrastructure.

“Soon, artists will have proper venues to celebrate and exhibit their craft,” she said.

Also, Grace Olatunji, GOTHAD’s committee chairperson of the World Drummers Day 2025, said the event was aimed at inspiring younger generations to engage with traditional music.

She emphasised the importance of preserving traditional drumming as a core element of Nigeria’s cultural heritage.

“Our culture is fading due to modernisation but events like this helps young people develop an interest in drumming and cultural heritage.

“If they take an interest, they will want to learn more, ensuring that our traditions do not disappear,” Olatunji said.

Olatunji, who has mastered at least five types of drums said: “It is crucial for young people to learn and identify these unique musical traditions.”

One of the participants, Edmund Olugbamila, said though he could play some drums prior to his attending the workshop, he had learned new things.

Olugbamila, who is a student of Bright Achievers School, said he would love to pursue a career in drumming because of the entertainment it provides.

“This workshop has helped me learn the things I didn’t know before, like Gbedu, Djembe and Sato,” he said.

He hoped to get a scholarship to enable him get the required training, to achieve his dream of becoming a professional drummer.

The event showcased over 200 traditional drums, which varied across different parts of Nigeria, with distinct sounds and rhythms.

Among the drums on display were the dundun, bata, bembe, takoro, and udu, with distinctive sounds and cultural significance.

No fewer than 200 children from Adtoks Nursery and Primary School, Bright Achievers School and Goshen Orphanage Home attended the workshop.

The children were exposed to various types of drums, from different regions of the nation, and also how to recognise sounds from the drums.

About 100 children, who excelled during the performances, were also awarded certificates.

NAN / Foluke Ibitomi