The Panther

The African Student Association celebrated Nigeria's independence Monday, Oct. 1.

The two part celebration, the first-ever to be held on the campus, began in the MSC with Nigerian music, video clips and dancers.

The celebration was moved to the student park where students were allowed to participate in a variety of activities designed to expose them to Nigerian culture.

Nigeria, a country in West Africa, gained independence from Great Britain in 1960.

ASA is an organization dedicated to educating the public about African heritage. Nenaji Agbolabori, president of ASA and of Nigerian descent, said his goal was to create an event that would "bring Africans and non-Africans together."

The celebration was complete with plenty of games, food and excitement.

A disc jockey played a mix of hip hop and African music throughout the evening and students entered a dance competition for a ten dollar prize and danced down the soul train line. ASA members served catered Nigerian style rice and chicken.

When asked what her favorite part of the party was Erina Imasogie, a sophomore, said "the food and music."

Energy mounted when the president and vice president of Prairie View's Productive Poets, Outspoken and Nine, performed poetry for the crowd.

Some people came dressed in Nigerian traditional clothing or in green and white, representing the Nigerian flag.

Eric Jimenez, president of the Prairie View chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens, attended the event to support a fellow minority club and to talk with Agbolabori about creating a joint multicultural conference. Jimenez enjoyed the food saying, "It tastes like Mexican rice."

At the end of the event, comment cards were given to the attendees allowing them to rank the party's success.

According to Yetunde Olusanya, a sophomore and member of ASA, "The party was a huge success."

Agbolabori encouraged everyone to attend ASA meetings which are held on Tuesdays in the Banks building, Room 204.

Article Tools