Training of youths in dance would create employment- Stakeholder

A dance instructor, Tony Offiong, on Wednesday said that practical training in dance through formal education would sharpen the skills of youths and adults in the profession to become self-reliant.

Offiong, the Chief Executive Officer, JIIMBAY Dance Company said in Lagos that skilled dancers would also fetch them good revenue from the vocation.

“Nigeria is endowed with different genres of dance and we have to start developing them to encourage the would-be practitioners become professionals,” the stakeholder in the dance industry said.

He said that dancers participating in various dance competitions organised by different dance companies and groups would acquire a variety of experiences.

They would also be able to compete with their peers from other countries, he said.

“With competitions organized, governments and private sector can come in to help promote the act and we can have a thriving artistic community.

“ They can achieve this by sponsoring dancing competitions among youths, as it was being done in other countries.
“With that, we will have the opportunities to showcase our dance at international dance festivals,” he said.
Offiong also said that training of youths in dance would create employment for many of them, thereby, removing them from the streets.

He said that there were various dance genres that youths could learn from to make them first-rate professionals.

“There are: ballet, classical ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, choreography that students need to be exposed to.

“There are dance history, social dance, modern technique, research and creativity on most of the dances that need to be upgraded all the time,” he said.

He, however, identified lack of professional schools, good structures and infrastructure in the privately-owned companies as challenges that needed to be addressed.

Offiong said that many dance instructors were willing and ready to teach the youths and adults but they were being hampered by challenges identified above.
“Dance requires training and experience that will likely provide knowledge, skills and abilities.’’