FULOKOJA English Students Celebrate Heritage at 'Echoes of Tradition' Cultural Festival

The Department of English and Literary Studies at Federal University Lokoja (FUL) turned into a vibrant display of colours and sounds on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, as students hosted the Oral Cultural Festival.

Themed "Echoes of Tradition: Preserving Culture," the event served as the practical assessment for the course ELS 333: Oral Literature.

 It brought together students to showcase the rich heritage of ten different ethnic groups: Ibibio, Ebira, Igala, Igbo, Nupe, Hausa, Idoma, Edo, Yoruba, and Urhobo.

Meanwhile, the Course Lecturer, Dr. Abba Abba, who coordinated the event alongside Dr. Barnabas Oluwatoyin, explained that the festival carries a heavy weight of 40 marks. 

However, he emphasized that the value goes far beyond grades. "This course gives our students a sense of belonging and cultural pride," Dr. Abba stated. 

"We want to see how they identify with their roots. Interestingly, some students have never visited their villages but have used the internet and research to reconnect with their identity."

In his remarks, the Chairman, Panel of Judges, Prof. Abel Joseph also provided charges to the students, emphasizing the importance of "ethnic self-canonization", the act of celebrating and documenting one's own cultural stories.

Nevertheless, the festival was not just a performance but a competition judged on authenticity, performance time, and stagecraft.

Felicia Oyiza Usman, a 300-level student, emerged as the overall best individual performer from the Ebira tribe. In her reaction, she said "I am overwhelmed. This wasn't just about the marks for me; it was about representing the strength of my people through oral performance," she said.

Also, the best-performing group, the Yoruba group took the top spot for their seamless coordination and energetic delivery.

In his reaction, Joseph Aduragbemi, the group leader, credited their success to intense rehearsals and a deep respect for the Yoruba oral tradition.

The event received a significant boost from Dr. Tosin Olagunju, Director of the Directorate of Strategic Communication and Corporate Documentation.