CANADIAN GATEWAY HIGH SCHOOL OKOTA CELEBRATES BEAUTY IN DIVERSITY
By Mcanthony Onuoha
Lagos- 17/07/26
The Canadian Gateway High School, Okota, Lagos, on Thursday, 16 July, 2026, with pomp and pageantry, celebrated beauty in diversity as it marked its annual Cultural Day themed “One World, Many Culture.”
DR. HON. TIMOTHY AWOGBEMI, FNIM, FIOD, CHAIRMAN, CANADIAN GATEWAY SCHOOL.
The school landscape was all shades of beauty as students and teachers as well as parents and guardians graced the event clad in diverse cultural outfits representing Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, Edo, and the Niger Delta.
The organizational artistry and splendor that characterized the occasion mesmerized anyone with aesthetic sense, as what turned to be a cultural carnival sufficiently showcased the glory of Lagos as a cosmopolitan city as well as the grandeur and genuine collaboration that exist in a rancour- free multi-ethnic society.
In his opening remarks, the Chairman of Canadian Gateway High School, Okota, Lagos, Dr Timothy Awogbemi, said that the annual Cultural Day was included in the school calendar not only just for the fun of it, but to foster ethnic tolerance and continued unity in diversity.
He described the occasion as a platform for children to appreciate their cultural differences and learn to accommodate one another at all times.
Awogbemi emphasized the importance of building a society where people from varying nationalities, ethnicities, and cultural backgrounds live together equitably, respecting one another’s differences while functioning as members of the same local community.
Cultural dance, stage drama, and poetic renditions as well as other performances in diverse dialects chiefly centered on traditional marriages, family values and festivities. Culinary experiences of divers ethnic groups were shared as well.
Children and their parents, including teachers, seized the opportunity to express themselves in style and taste. The colourful traditional apparels, carriage that projected elegance and prestige with a blend of traditional songs and cultural dance added so much glamour to the event.
In the end, there was awards presentation to the winner for Best Ethnic Group and Best Dressed Couple.
Pix: Dr Timothy Awogbemi 3rd from left, and Some of the dignitaries at the event
Among dignitaries that graced the event were High Chief Alhaji Yahaya Abiodun Lawal Arowo- Oye, Otunba – Oba of Isolo, High Chief Alhaji Kabir Ademola Agbabiaka, Jagun of Awori Nation, High Chief Wasiu Alani Arowo Oye, Bada of Isolo, (Former Regent of Isolo), High Chief Jimoh Rasaki, the Mogaji of Isolo, Prince Ibe Arinze, and other personalities too numerous to mention.
