…American citizen speaks on her interest and ‘Yoruba Day’

An American citizen, Nikki Spooner, who is putting Nigeria on the cultural world map, has given reasons behind her action.

Spooner said she was fascinated by the Nigerian culture, hence her decision to help in its propagation around the globe.

The lady who recently held a “Yoruba Day” at the Peoples Convention Centre, Dallas, Texas, US where traditional rulers joined other personalities to attend the event, said that the culture and artistic skills of the Yoruba ethnic group from Nigeria were on display.

Spooner stated that she organized the event in conjunction with Wole Akanni Duro-Ladipo and Ologundudu.

She stressed on her mission: “There are too many Nigerians living in America and giving birth to children here that never get the chance to teach their children African values and beliefs, and American society begins to mold them unconsciously.”

The songster, who holds a Master’s degree in International Business from Suffolk University, described herself as a self-motivated woman “who loves culture, music and entertainment.”

“I want to bring Yoruba people back to the cultural beliefs they grew up believing in and respecting, and the ones I cherish today,” Spooner said.

She added: “The focus of this program was to teach and promote Yoruba African culture and diversity in this culture.”

“I am a singer and I also teach people how to sing with an American accent.  I have performed in many churches and some events as well,” Spooner said proudly. 

“I can sing in five languages and I have acted in four Nigerian movies,” she added confidently.    “I believe that people don’t know or have forgotten why Yoruba culture is so amazing,” Spooner, who holds an associate degree in Music Theory from Berkeley College, said on the rationale behind the event.

The journey to her interest in the most populous country in Africa started from her first contact when she prior visited Nigeria.

“The truth is that my first experience in Nigeria was with Igbo people and I fell in love with Africa desiring to learn more,” Spooner said.

She said further: “I went to Lagos and fell in love with the music I was listening to (King Sunny Ade’s Merciful God) and as a musician the music was what attracted me first.  I said to myself that I love language.”

“As I started to learn more and more about Yoruba language I became interested in the culture and why people behaved with so much respect for their elders and siblings and as I started going to weddings and events I began to fall in love with traditions going all the way to traditional rulers and government officials,” she stressed.

Spooner further said that she was planning to organize the same program in Nigeria and London, but, however, stressed that her attention now is finding sponsors.

The Yoruba Day, she further said, was to promote a cordial relationship between US and Nigeria. 

“I would love to use this opportunity to showcase the cultural exchange between the US and Nigeria but I hope that people will use this opportunity to see it for what it’s worth,” she said.

“Yoruba and Nigerian culture are full of pride and respect and I don’t want to exploit it alone, but I want to share it with the world,” Spooner said matter-of-factly.