By Emma Arubi
Exhibition of rare expertise in drum beating skill has earned an 11-year old primary school pupil a scholarship award to University Level.
Master Emmanuel Etsede, a Primary six pupils of Scholar Nursery and Primary School Sapele, Delta State was spotted at a traditional cultural display in memory of the late Hon. Benson. E.O Asin residence on Sunday as he handled the largest Itsekiri traditional drum (oji) that controls and regulate the intricate dance steps of all dancers and the leader of the group in particular that held all spectators spell bound for several hours non-stop.
It was this spectacular dexterity that caught the attention and fancy of Mr. Macaulay Asin that spurred him to move to the young boy and awarded him the scholarship grant to enable the boy also pursue academics to boost his education and encourage him to continue his drumming per excellence.
According to Mr. Macaulay Asin, the young boy mastery of playing that very complex piece of traditional drum is worth encouraging, saying that “ I don’t know him before . This is the drum many adult drummers cannot handle”.
The awardee who is from Gbokoda Community in Warri Delta North L.G.A of Delta State disclosed to newsmen that he started drumming at the age of 5 years haven learnt the skill from his father, a renowned drummer and dancer in Benin River axis of warri Kingdom.
Master Emmanuel Etsede thanked his benefactor profusely and prayed to God to grant him more blessing for the scholarship gesture even as he promised not to disappoint him both in his drumming prowess and academics.
The pronouncement of award by Mr. Macaulay was greeted with thunderous applause from the mammoth crowd followed by prayers from family members, dance groups and spectators alike.
