Abuja, Nigeria - October 22, 2025 Glisten International Academy, Abuja, celebrated its annual Cultural Day, bringing together students, parents, and staff to promote cultural pride and modern skills. The Executive Director of the academy, Mr. Abba Saidu, said the event was more than a display of traditional attire and cuisine. He said it provided an opportunity to inspire young people to appreciate their cultural roots while equipping them with the skills needed to thrive in the 21st century. “For this year, we have a theme: ‘Leveraging 21st century skills and strategic partnership.’ And there’s no better time than now where technology is evolving and we’re showcasing our cultures. “Today, we have our music, the Afro beats all around the world. We have our kind of food, the movie industry. There are a lot of memes that come out of Nigeria. “And there are a lot of other things that also come into Nigeria. So how do we prepare our young ones to take advantage of the necessary skills, the 21st century skills? “Today, you are talking about AI. How do we tell those stories? I mean, there’s a lot still that needs to be told about our culture. “And believe me, people around the world, when they get to know about this culture, they find it rich. They are jealous of it and they are envious of it. And they want to be or they want to have those kinds of feelings,” he said. The Chief Executive of the academy, Dr. Samira Jibir, described the celebration as a moment of joy and national pride, emphasising the uniqueness of Nigeria’s cultural identity. “I am proudly Nigerian and it shows that we have all it takes to make this country greater. “Our heritage, our culture, everything about us is non-comparable. I cannot change it for anywhere in this world. And you can see the dresses, the culture, the attires, the dancing steps, the different cultural things taking place here today,” she said. The Chief Care Professional of the school, Mr. Segun Ajibola, stressed the need to raise children who are globally competent yet connected to their roots. “We have encouraged our parents to ensure that even though we are raising children for the global community, these children must also be deeply rooted in their culture. “That way, when they grow, they can represent and project everything our indigenous communities stand for,” he noted. A Grade 12 student, Ogbuabor Ekenechukwu, who represented the South-East culture, described the event as a melting pot of traditions and identities. “Everyone comes together with their different cultures, tribes, and traditions. We all want to celebrate diversity. It reminds us of our roots because everyone originates from somewhere,” he said. A parent, Mrs. Hafsat Yahaya, described Nigeria as an “amazing and awesome” country blessed with beauty, diversity, and unity. The Cultural Day featured colourful displays of traditional attire, music, dance, and food from the six geopolitical zones, reinforcing the message that unity in diversity remains one of Nigeria’s greatest strengths.