SPAN Promotes Youths

Sarah Boulos

The Founder, Society for Performing Arts in Nigeria (SPAN), Mrs Sarah Boulos, has said recently that the Nigerian youths needed extra encouragement in the world of Arts to achieve greatness in their areas of endeavour.

She told reporters in Lagos at the 1st Dance and Music Academy Graduation ceremony of SPAN held at the Eko Hotels that SPAN is here to educate and promote Nigerian youths in whatever they wanted to do in the world of Arts. ‘We have created opportunities and enabling environment for them and also make sure that they dialogue, develop and overcome limitations through the arts.’

Sarah explained that it is a healing and transformation tool to get where they want to be; adding that today, they are defined by what they do more than who they are. ‘For that reason, we motivate, encourage, reinforce, recognise, appreciate, nurture and engaged youths and others to further their talents in learning their acts. When people, especially youths, are encouraged to further their education or driven to excel in their heroic journey, the country benefits. There, we will see loyalty, integrity and dedication and transformation in our nation.'

According to her, SPAN would always give and encourage the richness and diversity of Nigeria’s culture and tradition, which will forever be nurtured, preserved and showcased for all to see and experience.

Meanwhile, she stressed that the academy would be a hub for creativity, where ‘our community will not only find a place to escape boredom, appreciate the craft, be inspired and be educated  but will also value it. ‘We regrettably announce the passing-on of one of our students, Zainab Raji before the end of last season. In honour of her, we opened a foundation.’              
The foundation’s hope is to challenge the mindset of youths and others; to be empowered to serve the nation and affect its environment then provide a promising future for the generation to come. While its aim is to set a world standard performing arts education in Nigeria it offers classes in professional stage acting, music and dance.

At the event, certificates were awarded to them and two people were given scholarships to further their dance act in France. ‘Already, 15 students indicated interest in the training in the academy for music and dance act but only nine was able to scale through,' she said.

SPAN is a registered non-governmental organisation founded in 2004, which seeks to provide the much needed opportunity for the talented and gifted persons, especially the children and youths, to express themselves through the arts.