Nigerian Republic wants to help Ilonggos on cassava technology
Iloilo City -- The Nigerian Republic wants to impart its technology in cassava to the Ilonggos as two of their officials are expected to witness next year's Dinagyang celebration.
Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Executive Director Ben Jimena said Republic of Nigeria wants to share their cassava technology to the Ilonggos through its Charge' d Affaires Mr. Dada Olisa and his assistant Samson Lateboje. The two are set to arrive in Iloilo City January next year to witness the Dinagyang celebration in honor of Sto. Niño.
The visit of the Nigerian officials in the city is not only a part of the promotion of the annual Dinagyang festival but to establish economic activity between the Nigerians and Ilonggos. The city is hoping to have new investments, more income and more jobs with the arrival of the two Nigerian officials.
Jimena said cassava is the staple food in Nigeria and they have a much better technology compared to ours when it comes to preservation and value adding scheme to the root crops particularly in making cassava yam.
He added that the Nigerian embassy has already made a contact on the different Nigerians who are now living in Iloilo City. They are hoping to have a vibrant community among the Nigerians and Ilonggos in the city.
Meanwhile, the city government has an estimated budget of P10 million for next year's celebration. Initially, they have set some P1 million for the cash prizes both in the Kasadyahan and grand ati contest.
Of the P1 million, P820,000 is alloted for prizes and trophies and P180,000 for medals and other contingency expenses that the foundation may incur regarding the activity.
In both contests, the winners will receive the same cash prize. The first prize for both Kasadyahan and grand ati is pegged to P100,000; for the 2nd prize, the winners will receive P60,000; third prize P40,000; 4th prize P20,000 and 5th P10,000.
Jimena added that a P10,000 cash prize will also be given to the winners in best in performance, best in choreography, best choreographer, best in costume, best costume and best in discipline.
The foundation will also give a subsidy of P200,000 for those tribes that have joined the barangay category for the past three years and are included in the top ten list. An initial funding of P90,000 is alloted to the tribes. The rest of the new tribes will only receive a subsidy of P75,000.