Mkpokiti Cultural Troupe & Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa 5 Naira Nigeria Authentic Banknote Money for Collage (Polymer) (Drummers) Dance

Mkpokiti Cultural Troupe & Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa 5 Naira Nigeria Authentic Banknote Money for Jewelry and Collage (Polymer)

Reverse: Mkpokiti Dance.
On the left, see-through plastic window of schematic Nigeria Coat of Arms
Lettering: CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
5
FIVE
NAIRA

Obverse: Portrait of Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa (1912–1966) was a Nigerian politician who was the first and only Prime Minister of Nigeria.
Lettering: CENTRAL BANK
OF NIGERIA
5
FIVE
NAIRA

Features
Issuer Nigeria
Period Federal Republic (1963-date)
Type Standard banknote
Years 2009-2021
Value 5 Naira
5 NGN = USD 0.012
Currency Naira (1973-date)
Composition Polymer
Size 130 × 72 mm
Shape Rectangular
Number N# 204640
References P# 38

Shocking Reasons Dancers Appeared At The Back Of 5 Naira Note
By Tosin Ishowo -Sep 24, 2021.

If you look at the back of the 5 Naira Note you will notice a group of people that look like acrobats.

Well, those people are actually a group of cultural dancers Identified as the Mkpokiti Cultural dance group.

Even if you have never seen them in real life, they actually exist.

Whatever is displayed on the Nigerian currency actually exists, let’s take a look at how this dance group ended up at the back of the 5 Naira note.

In the year 1959, the late Chief Festus Okoli who was also identified as Ojimba formed the cultural dance group.

This dance group was formed in Anambra State and they have been in existence ever since.

This particular group of dancers are quite different from other dancers, they do their things with so much passion and get the audience excited.

Even though the group was formed in the year 1959, it became popular in the year 1970.

That particular day different states came to Lagos to celebrate the Civil war that had just ended.

That was the opportunity for the dance group to showcase their talents to the crowd.

The dance group were able to dazzle the crowd with their cool moves and proved to be the best group in the country.

On that very day they won the sum of 3000 pounds, they also won a golden gong as the winner of the competition.

The Mkpokiti group is said to have never taken the second position when it comes to competitions, they always come out victorious.

This special dance by the Cultural group made them popular all over the country.

Back then when the 5 Naira note was introduced in 1973 by Yakubu Gowon, the front part of the note had the face of Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa.

The Mkpokiti dance group were given the opportunity to grace the front of the 5 Naira note. The picture of that particular dance group have been behind the 5 Naira note ever since then.

It was due to how triumphant the group was that made Anambra State Government accept the Cultural dancers to represent them in any dance competition.

The group was also made the ambassador of the country at the world level.

The group have represented Nigeria in so many parts of the world.

In the year 1978, the dance group won the cultural dance world cup. The dance group is still functioning even today, they are still as good as they were in the past.
Source: https://www.ekohotblog.com/2021/09/24/shocking-reasons-dancers-appeared-at-the-back-of-5-naira-note/

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WIkipedia:
Prior to Nigeria's independence, a constitutional conference in 1954 had adopted a regional political framework for the country, with all regions given a considerable amount of political freedom. The three regions then were composed of diverse cultural groups. The premiers and some prominent leaders of the regions later took on a policy of guiding their regions against political encroachment from other regional leaders. Later on, this political environment influenced the Balewa administration. His term in office was turbulent, with regional factionalism constantly threatening his government.

However, as Prime Minister of Nigeria, he played important roles in the continent's formative indigenous rule. He was an important leader in the formation of the Organisation of African Unity and creating a cooperative relationship with French speaking African countries. He was also instrumental in negotiations between Moise Tshombe and the Congolese authorities during the Congo Crisis of 1960–1964. He led a vocal protest against the Sharpeville Massacre of 1960 and also entered into an alliance with Commonwealth ministers who wanted South Africa to leave the Commonwealth in 1961. However, a treason charge and conviction against one of the western region's leaders, Obafemi Awolowo, led to protest and condemnation from many of his supporters. The 1965 election in the region later produced violent protests. Rioting and violence were soon synchronous with what was perceived as inordinate political encroachment and an over-exuberant election outcome for Awolowo's western opponents.

As Prime Minister of Nigeria, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, from 1960 to 1961, doubled as Foreign Affairs advocate of Nigeria. In 1961, the Balewa government created an official Foreign Affairs and Commonwealth Relations ministerial position in favour of Jaja Wachuku who became, from 1961 to 1965, the first substantive Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Commonwealth Relations, later called External Affairs.

Overthrow
He was overthrown and murdered in a military coup on 15 January 1966, as were many other leaders, including his old companion Sir Ahmadu Bello. The circumstances of his death still remain unresolved. His body was discovered at a roadside near Lagos six days after he was ousted from office. Balewa was buried in Bauchi. News of his assassination spurred violent riots throughout Northern Nigeria and ultimately led to the bloody counter-coup of July 1966.

Today, his portrait adorns the 5 Naira Note. The Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University in Bauchi is named in his honour.

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Wikipedia:
The coat of arms of Nigeria consists of a black shield with a wavy white pall, symbolizing the meeting of the Niger and Benue Rivers at Lokoja. The black shield represents Nigeria's fertile soil, while the two supporting horses or chargers on each side represent dignity. The eagle represents strength, while the green and white bands on the top of the shield represent the rich soil.

The red flowers at the base are Costus spectabilis, Nigeria's national flower. This flower was chosen for inclusion in the coat of arms as it is found all over Nigeria and also stand for the beauty of the nation. On the banderole around the base is Nigeria's national motto since 1978: "Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress" (formerly "Peace, Unity, Freedom").