NAN-ELS-4
Culture
By Collins Yakubu-Hammer
Abuja, March 1, 2018 (NAN) Mr Louis Eriomala, the Acting Executive Secretary, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), has restated the institute’s commitment to implementing programmes for children and youths to enhance peaceful coexistence in the country.
Eriomala said this during his address at the Children’s Cultural Extravaganza on Thursday in Abuja.
The event with the theme: “Culture: A Strategic Tool for Peace, Unity and National Integration’’, brought together NO fewer than seven schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to showcase cultural performances.
Eriomala said that the children’s event was an offshoot of NICO’s Cultural Clubs Programme in secondary schools, designed to inculcate them rich cultural values.
“These values include honesty, hard-work, tolerance, patriotism, respect for elders and constituted authorities, respect for the sanctity of human life, shunning examination malpractices, cultism and indecent dressing.
“It is also a platform to stimulate their interest and pride in Nigerian cuisines, languages, dresses and many others.
“The theme was carefully chosen to underscore the importance of culture in fostering peace, unity, national integration and ultimately national development.
“This event is annually organised by NICO to demonstrate its appreciation of the strategic importance of children in the promotion and preservation of our cultural heritage,’’ the acting NICO scribe said.
The NICO boss said that if the young people could be sensitised and educated to understand the nexus between peace, unity and national development, Nigerians would have hope for a better future.
He maintained that it was important to emphasise to the young ones the values that bind and unite us which are far more than the things the divide us.
Eriomala appreciated the principals, teachers and students of schools that participated in the programmes.
Speaking earlier, Mrs Grace Gekpe, the Permanent secretary, Ministry of Information and Culture, said the country was blessed with a multifaceted cultural heritage which over time had served as a springboard for social integration and national unity.
Gekpe, represented by her Special Assistant, Mr Simon Tyungu, said it was common knowledge that Nigeria was being faced with various challenges of communal crises, farmers/herdsmen clashes and others.
She said that these had resulted in needless bloodshed.
“We must therefore understand that the ideology of our founding fathers was to use our cultural diversity in creating a stronger bond between us as a people.
“Our cultural diversity should not pose any form of threat to our peaceful coexistence but rather should be a unifying force.
“I wish to commend NICO for setting up this veritable platform that would instill the right values to our younger generation as they are the future of our great country.
“I encourage the young students, especially in this present time of modern innovation and influence by western world to know that, our culture is our identity,’’ Gekpe said.
Similarly, Alhaji Abdulai Muku, Director-General, National Gallery of Art (NGA), admonished Nigerians to take pride in their culture.
Muku, represented by Dr Evelyn Otaigbe, Director, Department of Educational service at the NGA, stressed that other countries respected Nigeria, because of the size and unity of the various ethnic groups.
“Other people abroad are scared of our unity; we should promote the unity in our diversity; children and youths should shun anything that is capable of causing disunity.
“NICO, NGA and National Orientation Agency should collaborate more with the ministry of culture because we have similar mandates; it will go a long way to entrench cultural values in all aspect of our lives.
“I appeal to students, teachers and guests here to go back and promote the unity that our founding fathers have laid for us,’’ Muku said.
The high points of the event were cultural dances and drama performances from students of schools at the event.
Schools that participated include: Wuse Secondary School; Junior Secondary School, Gwarinpa; Model Secondary School, Maitama and Junior Secondary School, Idu Sarki.
Others are Government Secondary School, Tudun Wada; Anglican Girls’ Grammar School, Apo and Top High School, Abuja.
Also, Abuja-based comedian, Gospel Alhaji was at hand to entertain guests with rib-cracking jokes. (NAN)
CMY/COF/EAL
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Edited by Oluyinka Fadare/Ekemini Ladejobi