NAN-ELS-7
Culture
Abuja, Oct. 26, 2016 (NAN) A Tourism Consultant, Alhaji Yahaya Ndu says that the effective utilisation of Nigeria’s diverse cultures will ensure national integration, peace, unity and development.
Ndu made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday.
According to him, cultural diversity is a phrase generally used in describing a society with people of different ethnic roots, manifesting in their languages, mode of dressing, and the arts among others.
“Traditional practices of cultural diversity in Nigeria are highly valued and held in high esteem among ethnic groups, though some of the practices are either similar or distinctive to each group.’’
“I am not happy over the inadequate utilisation of Nigeria’s culture for national integration, peace, unity and development.
“Nigeria as a country is rich and its abundant cultural resources are yet to be fully tapped.’’
He decried the attitude of some Nigerians who were being cajoled to accept views of some unpatriotic politicians who practice tribalism.
“Education is therefore critical for cross-culture understanding, which would in turn promote greater peace and national harmony.
“Government should get involved here by instituting activities that promote peaceful co-existence in our schools.
“The school is a good place to start if we must instill the age long critical values of honesty, tolerance and loyalty in the young ones.’’
Ndu, however, urged Nigerians to take advantage of the diverse cultures to foster “Unity in Diversity,” instead of manipulating the diversity against the unity of the various societies for selfish purposes.
“The Federal Government recently launched a new philosophy of national re-awakening with the slogan, “Change Begins with Me’’, and Nigerians can key into it.
“This should be the bedrock for a new approach to cultural cohesion which acknowledges our individual cultural identities.
“We can use mutual respect to form a national movement that basically makes every Nigerian his or her brother’s keeper,’’ he said. (NAN)
EPA/BOLA/EEE
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Edited by Bola Akingbehin/Ese E. Ekama