NAN-H-94
Tolerance
By Nkeiru Ifeajuna and Vivian Ihechu
Lagos, May 24, 2017 (NAN) The Youth Orientation for Development (YOD), an NGO working with UNESCO, on Wednesday, urged Nigerians to be tolerant of each other’s cultural sensibilities to promote unity and peaceful co-existence.
According to the group, tolerance will aid peaceful co-existence and also promote sustainable development.
Mr Emmanuel Ejiogu, President, UNESCO-YOD, made the call at an event to mark 2017 World Cultural and Diversity Day for Dialogue and Development in Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event is held annually on May 21, to help people learn about the importance of cultural diversity and harmony.
The General Conference of the UNESCO adopted the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity in Paris, France, on Nov. 2, 2001.
It was the 249th resolution adopted at the 57th session of the United Nations General Conference.
Although the declaration was the culmination of years of work, it was adopted in the wake of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.
Speaking at the event, Ejiogu identified cultural diversity as the common heritage of humanity.
“It is a source of renewal of ideas and societies through which we open up to others and craft new ways of thinking.
“This diversity provides opportunities for peace and sustainable development hence the need to ensure a proper understanding of our diverse cultures for sustainable development.’’
Ejiogu noted that UNESCO-YOD was collaborating with the National Troupe of Nigeria, to sensitise youths on the value of cultural diversity issues, especially as it helps to attain the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“This event is to raise the moral tone of the Nigerian youths by giving them the opportunity to learn about higher ideals of national achievement, social and cultural improvement.
“It is also intended that it will develop the minds of youths through shared experience and help develop common ties among the Nigerian youths and those of other cultures, to promote world unity and integration.
“It will sensitise and expose youths to the modes of living of the people in different parts of the world.
“As part of its goals, the programmes hope to develop a sense of corporate existence and common destiny of the people of Nigeria,’’ he said.
According to Ejiogu, through this programme, youths will be encouraged to shun religious intolerance by accommodating religious differences.
He explained that cultural diversity supported the idea that every person could make a unique and positive contribution to the larger society.
“To support and achieve this, there is the need to increase ones’ level of understanding about other cultures by interacting with people outside your own culture.
“There is also the need to avoid imposing values on others that may conflict or be inconsistent with cultures other than one’s own.
“People should recognise and understand that concepts within the helping profession, such as family, gender roles, spirituality and emotional well-being vary significantly among cultures and influence behaviour.’’
Ejiogu urged Nigerians to be proactive in listening, accepting and welcoming people and ideas that are different from one’s own.
He said: “Nigeria is a nation rich in diversified cultures.
“Our growth and development as a nation appears to have been hampered by the inability to fully understand our diversified cultures and annex its potential for national development and realisation of the SDGs.
“In our present democratic and national life, the nation is polarised along cultural and ethnic differences and all along in the history of the nation, we have had conflicts that bordered along cultural lines.
“The current insurgencies and spate of insecurity in the nation are also traceable to poor cultural understanding.
“Thus, the need for tolerance and understanding in spite of our cultural varieties and differences,’’ he added.
NAN reports that the event featured cultural performances by students from various schools in Lagos State. (NAN)
NCI/VIV/JIE
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(Edited by Julius Enehikhuere/Peter Ejiofor)