NICO calls for cultural orientation for Nigerians to aid unity and development

The Lagos State Zonal Director, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) in Nigeria, Mr Ohi Ojo has re-stated the need to inculcate cultural orientation at early stage to enhance national unity and development.

Mr. Ojo said this in an interview with Voice of Nigeria on the sidelines of the 2021 Children’s Fiesta.

Mr. Ojo stated that the aim of the programme was to encourage Nigerians to appreciate their cultural values while appreciating other cultures.

According to Mr Ojo “We want to protect the culture of peaceful co-existence and unity among students from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds and also encourage cultural education and scholarship among them.

“We also want to create a platform to discover young talents in culture and creative arts in a bid to foster a sense of identity, pride and awareness in our children’

“We want to tell the young ones that in the plurality of our culture, it is possible to have national cohesion necessary for development,’ he added ‘

Mr. Ojo also emphasized that it is important for citizens to understand that no culture is superior to another as they compliment one another.

“We all need to appreciate our cultures and ethnic diversity which we intend to teach the young ones. They need to appreciate the cultural integration and inclusiveness.

“It is true that people should take pride in their culture, but at the same time recognise the fact that their culture is only different from others and not superior.

“It is just the difference, so we must learn how to appreciate other peoples culture which is the message we are preaching as agency,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Group Manager, Ashoka Innovators for the Public, Mr Okey Uzoechina, one of the co-partners of the programme, said that it was important for every Nigerian from an early stage to realise their potential as a change maker in their community.

“It is our mandate to preach that children and young ones being the expected leaders of tomorrow must be taught the essence of unity in diversity at the early stage.

“This is because the young ones are the real change makers of the society and their role is essential to build the Nigeria of our dreams where peace will reign.

“We also need to know our history which is part of the reason we are calling for the return of history as a subject into the curriculum of the schools.

“However, the more ideal situation is the responsibility of the parents to teach their children the values of the society and the rich cultural history at which we emerged from,” he said.

The Deputy Director, Strategic Planning And Corporate Development SPCD, Voice of Nigeria, Mr Abdulwarees Solanke said that VON was invested in making sure NICO achieves its goal of national cohesion and development through early cultural orientation of citizens.

In his goodwill message, the Commissioner of Police, Ikeja Police College, Adekunle Asafa, represented by CSP Administration, Kayode Ajanaku noted that Nigeria would be stronger when truly united.

“We should all ensure that we are united in all our actions, we must learn on how to tolerate each other for a stronger country.

“The Nigerian Police has been preaching it that we are friends of the people.

“Police is your friend. We have men of timbre and calibre in the police force,” he said.

Some of the over 100 students drawn from selected primary and secondary schools in Lagos, South west Nigeria participated in inter-school quiz competition in Yoruba.

While others competed in games such as the popular African Game ‘Ayo game, Fashion parade, Hairdo and Catch Train
Game.

The 2021 NICO Childrens Cultural Fiesta with the theme: `Cultural Diversity and National Cohesion: the Role of Nigerian Youth was held at National Theatre, Media Centre, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Iganmu, Lagos State, South West Nigeria .

 

 

 

 

Hauwa Abu