Anambra State Governor Lauds NYSC Scheme for Promoting Nigerian Culture

Chinwe Onuigbo, Awka.

Last updated Nov 19, 2023

The Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has lauded the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme for its immense promotion of the Nigerian culture.

The governor gave the commendation on the occasion of the 2023 batch ‘C’ stream ‘1’ cultural carnival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe NYSC Unity Permanent Orientation Camp, Umuawulu/Mbaukwu, Awka South local government area, Anambra State, on Saturday.

According to Governor Soludo, Nigeria’s culture is shaped by its multiple ethnic groups.

Governor Soludo was represented by Comrade Chibuzo Udeh from the Office of the Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr. Patrick Aghamba.

“Our culture is not just dance display, but a totality of who we are, how we dress, how we talk, in terms of our core values. Our culture is an embodiment of who we are. It is a celebration of our hard work.

“The country has about 527 languages with over 250 tribes spread across the 36 states, having the three largest ethnic groups as the Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba.

So, we are exposed to differences in dressing, customs, methods and lots more,” he noted while urging the corps members to embrace one another with love and respect for each other’s culture, norms, values and religion.

Presenting her speech, the NYSC Coordinator for Anambra State, Mrs Blessing Ekene Iruma, emphasized that the cultural carnival is essentially articulated by the management of the scheme to showcase the rich cultural heritage of Nigeria through music, dressing, food, arts, beliefs, languages, and songs, among others.

The state coordinator disclosed that only 10 tribes were selected to participate in the carnival, owing to time constraint in the camp.

“In this camp, the tribes selected include Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa, Ijaw, Efik, Igala, Idoma, Tiv, Urhobo and Benin.

“By organizing a cultural carnival of this nature, wealth could be created, as this could be exported to earn foreign exchange.

“Morever, cultural carnival provides avenue for relaxation and enjoyment. After nearly three weeks on camp, this is a period to forget the rigorous activities characteristic of camp life.

“And promoting cultural carnival beyond NYSC could invariably lead to job creation for the teeming youths of the country,” said Mrs Iruma.

Highlighting the Benefits of the NYSC Cultural Carnival

The State Coordinator of the NYSC scheme enumerated the benefits of the such cultural carnivals.

“The NYSC cultural carnival exposes the Nigerian youths to rich cultural diversities and languages of the country, collapses all forms of social, gender, religious barriers and extends the hand of fellowship across the cultural groups.

“It helps to reduce prejudices about certain cultures and boosts economic activities across communities.

“It stimulates in corps members an unusual creativity and innovations, promotes local content like local or native fabrics and attires.

“It is also an avenue to learn from different cultures without losing your identity, as we stand politically to understand ourselves better,” the NYSC state coordinator highlighted.

Mrs Iruma further called on town unions and other youth organizations to strive to evaluate the gains accruable from NYSC cultural carnivals and embark on the planning and execution of similar ones. This, she said, would help to tap the talents of youths and, in the process, create wealth for them.

Corps members from the 10 platoons in the camp participated in the cultural presentation: ‘best king and queen attire’, ‘best creatively decorated canopies’, ‘catching the train’, ‘knotting of tie’, ‘sack race’, and ‘egg race’, among others.

At the end of the cultural carnival competition, Platoon 4 took first place; Platoon 3 came second, while the third position went to Platoon 10.

The state coordinator and other government officials presented cash prizes to the winners.

Meanwhile, the Igwe of Umuawulu, His Royal Majesty, Engineer Joel Egwuonu (the Ezeudo ll of Umuawulu), appreciated the government, NYSC management for organizing the carnival. He blessed the corps members and wished them fruitful endeavours in life.

A Brief Background of the NYSC Scheme

The NYSC scheme was created in a bid to reconstruct, reconcile and rebuild the country after the Nigerian Civil War. The purpose of the scheme is primarily to inculcate in Nigerian youths the spirit of selfless service to the community, and to emphasize the spirit of oneness and brotherhood of all Nigerians, irrespective of cultural or social background.

Nigerian youths, upon graduation from a tertiary institution, are enrolled in this compulsory one-year scheme.