Preamble
The Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC) of the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation organised a 2-day national Workshop on Cultural Rejuvenation for National Integration and Sustainable Development between 17 th and 18 th April 2008 at Peninsular Resort, Ajah, Lagos .
The workshop attracted participants from academia, civil society, practitioners of culture and government officials across the country. The workshop was declared open by the representative of the Honourable Minister for Tourism, Culture and National Orientation Mr. J. B. Yusuf, Director General, National Institute of Cultural Orientation, (NICO).
The opening ceremony was chaired by the Vice Chancellor, University of Abuja , Professor Nuhu Yaqub and the keynote address was delivered by a distinguished Sociologist, Professor Onigu Otite.
Observations
After exhaustive deliberations of the central theme for the workshop, the following observations were made:
- There is a general misconception of the twin concepts of culture and national integration.
- That a typical Nigerian family is no longer providing necessary education and training for the inculcation of cultural values which are essential for national integration and development.
- That Nigeria 's multi-cultural composition continues to be variously exploited by the Nigerian elites for selfish ends.
- That the commercialization and westernisation of Nigerian culture has adversely affected the values and contents of our cultural heritage and morality as basis for national development and integration.
- That there is inequitable allocation and distribution of resources at all levels of government.
- That there exists the phenomenon of “internal colonialism” in Nigeria and this is capable of frustrating national unity and integration.
- That various cultures of the different nationalities have not been adequately recognised, respected, studied and preserved.
- That there are inadequate mechanisms for conflict management, resolution and amelioration.
- That there is no harmonious relationship amongst the different ethnic associations and groups existing in the country which could have been supportive of national integration.
- That the Nigerian youths are not adequately economically empowered to serve as agents of moral development and integration.
- That the agency of culture has not been adequately employed to address national concerns such as corruption, insecurity, immorality, poor attitude, core value erosion and youth restiveness.
- That African arts and culture are not properly integrated in the school curriculum.
- That Nigerian local governments are not serving as agents of mass mobilization, cultural orientation and grass root development.
- That most cultural festivals are mere jamborees and not promotive of the substance of Nigerian culture.
Recommendations
Against the background of the above observations, the workshop recommended as follows:
- There should be proper documentation of our cultural artefacts for ease of reference.
- That there must be a national acceptance of the need to retain and protect our culture even in the face of global challenge.
- That the Nigerian cultural policy should be revised to serve as a guide for national integration and development by according recognition to the culture of all nationalities in the country. The Nigerian cultural policy must provide adequate proactive mechanism for conflict management, resolution and amelioration.
- That there should be creation of symbolic representation of cultural values such as morality, communication, harmony, transparency, accountability and popular participation in Nigeria .
- That Nigerian families should be encouraged to inculcate the right cultural values necessary for all-round development of the Nigerian child and promotion of national integration and development. This could be achieved through the creation of “Family Day”.
- That conscious effort should be made to create and sustain a national identity based on the core values of our cultural heritage.
- That there should be a more equitable system of resource allocation and distribution at all levels of government.
- That the local government should be implementing constitutional provisions on cultural and social rejuvenation at the grassroots level.
- That Nigerian youths should be empowered to appropriate the positive aspect of Nigerian culture in constructing an identity that could promote confidence building, cultural security and national development by the government.
- That the youth policy should therefore amend and incorporate structures that will empower the youths to serve as agents of cultural rejuvenation.
- That the different Nigerian groups should know each other more intimately in order to appreciate the cultural uniqueness of each and thereafter find common denominators that will serve as platforms for national unity and integration. Nigerians should learn and appreciate other cultures in addition to their own.
- That there should be a conscious national effort to encourage the acquisition of indigenous languages by every Nigerian.
- That African history including language be made compulsory for the first nine years of school in Nigeria .
- That conscious effort at reviving the age-long community spirit pivotal for national integration should be further encouraged.
Prof. Tunde Babawale
Director/CEO
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