The National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Ondo State Coordinator, Mrs. Victoria Nnenna Ani, has admonished the youths to reduce their concentration and dependence on foreign cultures which is always at the detriment or expense of the indigenous cultures.
Ani gave the admonition when she declared open the Cultural Carnival for the 2023 Batch ‘B’ (Stream II) orientation course.
Speaking at the parade ground at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Ikare-Akoko, Ani stated that the event was designed to showcase the rich cultures of different ethnics in the country and their diversity.
“I want to admonish you to promote our indigenous cultures wherever you find yourself on the surface of the earth. I am not disputing the fact that every race sees her culture as being superior to others but I want to let you know that every culture is unique with special features which distinguishes it from one another.”
Ani said the corps members had an important role to play at ensuring that the country’s cultures did not go into extinction.
“Let us value what we have rather than giving more attention to the cultures and ways of life that modernisation and civilisation has brought to us. I want to let you know that your education and exposure stand you in good stead to encourage the younger ones who see you as role models and influencers in returning to the old glorious days of identifying with our roots.”
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She charged them not to see the programme from the perspective of entertainment but rather see it as a call to give more attention to the promotion of the country’s cultural values ‘so we can bequeath to the generations coming after us’.
The state coordinator called on the government at all levels, stakeholders, opinion moulders as well as community leaders to come together and fashion out ways through which indigenous cultures, values and entity would be given a boost.
“There should be a template to implement all the recommendations of this body for the overall benefit of Nigerians,” she advised.
She acknowledged the immense contributions of camp officials for their resilience and team spirit, saying that the synergy between camp officials was perfectly working well.
The representative of Airtel, the sponsors of the event, Mr. Jamiu Ganiyu, lauded the initiative of the NYSC management in collaborating with the telecommunications company.
He promised on behalf of his organisation that they would continue to sustain the existing relationships between the two entities and also break more grounds which he said would be beneficial to the parties.
Announcing the result of the cultural competition, the Chief Judge of the event who is also the Head, Man ‘O’ War, Mrs. Oluwakemi Ndola declared number 10 platoon which showcased Igbo culture as the overall winner while the second position was awarded to number 3 platoon with Itsekiri culture.
The third position was clinched by number 9 platoon which entertained the camp community with Hausa culture.
