Lai Mohammed Stresses Need For Cultural Revaluation In Nigeria

Minister of Information and Culture , Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has described the revival of the nation’ s cultural values as panacea for some of the problems confronting the country due to moral decadence.
The minister said this in Port Harcourt , Rivers State , yesterday at the maiden edition of the Nigerian Agip Oil Company ( NAOC) Joint Venture ( JV ) Host Community Day.
“ Yesterday in Abuja , a German journalist asked me my vision of the nation ’s culture sector . I told him that my vision was to see a cultural renaissance in the country because of its ability to restore our moral values, which can in turn help in solving many of the problems we, as a nation, face today – whether it is in the area of insecurity , job creation or loss of moral values.
“ It is in furtherance of this that I have always made sure to participate in as many festivals and other cultural events as possible across the country, to give them more visibility and to encourage the organisers, ” he said.
In his remarks , the General Manager, District, NAOC , Alessandro Tiani, said the company recognised that communities were unique by their culture , which holds the key to identity, oneness , integration and development; hence the need for the Host Community Day.
Similarly, the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning , Clement Agba, has emphasised the need for people to speak their indigenous languages at home.
He was speaking at Etsako Day with the theme ‘ Showcasing the Cultural Heritage and Investment Opportunities of Etsako ’ organised by Etsako Club 81 in Lagos.
“ Our culture is our identity . Some parents don’t speak their native language to their children ; they don’ t take their children to their hometown , and these children don’t know where they come from. If parents take their children to their hometown, they will know where they come from and understand their culture, ” he said.
At the event , the deputy governor of Edo State , Philip Shaibu , stressed the need for unity of purpose for national development.
Also, the senator representing Edo North, Francis Alimikhena, made case for the promotion of Etsako language.
According to the president of Etsako Club 81 , Asamah Kadiri , the club is a socio – cultural association , which focuses on the welfare of indigent and development of Afenmai land and people.