Imo State, Tuesday, marked World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development at the International Exhibition Centre, former FSP Park, Wetheral Road, Owerri.
The celebration, which was rescheduled to May 31 from the usual May 18 to accommodate all stakeholders, especially Civil Servants was a huge success.
Speaking during the event, Imo State Commissioner for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Mazi Uche Ohia, PhD, noted that the day offered groups the opportunity to dialogue on their diverse cultures. He said each ethnic group in Nigeria had unique culture and urged the people to understood the differences and forge unity in diversity, emphasising that no culture was superior to others.
The Commissioner said: "Our culture is complete just like the English cultue is complete. There are many things about our culture that we need to protect and promote, and there are many things about the cultures of others that we need to emulate".
He thanked the Chairman, Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Eze Dr Emma Okeke as well as the Oba of Yoruba Community in Imo State, HRH Oba M. A Oladeji and his Cabinet for actively participating in the celebration. He commended the Yoruba nation for upholding its cultural heritage with pride.
In a message, the Chairman Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Eze Emma Okeke, who was represented by Nze Nnamdi Ihezuo, said the Council was happy to identify with such remarkable event that celebrates the diverse cultures of Nigerians. He said language was one of the defining aspects of culture and urged Ndigbo to promote and preserve their language. Eze Okeke challenged the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts to open a restaurant within the International Exhibition Centre to serve traditional Igbo cuisine and thereby generate revenue for Government.
In his address, the Oba of Yoruba Community in Imo State, HRH Oba M. A Oladeji, prayed that God would help the nationalities in Nigeria to use their rich cultures to bring peace in the country. The Royal Father described culture as the way of life of a people and noted that Igbo and Yoruba had similarities in aspects of their cultures like marriage and burial rites. He described the event, which brought Igbo and Yoruba cultures together, as "a good development", and advised that such interaction should continue.
The World Day for Cultural Diversity is set aside by the United Nations Organization to deepen understanding of the values of cultural diversity and to bridge the gap between cultures. According to the UN, bridging the gap between cultures is essential to peace, development and stability.
The celebration featured dance performances by Igbo and Yoruba groups, drama presentation, speeches, parade in traditional attires, and award of prizes to best dressed male and female in native traditional attires.
In a vote of thanks, Sir T.U.C Nwokonkwo commended the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts and Imo State Council for Arts and Culture for the "colourful and well packaged event to foster mutual understanding among cultures and thereby engender peace, development and stability.
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Diversity of our culture and tradition is very eminent, well pronounced and lack of political goodwill in area of promotion and financing.
ReplyDeleteThe need for cultural and Traditional collaboration should not be overemphasized.
I want to believe that it's only our culture., tradition and sports that can keep Nigeria as one entity.
All hands must be on deck to ensure that this yearly celebration doesn't jam rocks.