The Ogun State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Muyiwa Oladipo has enjoined Nigerians in all walks of life to promote the study of cultural history in primary and secondary schools so as to sustain the nation’s rich heritage.
Oladipo who made the call while featuring on a live radio programme in Abeokuta, noted that for culture to continue to thrive, everyone must contribute their quota as it was time for culturally inclined individuals to pass on the language and cultural prowess to the upcoming generation by showcasing them through their mode of dressing and promotion of art of story-telling.
He charged traditional rulers, who are the custodians of culture as well as parents and guardians to revive the culture that was going into extinction at their domains and homes, adding that ‘’it would be a national embarrassment if we allow our children to be taught the culture by foreigners, as our children no longer regard it any more’’.
He noted with dismay the continued neglect of the immense value embedded in the art of storytelling and study of history where the activities of prominent Nigerians who had contributed to the development of the country were no longer taught, lamenting that ‘’how would the children of today learn about heroes of yesterday if they were not taught’’.
‘’The study of history is very important; it is a thing of dismay for some of us to know that the education of storytelling was no more, especially in our primary and secondary schools. How do you expect children of today to learn about Obafemi Awolowo,Wole Soyinka,Bisi Onabanjo, MKO Abiola,Ahmadu Bello, Nnamdi Azikwe if you don’t teach them ,’’ He said.
