ONDO STATE FIRST LADY WANTS NIGERIANS TO MAKE CONSCIOUS EFFORTS TO PRESERVE THEIR CULTURE

In the face of the looming extinction of the rich and treasured Nigerian culture, Wife of Ondo State Governor, Her Excellency, Chief Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu
has called on Nigerians to make concerted efforts in preserving their most treasured culture and save it from extinction.

Mrs Akeredolu made this call during the maiden edition of the Dame Princess Oladunni Odu Akoko South West Local Government Primary Schools Cultural Festival.

The Governor’s wife, who was represented at the event by her media aide, Rowland Onyeukwu, observed that Nigerian culture which promotes hard work, respect for elders and leaders, hospitality and peaceful coexistence, discipline, honesty and sincerity, makes an individual stand out as a responsible citizen.

While applauding the organizers for their effort in drawing attention to the need to integrate culture into the school curriculum, Mrs Akeredolu, a gender activist, advised Nigerians not to promote the culture that projects the idea that women are lesser in value than men.

In her own words, “As you all know, I am a gender activist, meaning, I educate people that boys and girls, men and women have equal potentials to do things and become somebody in their communities. Therefore, I promote a culture that embraces female advancement as against the idea that women are lesser in value than men, or that the girl child does the chores in the home while the boy child plays and watches television all day. NO! I constantly advocate for our culture to give a sense of belonging to women as much as it gives to men, for in so doing, a balance will be achieved for a better society.

So, my message to the children is that they should emulate the good sides of our different cultures as long as it goes a long way in making them better people.”

The Sunshine State first lady further revealed that the Akeredolu-led government in Ondo State has risen to the challenge of pro-actively preserving the rich cultural heritage of the state because of its connection to tourism and it’s associated enormous economic gains by completing the 16.5 kilometers road leading to the community that houses one of the very best nature’s gift to Ondo state -IDANRE HILLS Resort.


That action by the present administration, according to Mrs Akeredolu, has opened the place to tourists and the people of Ondo state, making it the next destination for tourism, due to its interesting cultural and historic stories.

The chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, Princess Oladunni Odu, and the Education Secretary, Chief Balogun Arogunjo Adewumi, in their different remarks extolled the Akeredolu’s administration in the state on their giant strides in the educational sector and pledged commitment of the agencies to continue to live up to expectations.

Cultural displays showcasing different Nigerian tribes, interschool competition and presentation of prizes and gift items were the highlights of the event.

The event, which took place at the playground of St. Mary’s Mega Primary School, Iwonrin, Oka, Akoko, had the three traditional rulers from the area, Senior Special Assistant to thel Governor on Social Development, SUBEB Commissioner and pupils from six primary schools in attendance.

Source: https://citadelng.com/ondo-state-first-lady-wants-nigerians-to-make-conscious-efforts-to-preserve-their-culture/