World Culture Day: Ajimobi advocates promotion of indigenous values

As the world marks World Culture Day, Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has called for more emphasis on promoting indigenous cultural values.

He made the call on Monday while receiving a delegation led by his State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Toye Arulogun, at the Government House in Ibadan.

Members of the delegation, who were clad in various traditional attires, had visited the governor to seek his blessings to herald the celebration.

Residents of the state largely complied with the directive of the state government as they resumed in their various schools and offices in their traditional attires on Monday to commemorate the culture day.

The theme of the 2018 World Culture Day is “ Enhancing Our Understanding and Acceptance of Different Cultures.’’

Ajimobi stressed the need for continuous preservation of indigenous values.

“Yoruba culture is a very rich culture. Part of our culture is our value system. It is unfortunate that it is depleting. The ethos of Yoruba culture is the Omoluabi nature.

“The omoluabi nature has to do with integrity, morality, respect for elders, respect for authority and godliness. These are integral part of promoting cultural values,’’ he said.

The governor, who pledged his administration’s continuous support for the preservation and promotion of culture, said the people must look for opportunities to recover the lost glory of Yoruba culture.

Arulogun, on his part, said more emphasis must be placed on the preservation of indigenous culture to save it from extinction.

Mrs Rose Odika, the Governor, Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), Oyo State Chapter, commended the state government over its efforts aimed at fostering national unity.

She stated that the event was timely, calling for cultural harmony among the various ethnic groups in the country in spite of the diversity.

The state government organised a programme to commemorate the day.

The event, which held at the tarmac of the Cultural Centre in Ibadan, was attended by various ethnic groups in the state, students and traditional chiefs.

UNESCO had set aside May 21 of every year for the commemoration of the World Culture Day and usually marks it in countries that embrace their varied cultural history as well as its importance.