The Balogun of Epe and Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Lanre Razak, has urged government to promote culture through the people’s shared values.
Speaking during the traditional wedding of his daughter, Kofoworola, to Anthony Ikuforiji in Lagos, he said societal values were fast declining.
He said the Southwest is a land of culture, noting that foreign values were now replacing local ones.
According to him, with over 250 ethnic nationalities in the country, culture and tourism would not only be of social benefits but of economic value.
The Balogun of Epe added that government must wake up to its duty by preserving the rich cultural heritage for the benefit of posterity.
“The Ministry of Information and Culture should lead the pact and other stakeholders have to support. The heritages are well spelt out in marriages, festivals and folklores. They should promote Nigeria’s culture.
“With over 250 ethnic nationalities, the ministry has lots in its hand to keep it busy. We should have new cultural festivals detailing the background of Nigeria. It should harp on our strength, unity and social values.”
Razak said parents should place their wards above other pecuniary gains, stressing that children well guided by parents would ensure they don’t soil their parents’ names.
“The most valuable thing any parent should be proud of is to teach the children the virtue of good life. We must give them the training they deserve in life to make them relevant in the society.
“We must let them have what we call self-reliance and the core value of the society. By the core value they must know how to respond to the senior or elders in the society. This should be part of their lives anywhere they found themselves.
“We must let them understand that you don’t suddenly become rich when you don’t do you job or work hard for it. At every point or whatever you try to do ensure that you keep a good name, considering where you are coming from. They must be encouraged to work hard, deploy their resources in a useful way and keep good companies.”
Razak expressed mixed feeling about the marriage of his daughter, noting that he was happy that the daughter was getting married, but downcast that he would miss the bond that existed between them.
“It is a game of mixed feelings because you are happy giving away your daughter and at the same time you will be missing her because is now part of the other family.
“So, as a parent, what I have done is to pray for them for God’s guidance in all that they do. They should have a successful marriage life and it shall be well with them.
“The couple should love themselves care for themselves, they must tolerate each other. Happiness in marriage is what you achieve gradually and it is always a learning process.”