The Nation Newspaper

Tag: CULTURE

  • ‘Handouts destroyed reading culture’

    INTRODUCING  handouts and forcing students to buy them to pass examinations is one factor that has killed reading culture among students, the Chief Executive Officer, Standard Mandate International, Mr Nelson Ayodele, has said.

    He spoke at the maiden edition of the Nigerian Army Library Services Book Fair at the Command Day Secondary School, Ikeja Cantonment, Maryland.

    He said: “I was in the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), then and this was in 1983. Things began to change; we stopped going to the libraries because lecturers came up with the idea that if we bought their handouts, we would pass. We bought handouts, crammed and passed; some of us even graduated with a distinction.”

    According to him, this was not the best option for them as the practice made many to stop reading and conducting research.

    ‘’All we needed to do was read our lecturers ‘handout and pass his exams,” he added.

    He praised the Nigerian Army Library Service for the four-day book fair with the theme: ‘Rejuvenating the reading culture in Nigeria: Empowering the citizenry through books.’

    The Director of Nigerian Army Library Service (NALS), Col. Charles Adisa Bossman, said the event formed part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) towards national development.

    He said the NALS decided to extend its services beyond the military.

    “The central focus is to improve the reading culture in Nigeria, so we invited seasoned publishers to bring in their books at very low cost,” he said.

    Noting that the theme was apt, Col. Bossman stressed that NALS  selected motivational topics that would move people to read. He called on associations of like minds to take advantage of the fair.

    The President, Nigeria Library Association, Mr Rilwan Abdulsalam, said librarians play a very important role in the book chain.

    Librarians, Abdulsalam explained, play a dual role from pre- to post-production of books, and making sure that books follow all rules.

    “We hope that the military personnel in service, retired and the civilian will cease the opportunity to make use of the fair wisely,” he added.

    On the reason for the event, the Commander, Nigerian Army Education Corps, Maj.-Gen. Sunday Adebayo, said NALS felt they needed to sensitise students, the public and their officers having realised that reading culture was dying.

    “We also realised that the book policy is heavy on parents as they complain that the books are too expensive. So, we decided to bring the publishers together to know how to get cheaper books,” he said.

    Gen. Adebayo feared that if nothing was done to revive reading, in  10 years,  the country might record a huge examination failure among students as according to him, the culture of reading might have further degenerated.

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Kenneth Minimah, was represented by the General Officer Commanding 81 Division, Major General Tamunomeibi Ibifuro Dibi at the event.

  • Photo: World Sango festival

    Photo: World Sango festival

    DIRECTOR GENERAL, NIGERIA TOURISM DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, MRS SALLY MBANEFO (L), RECEIVING AN ART WORK FROM ALAFIN OF OYO, OBA LAMIDI ADEYEMI, AT THE OPENING OF WORLD SANGO FESTIVAL IN OYO ON THURSDAY (21/8/14). WITH THEM IS COMMISSIONER FOR CULTURE OYO STATE, PRINCESS ADETUTU ADEYEMI.
    DIRECTOR GENERAL, NIGERIA TOURISM DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, MRS SALLY MBANEFO (L),
    RECEIVING AN ART WORK FROM ALAFIN OF OYO, OBA LAMIDI ADEYEMI, AT THE OPENING OF WORLD
    SANGO FESTIVAL IN OYO ON THURSDAY. WITH THEM IS COMMISSIONER FOR CULTURE OYO
    STATE, PRINCESS ADETUTU ADEYEMI.

  • Poor budget culture

    AT the graduation of King’s College, Lagos, penultimate week, the audience was shocked when the principal, Otunba Dele Olapeju said so far, the Federal Government had released only N3,950,993.00 (representing five per cent) of the N75,693,143 appropriated to the school for this year.

    He said the school has been able to meet some of its obligations through Internally-Generated Revenue (IGR) and support from the PTA, alumni and private endowments.  Were King’s College to be Loyola Jesuit, he said the N75 million would have represented only the fees of 75 pupils.  But at King’s College, the money is used to take care of a total of 3,058 pupils – their feeding, accommodation, instructional materials, maintenance, and other educational needs.

    Last year, the budget appropriated was N70,000,000; but the amount released was N28,888,773.  In 2012, N42.9 million was appropriated, N24.36 million was released.  In 2011, amount appropriated was N53.04 million, while N35.62 million was released; In 2010, N65.66 million was appropriated, but only N42.51 million was released.

    Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, a lawmaker in the House of Representatives, who was guest speaker at the event, was surprised that the school was so poorly funded.  She said the money had been appropriated by the National Assembly and wondered why it had not been paid to the school.

    I wonder too.  The statistics provided by the principal showed a steady reduction in the percentage of the appropriated budget released since 2011.  How can such practice continue yearly?  What happens to the balance at the end of the budget year?

    But of greater concern should be how do the schools cope?  How can a school that is supposed to get N75 million for this year be forced to survive on N3.9 million up to the seventh month of the year?  The principal said they have been creative in making use of Internally-Generated Revenue (IGR).  But how far can their IGR go?  How much is it?  Is it enough to address the needs of 3,058 pupils?  Powering the generators alone runs into millions each month.  What about feeding, water supply, instructional materials and other costs?  How do they meet such needs?  If king’s college, one of most highly populated of the 104 unity schools does not get up to half of its budget yearly, what about the others?  What about the universities, polytechnic and colleges of education?

    Like Mrs Dabiri-Erewa rightly concluded that day, our government is toying dangerously with the future of the country by treating education with levity.  We know that there are so many loopholes through which funds meant for the general good find their way into private pockets.  But if we continue such practice, we only do so to our detriment.

    The new Education Minister, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, has his work cut out for him.  There are many areas of challenge.  We know it is one thing to have funds and another to use it judiciously.  However, releasing five per cent of the budget is very poor.  We should not expect any meaningful progress from such  promptly so our education sector can be managed effectively.

     

  • Igbo culture at its best

    Igbo culture at its best

    Igbo Students at the University of Calabar (UNICAL) have celebrated the best of their culture, reports STANLEY UCHEGBU (ACCOUNTING).

    BY their dressing, they could be mistaken for Dramatic Arts students on rehearsal. Clad in various native attires, they moved in a procession to Malabo Square for Igbo Day celebration. The celebrators are students of the University of Calabar (UNICAL).

    The cultural festival of the Federation of Igbo Students (FIS), UNICAL chapter, is held yearly by the students to preserve the heritage of their fatherland.

    The event was graced by lecturers and eminent Igbo indigenes in Calabar, among who were wife of the Cross River State Governor Mrs Obioma Imoke, who was represented by Mrs Ifeatu Ezeagwu, Vice-Chancellor, Prof James Epoke, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (VC) (Academics), Prof Austin Obiekezie, Dean of Students’ Affairs, Prof Eyong Eyong and Director of Centre for General Studies, Dr Chike Ekeopara.

    The VC hailed the students for turning out at the fiesta, stressing that Igbo remain one of the largest ethnic groups in the country. The future of the ethnic group, Prof Epoke said, depends on the enthusiasm of the youth to propagate its culture.

    He said many people copied foreign cultures to  the detriment of their rich heritage, noting that advanced nations such as the United States spent so much to maintain and preserve the cultural heritage of its people.

    The VC said Igbo customs and tradition were rich in values that could transform the nation, adding that parents must employ every possible means to transfer  these  values to their children so that Igbo culture would not go into extinction.

    The FIS president, Ekene Odimegwu, noted that Igbo language had survived despite the incursion of alien cultures in the land.

    He said: “In UNICAL, Ndi Igbo were known for academic excellence and their efforts to promote unity. We unite, promote and provide a platform for unity, peace and harmony among all students.”

    The event featured a dancing session, where the FIS troupe displayed Igbo cultural dance steps to entertain the guests. The troupe moved the guests and students into excitement, which made some of them to rain wads of naira notes on the dancers.

    Igbo’s cuisine was the official menu of the day. Guests and students were served Abacha (African salad) dish with Ugba– a delicacy made from cassava. The food is popular in eastern part of the country. It is made from dried streak of cassava (Abacha) with fermented oil bean seed (Ugba). It is served to welcome visitors.

    Highpoint of the event was the presentation of awards to people that aided the cause of the association and launch of the FIS almanac.

    Amaka Adigwe, a student, told CAMPUSLIFE, that there were many values non-Igbo people could pick from the event. Some students who could not hide their excitement praised the leadership of the association for sustaining the event.

    Ekene added: “Culture is life. The Igbo culture and language will not go extinct if it is passed on from old to young ones.”

  • Anambra rallies at culture feast

    Anambra rallies at culture feast

    The conferment of a chieftaincy title on a former commissioner in Anambra State, Dubem Obaze, was all it took to pool the state’s leaders and traditional rulers together and bring out the best of their traditions, reports NWANOSIKE ONU

    The event will endure in the memory not merely because Anambra State leaders were honoured with titles. It would be rather because it was at the investiture that the very best of the state’s culture and traditions was in bold relief.

    Monarchs honoured former governor of the state, Peter Obi with a traditional title. So was Dubem Obaze, who was Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters in the state.

    But it was an event where culture and tradition came to fore with Ndigbo turning up in full traditional gear.

    Former Senate President, Ken Nnamani led other dignitaries to Umuodu, Ochuche in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State to honour Chief Dubem Obaze.

    Others who witnessed the installation of the title of “Ifeakachi”(nothing is bigger than God) on Dubem Obaze by the traditional rulers in Anambra North, led by the Obi of Onitsha, Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, were the former governor of the state, Chief Peter Obi.

    Anambra State Deputy Governor, Dr. Nkem Okeke represented  Governor Willie Obiano, who had, before then, travelled out of the country with the state lawmakers.

    Business mogul, Sir Emeka Offor was the chairman on the occasion, while Akwa-Ibom State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio deployed crowd to Ochuche to grace the chieftaincy installation, led by Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umana.

    Cultural displays from all the seven local government areas in Anambra North Senatorial zone were on hand to entertain their guests.

    Guests sat glued to their seats with smiles and clappings, when the biggest masquerades in the state in every local government area called “Ijele” mesmerised the audience.

    Obi Achebe of Onitsha Kingdom, who led other traditional rulers in the zone,  told the crowd that such honour was being given to Obaze because of what he described as his sterling qualities and contributions to the development of the state.

    The National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh also lavished praises on the recipient.

    He said that Obaze should see the honour as a motivation to continue to do more for the overall good of the state and its people.

    Former Governor, Peter Obi said Obaze had never been found wanting in any job given to him both in the state and outside, describing the recipient as a strong willed individual.

    The traditional ruler of Nteje in Oyi Local Government Area, Igwe Rowland Odegbo, who is the chairman of Anambra North Traditional Rulers’ Council, said Obaze had rejected the offer three times before now.

    His Royal Majesties, Igwe Kenneth Orizu of Nnewi and Igwe Peter Ezenwa of Okpoko, told The Nation that they lacked words to describe Obaze because of his contributions to the development of Anambra State.

    The member, representing Anaocha, Njikoka and Dunukofia Federal Constituency, Hon. Uche Ekwunife said Obaze’s influence and humility would not be rivaled.

    She stated that it was a good thing that the people had come together to give honour to who it is due, adding that she wished him success in his future endeavours.

    Hon. Victor Afam Ogene, representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency, told The Nation that the recognition by the monarchs on Obaze, had affirmed his tested and trusted leadership qualities, which, according to him, true believers of progress and development in Anambra North currently yearn for.

    Before now, the chieftaincy recipient had served as chairman, state and local government joint account, chairman, park management committee, member, Anambra State Elders’ Forum and member, MDG Implementation Committee, among others.

    Furthermore, it was said that he was instrumental to the construction of 178 new primary school blocks through Private, Public Partnership (PPP) programme and also, oversaw the construction of more than 100 primary healthcare centres across the three senatorial zones in the state.

    Chairman on the occasion, Sir Emeka Offor, described Obaze as a dogged fighter, who is always ready to serve his people which have distinguished him from others.

    However, The Nation gathered that Obaze is nursing the ambition of representing Anambra North senatorial zone at the Senate in 2015 on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

    It would be recalled that few weeks ago, former Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah was equally given a chieftaincy title by the traditional rulers of Ogbaru and not Anambra North which attracted a large crowd and not prominent personalities in the state.

    The only heavy weight that attended her chieftaincy installation was the chairman of the event, senator Ben Ndi Obi and perhaps, the Rector, Federal Polytechnic Oko, Prof. Godwin Onu.

    All the political bigwigs penciled down to grace the event including Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, First lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, Peter Obi among others were absent.

    Again, it was gathered that the people of the area had chosen the APGA strongman to replace Senator Maggery Okadigbo of the People’s Democratic Party in 2015.

     

  • Amachree to open Museum of African Culture, History

    Amachree to open Museum of African Culture, History

    One of the foremost private tourism practitioners in country and former President of the Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (ATPN), Alabo Mike Amachree, is currently concluding plans to unfold a Museum of African History and Culture in Port Harcourt.

    Amachree, in a  chat with pressmen, said the establishment of the museum would be part of his contributions to the development of tourism in the country. He said the museum would also help in the efforts to raise the profile of Port Harcourt from being just the oil capital of Nigeria to a tourist destination.

    Amachree said the museum would house ‘artifacts, antiquities and relics of Nigeria and other African countries.

    “The Museum of African History and Culture that is currently in the pipeline, when completed, will avail Africans both at home and in the Diaspora the opportunity to know their history as well as to learn more about the slave trade,” he said.

    Amachree used the opportunity to emphasize the need to involve traditional rulers in the development of tourism in Nigeria as, he believed, this would help to boost tourism. He called on the government to develop the palaces of traditional rulers as this would serve as tourist sites

    He spoke further.: “There is a need to grow the knowledge of the younger generation in the history, culture and tradition of Africa. This is imperative in the development of tourism in the country.”

    Amachree, who has put more than four decades in his quest to develop tourism in the country which has seen him establish the first Abuja Carnival in 1990, second Port Harcourt Carnival in 1992, served as a board member  of the Nigerian Tourism Board in 1991 and  President of the ATPN for so many years, called for partnership between the government and private sector to move the industry forward.

    He said: “The government must provide infrastructural facilities, the enabling environment as well as necessary assistance for the sector to thrive. Tourism sector, if fully developed, is a major foreign exchange earner and employer of labour.”

    He decried the activities of insurgents in some parts of the country, saying “it is a disincentive in the area of attracting in-bound tourist.” He called on the Federal Government to do all within its power to find a lasting solution to the security challenge.

    He called on the youths to equip themselves with skills as these could put in  them good stead to serve in the tourism industry in the future.

    Speaking on the launching of his recent book, The Niger Delta Slave Trade Route, Amachree said it was a huge success and that the book was written to encourage reading and acquisition of knowledge, promising that some copies would be donated to tertiary institutions in the Niger Delta with the University of Port Harcourt as the first beneficiary.

  • Yoruba culture on display

    Members of the Yoruba Students Association (YOSA), University of Calabar (UNICAL) chapter, have held their annual cultural day, showcasing the beauty of Yoruba tradition and values. STANLEY UCHEGBU (Accounting) reports.

    The downpour in the city of Calabar, the Cross River State capital, could not stop them. Yoruba students of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) left their hostels, clad in Aso Ofi, Agbada and abeti aja cap, and moved to the Malabor Square – the venue of their annual cultural day.

    The event, which was organised by Yoruba Students’ Association (YOSA) to showcase the cultural heritage of the Yoruba, was graced by members of Yoruba community in Calabar among who were: Evang. Michael Odugbemi, who was the spiritual father of day, Prof Olu Lawal, chairman of the occasion, represented by Kazeem Lawal, Alhaji Mustapha Hassan and Alhaji Abdulganiu Abdulsalam, among others.

    The cultural day, according to the president of the association, Gbenga Joseph, was to re-awake the cultural consciousness of the students, some who have lost touch with their background. He stressed that since he was elected to lead the association, his leadership had not had it smooth administering the affairs of the group but for the courage, determination and support from the elders.

    He advised members to remain focused on their academic pursuits and embrace the culture of hard work for which the Yoruba are known.

    Prof Lawal emphasised the need for students to unite and promote their language and cultural heritage wherever they may be. According to him, Yoruba culture remained one of the richest and respected in Nigeria, adding that the culture had devised easy way of transmission from parents to children.

    He urged lecturers and guardians not to fail in their responsibility to inculcate moral and good values in the youth and to show them the rich Yoruba heritage, saying such would discourage their engagement in social vices.

    The country, the don said, would develop if elders exercise their responsibility to teach the youth the indigenous language, rather than communicating with them through alien language.

    Mike Abolade, who spoke on Yoruba culture worthy of emulation, described Yoruba culture as progressive, noting that the culture had respect for the elders, authority and people’s heritage. Abolade made an appeal to students and staff to respect the tradition of the Yoruba tribe and its culture.

    The association’s cultural troupe entertained guests with its choreographed Bata dance. Some members rendered ewi (poem) to the surprise of the guests.

    Joel Awolabi, a 300-Level Physics student and an indigene of Ogun State, said the ewi and bata dance were used to send message and prick the conscience of the people in the medieval Yoruba society.

    The highpoint included the presentation of awards to some of the guests, and the honouring of the UNICAL’s best graduating student, Kareem Adeyinka, who had a First Class in Medical Laboratory Science.

    Mr Adeoye Olajide, Managing Director of Microvert Nigeria Limited, unveiled the association’s almanac. The occasion also featured coronation of Mr and Miss YOSA, who named Oba (king) and Olori (queen) of the association. The outgoing king, Ademuyiwa Temitayo, performed the rite.

    “I never knew my culture was so rich; it is used to look archaic to me, but henceforth, I will learn and cherish it,” said Esther Adeyemi, a 100-Level Computer Science student.

  • Ilorin culture on display

    Ilorin culture on display

    It was a feast of culture when members of the Ilorin Emirate Students’ Union in the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS) inaugurated a new Emir (leader) during a send-off party for their outgoing executive. HALIMA AKANBI (200-Level Law) and IBRAHIM JATTO (Graduating student of Zoology) report.

    It was the installation of a new ‘emir’, but the culture of Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, was on display at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University in Sokoto (UDUS). The university community had a taste of Ilorin culture when Ilorin Emirate students held a send-off for their graduating colleagues and inaugurated of the new Emir (president).

    The ‘emir’, Sheriffdeen Omotayo, walked from his hostel to the PTF Hall – the venue of the event – clad in a blue ceremonial attire with a white-turban. He waved to people shouting “Shehu”, which is how the Emir of Ilorin is greeted.

    Sheriffdeen was received by a crowd of students, who had been seated for two hours before the programme started. As he moved into the hall, the ‘emir’ was greeted with resounding shouts of “Shehu”.

    After the ‘emir’ sat on the throne, Kengbe troupe, which is a cultural group of the union, dazzled the crowd with the traditional dance step of Ilorin people. The 15-member group was led by the Magajiya of the association, Risikat Ibrahim, a 400-Level student of Business Administration.

    Kengbe is a calabash that generated sound of different pitches, which is used to welcome guests to occasions.

    The event started with the Ulama’u (good people) conference, where members of the union imitated notable Islamic clerics in Ilorin. While acting sermons on the topic: Shariah and marriage, the students mimicked the style of clerics, such as the late Sheikh Adam Abdullahi Al-Ilory, Sheikh Kamaldeen Al-Addaby and Sheikh Buhari Ibn Musa, among others.

    There was also a short drama on the need to always remember one’s origin. Members presented a fact-file on Ilorin history and the achievements of illustrious sons and daughters of the ancient city. Participants learnt that Ilorin produced the first lawyer in the North, the first professor of Veterinary Medicine in West Africa, and that it is also the first community to have electricity in the North.

    The highpoint was the installation. Sheriffdeen, a 300-Level student of Islamic Education Studies, succeeds Abdulhameed Abdullahi, a graduating student of Political Science.

    The ‘emir’ is the Magaji of the association. He was turbaned amid fun and fanfare. After the swearing in, hundreds of students led the Emir back to his hostel, beating the Bandir – Islamic talking drum.

    Students, who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE, described Ilorin culture as a “progressive civilisation” that has endured for ages.

    Hanifat Yusuf, a 400-Level student, said: “The event showed the unique heritage of Ilorin people in an interesting style. It combined entertainment with values that are dear to Ilorin people. We were brought back home with the display of culture.”

    Abdulmajeed Isiak, a 300-Level member, said he was proud of his origin with the manner students from other states trooped out to watch the event. “The event gave me a sense of pride as an Ilorin indigene, given the massive attendance by students from other states. It was educative and entertaining,” he said.

    Hammed Hammed, a 200-Level student of Business Administration, said: “The send-off was unique in its own way; everyone enjoyed the programme from the beginning to the end. I hope to see more of this kind of organisational spirit next time.”

    Abdulhameed thanked members for their support and co-operation, which he said was the reason behind the success recorded during his tenure. He urged members to support the new leadership to achieve the association’s objective.

    The association also unveiled a magazine Garin Alimi to inform people about events happening in Ilorin.

  • Educationists harp on culture

    Educationists harp on culture

    The loss of cultural values has contributed to the problem of insecurity in some parts of the country, some educationists have said.

    They spoke at a cultural day programme organised by the Christ-Lifeforte School, Orisunbare, in Shasha, Lagos.

    One of them, Mrs Linda Adeseri, said that Nigeria was facing the challenge of insecurity in some areas because some of its people had replaced their culture and heritage with foreign ones.

    “Nigerians are not known to be hostile as we have always been our brothers’ keepers, but the influence of western culture on ours tends to pollute our way of life.

    “The recent use of guns, bombs and other dangerous weapons is an imitation from the western world and not our culture.

    “The trend in the past, when crisis arose, was that the parties involved always settled their disputes by sending artefacts which symbolise peace to themselves,” she said.

    Mrs Adeseri, a Senior Staff in the Education Department, Lagos State Ministry of Culture and Tourism, urged Nigerians to retrace their steps by embracing and preserving their culture.

    She also advised parents to inculcate their culture in their children and encourage them to visit historical centres.

    “Teach your children how to cook good Nigerian foods, speak indigenous languages and dress in our traditional attire before they reach the age of 11,” she said.

    Also speaking, Mrs Ifeoluwa Joseph, the Proprietress of the school, said that Nigeria would be a better place if its people could embrace their culture.

    Mrs Joseph said the country was losing its heritage and identity by allowing the western culture to override its indigenous culture and languages.

    “It is so unfortunate that the westerners we are copying and neglecting our culture for are preserving theirs from external domination and control.  We are trying as schools to teach the children our different cultures and that is why we organise events like this to practicalise what they have learnt in classes.  With this, our children will fall in love with their culture, be motivated and proud to embrace it,” she said.

    Another educationist, Mrs Iyabo Inegbedion, blamed parents for failing to teach their children their native languages and culture.

    “Charity begins at home, so we, as parents, must at all times protect our culture by teaching our children what is right.

    “We must tell them that homosexuality, fighting, cheating and nudity among other bad social vices are not our ways of life,” she said.

  • Provost laments poor reading culture

    Tertiary institutions in Nigeria have been urged to create proper library environment that will serve as pathway for e-learning for students to have access to high quality information in a variety of electronic media and information sources.

    Delivering a lecture at the annual conference and general meeting of the Committee of College Librarians held at the Adeyemi College of Education in Ondo, Ondo State, Dr. Olarewaju Issa from the Department of Library and Information Science, University of Ilorin, Kwara State, said the change in information resources has also mandated libraries to redesign their information products and services rendered to their user community.

    The lecture had the topic: “Nigerian society and academic libraries: Confluence of knowledge”.