By Sumaila Ogbaje
The Provost, National Defence College Centre for Strategic Research and Studies (NDC-CSRS), Prof. Adams Ahmed, has called on the Federal Government to integrate cultural studies in academic curriculum to avoid extinction of cultural heritage.
Ahmed, who was represented by Dr Kabir Abarkaka, a Research Fellow at NDC-CSRS, made the call on Thursday at the Cultural Day celebration of NDC Day Secondary School Ushafa, Bwari.
He spoke on the theme, “Sustaining Our Cultural Heritage Towards Enhancing Nigeria’s Development.
He said that there was a thin line between development and culture, stating that culture unite, educate and entertain with economic value.
According to him, there is a nexus between culture, heritage and Economic, social and psychosocial development.
“Cultural heritage plays a vital role in shaping a country’s identity and national pride as well as serves as a reminder of a people’s history, values, and shared experiences.
“When citizens identify with their culture as we have seen today, they develop a sense of belonging and commitment to their nation.
“Studies have shown that in another 20 to 30 years, some cultures are going extinct. This is true because, some of our children can no longer speak our language, nor do they know the values of our culture,” he said.
Ahmed said the erosion of local languages and their practices and traditional values, adding that the government and school had the responsibility and opportunity to ensure that Nigeria’s rich traditions, languages, and education were not lost to modernisation and development.
According to him, government should make available funds to supporting local artists and artisans, enhancing tourism infrastructure, and then schools and educational institutions to integrate cultural studies in the curriculum.
He also urged parents and community leaders to continue to instill cultural values and traditions in the younger generations.
He urged them to promote speaking indigenous languages at home, passing down traditional knowledge and customs, encouraging participation in cultural ceremonies and festivals, mentoring and supporting youth-led cultural activities.
The Coordinator, NDC Officers’ Wives Association (NDCOWA), Mr Rhonda Olotu, commended the school for organising the event and provide opportunity for the students to showcase their cultures.
Olotu urged parents to continue to pass down their cultural heritage to their children by teaching them to understand their language, dressing and food.
The Chairman of Bwari Area Council, FCT, Mr John Gabaya represented by the Council Secretary, Mr Eli Kadanya, commended NDC for establishing the school in his area council.
Gabaya said the event was a good platform cultural exchange among various tribes and promised to support the school within his power.
The Commandant of NDC Day Secondary School, Navy Capt. Amos Habu, said the event was organised with the understanding that culture was an integral part of any nation and the various ethnic groups in the country.
Habu thanked the Commandant of the NDC, Rear Adm. Olumuyiwa Olotu, for his support for the school to be able to undertake its academic and extra-curricula activities.
“For us to sustain our culture, the government, the parents and the school in general have a role to play.
“What that means is that our culture should be instituted in our various educational curricula and that the government also has a role to fund all cultural activities, be it in the school or society.
“Parents have a role to ensure that they serve as a role model and educate their children to imbibe the speaking of their various languages.
“By doing this, we can enhance our cultural heritage and sustain it for the generations to come,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the cultural day featured cultural display such as dance, fashion and food from different ethnic groups in Nigeria. (NAN)