By Segun Giwa
Ikare-Akoko, (Akure) – Mrs Grace Akpabio, the Ondo State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), on Sunday, advised corps members to be proud of and identify with their culture.
Akpabio gave the advice at the NYSC permanent orientation camp in Ikare-Akoko during a cultural carnival put together by the 2019 Batch ‘C’ (Stream 1) corps members.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the carnival showcased the rich culture of the major tribes in the country.
The coordinator said that the corps members should encourage fellow countrymen to promote the rich and diverse culture in Nigeria beyond the nation’s shores.
“My excellent, wonderful and outstanding corps members, it is better to be known by your cultural identity than to be living in a borrowed culture, which will make you second class citizens, even in your own country.
“You may wish to know that your culture, which majority of you detest and deride, has remained a source of inspiration to many foreigners who travel long distance to celebrate with us in Nigeria,” she said.
Akpabio said she wanted Nigerians to change their thinking and perception about the indigenous culture.
“It is most disheartening that many Nigerians in the Diaspora have relegated their culture to the background, as they find it difficult to let the people know that they have very rich cultural heritage, which others are clamouring to associate with.
“My dear children in the national service, I want you to begin to spread the good news about our culture to the outside world.
“A situation whereby parents adorn their children in foreign attires all the time and refuse to teach them indigenous languages should no longer be the order of the day.
“Your coming together from different parts of the country to showcase various cultures is an indication that given the right attitude and encouragement by government and the people of this country, we can restore the dignity that has eluded us through the preference for foreign culture,” she said.
She enjoined the corps members to invest their time and resources by researching into various cultures, while at the same time challenging the government to initiate policies that would encourage investment in the nation’s local content.
NAN reports that Platoon Nine, displaying the Akwa Ibom cultural diversity, came first, while Platoon Four, displaying the Hausa/Fulani culture, came second, and Platoon Eight, displaying the Benue/Tiv dance,