Calls for preservation of cultural heritage echoed at Edo fiesta

By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

The need for Nigerians to preserve their rich cultural heritage echoed on Tuesday at the 5th edition of the Cultural Orientation and Sensitization fiesta in Benin City, Edo State Capital.
Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, Member, Representing Oredo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives made the call while addressing a cross session of participants at the competition which was organized by the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) in collaboration with the House Committee on Culture and Tourism.
The lawmaker said the four-day event tagged, “culture consciousness, empowerment and the future of the Nigerian student”, was geared towards inculcating the values of culture into students of secondary schools
Ogbeide-Ihama, who is also the Chairman House Committee on culture and tourism, noted that despite the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic, they have been able to
sustain the annual event by devising a strategy to organise this year’s edition.
He urged both students in both Senior and Junior Secondary Schools in Oredo Local Government Area of the State, to do their best in the competitive events.
He listed the events to include cultural quiz, debate competition, traditional cuisine as well as traditional music and dance.
“This 5th edition is a unique one considering the pandemic. Over the years, we have been able to discover talents and today there is hardly any students in public schools that cannot recite the national anthem and pledge.
“Culture is a way of life; if we do not imbibe it in our students or children from birth then we are going to have fundamental issues as generations pass by.
“I value these children and I don’t joke with them. They pushed for my victory at the 2019 poll.
In his remarks, Executive Secretary National Institute for
Cultural Orientation (NICO), Ado Muhammed, said the event serves as a medium for cultural revitalisation and reorientation for the young generation.
Muhammed who was represented by the deputy director orientation and cultural affairs of NICO, Franca Okoro said, “culture has been a vital force for accelerating human development especially when its untapped potential are well harnessed”.
Edo College, Emotan girls College, Oredo girls College, Iyekogba, Ihogbe College, Akenzua secondary school are among the participating schools in the competition.