THE Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC), last Monday, staged an inter-secondary schools debating competition with the theme, Does culture have a role to play in curbing insecurity in Nigeria?
Organised in collaboration with the Society for the Performing Arts in Nigeria, (SPAN), the contest was part of activities lined-up to celebrate 2013 Children’s Day anniversary, and also, to sensitise school children the importance of culture in the society.
But the event was not all talks, as there were cultural presentations and poetry recitations from participating schools.
Before the welcome speech by the Director General of CBAAC, Professor Tunde Babawale, there was a light entertainment from Uncle Jimi Solanke’s band. Students of Baptist Model College also thrilled guests with a cultural dance. Students of Corona Secondary School were not left out, as they showcased their creativity in the spoken word. The duo of Saka and Sule of the Lafomania group were also on hand to entertain participants.
Babawale, in his speech, argued that the prosperity of the nation reside in the values children are exposed to at home, school and the society. He called on parents to give more attention to their children for them to be the future leaders that they ought to be.
“We must constantly teach them the values of honesty, hard work, humility, civility and integrity in private and public conduct. Our children must be made boys and girls of good breeding as demanded by our culture. Such properly bred individuals are described as Ezigbonwa among the Igbo, Mutum kirki among the Hausa and Omoluabi among the Yoruba.
“You will agree with me that no one deserves more attention and celebration than our children. They symbolise the bridge that link our today with our tomorrow and even the future. Because of their importance in our society and lives, the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation is statutorily established to preserve, promote and propagate African culture as well as investing in children and youths.”
He disclosed that the centre’s interest and investments in children and youth programmes are encouraged by the fact that children are malleable and can be turned into positive torchbearers, thereby helping in facilitating societal growth and development.
According to him, though government has been making efforts to confront some of the challenges facing the youths, it is clear that more still need to be done, as there is need to see the challenges facing the children and youths as a desperate disease that needs a desperate remedy.
The CBAAC boss disclosed that the insecurity in the country made the centre to pick a theme to look at how culture could play a role in providing solution.
“ Our children live daily with the threats of robbery, kidnappings and other forms of violent conduct. It is also sad to note that the culture of tolerance that characterises inter-group and inter-state relationships and helps to promote societal harmony, cohesion and peaceful co-existence, which was once treasured in our contemporary times have disappeared. Given this situation and the desire to halt the descent into anomie, using the instrumentality of culture, CBAAC took the decision to dedicate this year’s edition of our international Children’s Day celebration to the theme: Does Culture Have A Role To Play In Curbing Insecurity In Nigeria?”
Guests that graced the event include two monarchs, the Aroyekeye 1, Oba Dokun Abolarin, and the Osamawe and Paramount Ruler of Ondo Kingdom, Oba Victor Adesimbo Kiladejo, Jilo 111 while the Erelu of Lagos, Abiola Dosunmu, chaired the event.
In his speech, Oba Kiladejo stated that traditional rulers can perform a pivotal role in the use of culture to promote security, noting that it is incumbent on all royal fathers to use their thrones to foster security through the promotion of several aspects of culture that emphasise peace and development.
Oba Abolarin commended CBAAC for investing in children. He noted that despite the challenges confronting the nation, the future of the country is very bright.
The Chair of the event, Erelu Abiola, said adults in some ways have failed the children. She stressed the importance of loving our neighbour, adding that it is panacea to peace. She enjoined all to love one another.
The President of SPAN, Mrs. Sarah Boulos, commenting on the importance on culture, stated that a country does not exist without art, as culture and art are the life of the country. She maintained that without the art, children cannot live.
The schools that took part in the debate are Mbari Mbayo Secondary School, Corona Secondary School, St Gregory Secondary School, Tinder College Secondary School, Rolex Secondary School, Kings College and Topgrade Secondary School. The schools through their representatives, two each, argued for and against the role of culture in curbing insecurity.
Before the debate, a documentary on the series of Children’s Day programme organised by CBAAC was played while Precious Ige, a young boy, wowed guests and the students with his dexterity on the talking drum.
Also, Starfield College, St Gregory College, Ewu Tutu Secondary School, entertained the children and guests with different cultural dance displays.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
