Our culture frowns on unruly behaviour

In Nigeria, among the Yoruba to be precise, our culture frowns on unruly behavior. We believe that our elders should be given respect as we value our culture so much. Also, respect begets respect. However, as the Governor Abiola Ajimobi/LAUTECH crisis shows, our culture is at a very low point. We now have students who do not accord respect to leaders whom they claim are too temperamental to get  their deserved respect.

The recent altercation between the governor of Oyo State and some LAUTECH students who protested over the closure of their institution at the state secretariat recently brought to the fore, the extent to which our culture has been eroded. To say the least, the lack of respect on the part of the students reiterates the erosion of our cultural values.

I am not trying to be biased on this issue, but the fact remains that giving honour to whom it is due is the best thing to do. LAUTECH is a state university and most of the students there are Yoruba, which makes their unruly behavior particularly unacceptable.

There is no society that develops when violence is used to settle disputes. I know of people who could not graduate on time due to violent protests by students. Dialogue, engagement and attitudinal change should be observed by all and sundry to uplift our cultural values and morals.

• Esther Olowoyeye

Ota, Ogun State