Dignitaries task parents, pupils on cultural heritage

Over time, many people have lamented the erosion of culture in the society and its impact on the younger generation, attributing it to the rise in social vices and decadence experienced in the nation at present.

The need to impart cultural values in children to ensure they have a holistic education was the focus of the Cultural Day Programme held by Sonbeam preparatory school in Ibadan, where eminent Nigerians gathered to celebrate the culture of the land and also encourage parents on the need to embrace their culture and impart cultural values on their children.

Dignitaries at the programme to encourage the children include Professor Bolanle Awe, Oloye Lekan Alabi and Mr Jide Olubamgbe among many others.

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The Agbaakin Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oloye Lekan Alabi, led the call for a revival of cultural education and values among parents, adding that a child that is properly trained in the culture of his people is not likely to deviate from the right path.

He held that not teaching the children their culture is not only cheating them out of knowing who they are but also giving them a wrong sense of identity that may cause internal conflict for them in future.

According to him, bringing up children with the right cultural values will create a society that will be filled with children that will grow up into responsible adults and bring glory to their families and the society at large.

He stated that teaching a child his native language will not put the child at any disadvantage but will aid the education and sense of worth of such a child, adding that a child that doesn’t know where he is from or the values of his heritage is likely to grow into a conflicted adult and this he said transcends through generations and may lead to erosion of the cultural heritage of the people.

Speaking on the vision behind the programme, the proprietor of the school, Mr Adesegun Obajimi, stated that the trend of children not understanding their native language or their cultural values is a dent on the education of a child, adding that it is difficult to instill moral values in a child that knows nothing about his culture and what he represents.

He explained that the need to ensure any child that passes through the school has an all-round education that will put them in good stead in the future is the reason the school ensures they have cultural education.

The programme according to him is not only to celebrate cultural values or educate the children but also to change the wrong orientation in some parents who feel that if their children are exposed to their language and culture, they won’t be good in English Language.

“This is not about the children alone but also for parents and guardians to know that culture is part of who we are and it should not be relegated to the background. We want children to have an understanding of where they come from and the way of life there. This is the reason for the culture day celebration,” Obajimi stated.

The headmistress of the Sonbeam preparatory school, Mrs Wunmi Obajimi, while speaking on the programme stated that it is also to build tolerance and understanding.

“Today, we are marking and observing our cultural day because we want the awareness of our culture in Nigeria for the pupils of this school as they are growing; from their foundational age, we want them to know that Nigeria has a culture. A diverse culture and we want them to know that they are from different parts of a whole, that they are from different origins so they can understand themselves and respect each other’s culture and way of life.

“We want them to know the basics of our culture, like in the southwest, greeting is important. We want them to understand our different way of dressing, cuisine and beliefs so they know their identity. We want our students to have that background, that is why we like to observe this cultural day annually to exhibit our cultural heritage,” she stated.

Highlight of the programme is cultural presentation and dances from various tribes by students of the school and invited schools like Francis M and Rosegate schools.