How culture can promote economic prosperity, youth development — Experts

Kwara State-born cultural ambassador based in Canada, Prince Olaniyi Adeyemi Olatoye Titiloye, has called on tiers of government in the country to deploy culture and arts as tools for youth economic development empowerment. 

Speaking with Tribune Online in Ilorin, the cultural promoter, who is also a royal prince of Oro kingdom in the Irepodun local government area of the state, said that Yoruba arts and crafts, as part of Nigeria’s general cultural promotion, is a goldmine.

“Our culture is so rich and we have a lot to offer the society through culture. Unfortunately, the interest of Nigerians and especially, Nigerian youth is not there. In Canada, seeing the erosion of our culture among our people, we started teaching children Yoruba language, culture and then organize Asa (culture) day, a weeklong celebration of cultural activities to bring our people back to culture and change negative narration.

“Culture teaches morals, values, family integration, discipline and entrepreneurship. Culture can also bring prosperity and attract opportunities as a nation. We can export our culture to outside world, like our various textile materials, pottery, beads, footwear, caps etc. This is not about religion. Religion should not be used to discourage youth from the essence of culture and tradition. Culture is a way of life that we must explore and project to the outside world. 

“Governments can establish vocational institutions to engage youth in various aspects of culture. Governments must empower the youth and discourage them from a faulty orientation that one must work in offices. Offices are where you work and not necessarily where you have tables and chairs.”

He charged governments, religious leaders and parents to serve as link to make youth embrace culture and tradition to avoid it going into extinction. 

Titiloye, who is the president and founder of Asa Day worldwide, incorporated in Canada, enjoined stakeholders, especially, governments, to involve and not only inform youth on matters concerning culture and tradition, saying, “such traditional practices that youth are not exposed to could easily go into extinction”.

Talking about imported traditional textile materials like aso oke and Adire which are being embraced by many in the country, the cultural ambassador frowned at the development, saying that the imported textile materials cannot be anything but inferior to locally produced textile materials. 

“Their own is done by machines and not by handiwork. It can be produced in large mass, but it’s nothing compared to our local quality. Poor economic power of the people has also contributed to people embracing it,” he added.