Culture is the way of life of a people. In Nigeria, culture is Art. It is religion, it is tradition, it is environment, it is life itself. Art in Nigeria dates back to over 2,000 years and in the archaeological discoveries that depicted the works of the people, the cultures of the various peoples of Nigeria are also illustrated.
These and many are the issues discussed in the National Conference on Culture and Society in Nigeria which took place at the Conference Centre, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife on the 22nd-23rd of March, 2007. This Conference was organized by the Department of History, OAU in conjunction with The Centre For Black And African Arts And Civilization (CBAAC).
The objective of the conference was to determine how best knowledge about culture and society in a plural and post colonial arrangement could be used to develop new strategies for promoting national unity and creating a positive national identity. Who Am I? a Nigerian? , an African? when one answers this question the issue of identity comes in
As young Nigerians and future leaders there is need for us to always remember our roots and our history because it is our heritage and pride when and where ever we find our self.
The centrality of culture to national development continues to attract the attention of policy makers and scholars. As part of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and the universally recognized potentials of culture for sustainable development, the United Nations as well as the Federal Government of Nigeria is once again re-emphasizing the strategic role of culture in national and international cooperation and development.
Culture preserves identity and identity gives a sense of self worth; much needed for national development. The quality of our self concept necessarily determines our commitment to the Nigerian project. the question WHO AM I ?come in
A New Nigeria is possible
Esther Agbarakwe
Calabar, Nigeria
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