Photo caption: A cross section of the participants at the event
Culture enthusiast, playwright, youth ambassador, business pundits were among the nationalists making a call for boosting GDP with creative economy and ensuring peaceful-co-existence in Lagos.
At a recent event, they were of the common view and conclusion that socio-economic and political activities thrive tremendously in any peaceful nation, and local and foreign investments are afterwards encouraged.
The General Manager, National Theatre,now Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, Mrs.Tola Akerele, while reflecting on: “Harnessing Cultures in Nigeria for National Peace and Unity” during “Reflections and Fests – an International Gathering Celebrating Nigeria”, convened by Biodun-Thomas Davids, journalist and dramatist, enthused that “Culture softens ground where dialogue can happen;where political arguments fail a simple song can heal;where suspicions thrive the stage can open eyes.”
Going further poetic while making case for culture relative to peaceful co-existence, Akerele who was represented by the Head, Human Resource Management of the newly renovated Centre, Mrs. Bunmi Jimoh added that, “Where division tries to sow itself like a weed our stories become the counter-narrative, telling us, ‘Look closer, you and this other person are not so different.”
In a similar statement, she made an urgent call for harnessing our cultural heritage which she said is not optional in bridging understanding.
Photo caption: A cross section of the participants at the event
She hinged the urgency on the fact that Nigeria is changing and young people are redefining identity using digital tools, music, films, theatre and fashions to build new pathways.
According to her, “They are already speaking language of unity-one that is creative,expressive and bold and it is our responsibility to amplify it.”
In a fictional picture while reaching conclusion,she said, “Let us all imagine a Nigeria where cultural exchange is not an occasional event but a national mindset,
“Where a Yoruba child knows the story of Queen Amina and an Igbo child can dance Korotso, Nigeria where a Hausa child can perform Tiv folktale, a Nigeria where every Nigerian proudly says, ‘All of these cultures belong to me,’
“That is the Peace we seek that is the unity we deserve.”
While making case for creative economy, Biodun-Thomas Davids,pointed out that, “Aside its unifying role, there is beauty, tourism attractions and millions of millions of euros, pound sterlings ,dollars, yens, yuans, ruans, dinars, rupees etc in Nigerian ethno-cultural diversity if well harnessed.
He premised his point on the fact that
in Nigeria there are over 250 ethnic groups and not less than 500 languages, sweetened with shades of regional traditions, norms, culture, ballets, fashion and fads and bringing them together to form a very inviting whole means not just a unifying factor for Nigeria but also currencies.”
In his Welcome speech, he was of the view that our several differences and grievances can be addressed in as much as they were not there from the beginning of the country.
He concluded that there can always be a panacea for ailing part of the body, instead of calling for removal of it.
In his keynote address for the occasion, bordering on, “Youths As a Catalyst for Fostering National and International Peace, Unity and Progress in Nigeria”, the Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Hon. Mobaloji Ogunlende identified, economic empowerment especially for Youth, the most effective form of Peace-building as the “most profound link that’s often overlooked”.
According to him, when the young feel “validated, productive and economically secured they are fundamentally insulated from the pull of extremism or the lure of antisocial behaviour”.
He noted that, “Economic inclusion breeds ownership and ownership breeds Unity.”
While discountenancing charity instead of empowerment for youth, Ogunlende who was represented by Amb. Obadare Adenekan, expressed that, “Our call is not for Charity but for strategic partnership.We need you to move beyond tokenism involvement and commit to venture-level economical investment,technical mentorship and streamlined regulatory access for these young innovators.This is how we can collectively insulate our nation from economic volatility.”
While fleshing out on “Reflections…Fests-International Gathering Celebrating Nigeria”, Davids explained that ,”The concept is two pronged- The “Reflections” aspect bothers on ruminating on and xraying the state of the nation, especially socio-ethno religious issues often giving rise to avoidable civic unrests in the country, while the “Fests” aspect is hinged on festivities, that is, celebrating medley of wonderful things about Nigeria,including-natural treasures, cultural diversity, fashion and fads, multi-lingual rhythms.”
According to him,making the event international is inspired by the need to boost bilateral relationships with other countries especially those having expatriates in Nigeria.
While announcing the season 2 of the concept, he mentioned that while the season 1 was replete with speech presentations on Nigeria,season 2 will surely be all about full length stage performance of “Cry for Change”, a play text on Nigeria that fuses reflections on the state of the nation with celebrating rich culture among others in Nigeria in its pageantry epilogue.
He added that, the season 2 is premeditated to be a very colourful event with cultural troupes from different parts of the country performing while as many as possible of indigenes and people of different nationalities will be invited to witness the occasion.
