Commissioner urges Igbo Community leaders on cultural activities

Anambra Commissioner for Culture, Tourism and Entertainment, Mr Don Onyenji, has called on community leaders and stakeholders to engage in activities that would promote Igbo core values and cultural heritage to build a solid society.

Onyenji said that the concept to seek a development of Igbo core values and embrace their culture would ensure respect for unity, peace and development of the Igbo society and other world around them. He made the call in an interview on Tuesday in Awka.

Onyenji said that the Igbo race is known for respect for elders, love for one another and hard work, and attributed the value drain syndrome to a copy of wrong modernisation.

He said that the Igbo has gone astray and time is now apt for parents, guardians, community leaders, religion-based organsations to sit up to rightly train the younger generation.

"We need to bring back our cultural reorientation to correct the ugly trend before it is too late for the salvation of the children to be achieved," he said.

He said that parents should commence orientation of their children by teaching them Igbo language, beliefs, and ways of living.

"Our children should be taught to be proud of the Igbo language, they should speak it, they should proudly adorn themselves with Igbo cultural attire as often as possible to make image impression of their area," he said.

Onyenji urged Igbo people, at home and in diaspora, to upheld the training of their children into activities associated with Igbo race like to speak and write Igbo language, farming, and how to cook Igbo delicacies, amongst others.

Onyenji said that Anambra Governor, Prof Charles Soludo, desired to revive development of the Igbo society through promoting Igbo cultural values such as respect for elders, eating Igbo food and using Igbo fabrics.

He also disclosed that Soludo is determined to identify and develop museums and tourist sites in all the communities in Anambra and urged all to support the governor to achieve his good intentions for the State.

He called on all Igbo race to love themselves and be their brother's keepers as that is a major attribute of Igbo people.

Onyenji pleaded with the people to partner the security agencies nearest to their homes by offering quality information to the nearest police station.

"We desire peaceful and calm environment to enhance continued economic and social development in the State.