Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat has stated that understanding our culture is crucial, as it serves as a bridge to self-discovery and empowerment.
Speaking on Sunday at the Prayer and Dedication of New Egbe Chieftaincy Palace, Lagos Island, the Deputy Governor added that culture allows us to unlock our full potential and proudly embrace our identity as Africans.
He noted that as a people it is important for us to understand our culture and language so that it won’t go into extinction.
Hamzat said, “There are certain things you can’t translate into English. We need to let our language be known to our children. Let our children understand that is who we are. We are not Western people. We are Africans and therefore our African culture, our African language must be pre-eminent”.
Speaking further, he stated that the Lagos State government has embarked on various programmes and policies to preserve the culture, language and tradition of the people and ensure that they are passed on to the coming generations.
“We found out that a few of our children can’t even speak our language. I think that if you don’t understand yourself, if you don’t know yourself it is a loss. In Lagos, we are doing a lot of culture teaching and I encourage others, Igbo, Hausa and others to let our language be known, and let our children understand who we are”, he stated.
While speaking on the new Chieftaincy Palace, he said it is regeneration and redevelopment from what it used to be to what it has been developed to. Hamzat stressed that regeneration is necessary in the country as the population is increasing, so there is a need for people to live in a proper and good environment.
He added that regeneration, as we all know, is important and as we are regenerating we are improving the lives of our children for a better tomorrow.
In his remarks, the Egbe of Lagos, Chief Rafui Abayomi Olusi said the significance of the project is to provide a meeting point for the Egbe Sons and Daughters at home and abroad, provide accommodations for the local population and promote mutual understanding among them.
He described the attendance of the Deputy Governor at the dedication of the Egbe Chieftaincy Palace as a homecoming as he is an offspring of the Egbe Chieftaincy Family.
In his word of exhortation, Imam Moshood Sanusi urged leaders and people in positions to serve with the fear of God, noting that there is no one greater than Allah.
He added that the fear of God is important to govern a nation to greatness, saying “We need to honour God because whoever honours him shall be honoured. No man is in a position because of his knowledge or understanding but by the grace of Allah that has chosen him/her to be there. It is therefore important for people in positions or leaders to serve with the fear of God and be fair to humanity”.
