As part of the mandate of the Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture which is to preserve and promote culture, the Council joined the world to celebrate World Culture Day with the theme: “Culture and Moral Value in the Digital World” on Tuesday at the STO Resource Centre, Alausa, Ikeja.
In her address at the event, the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson reiterated the importance of celebrating cultural diversity that will help promote understanding and respect for different cultures, traditions, and beliefs in the State.
Benson, represented by the Director of Admin & HR in the Ministry. Mr. Taoreed Dosunmu, emphasised that the cultural day is important because it promotes understanding, fosters inclusion, combats discrimination, and encourages coexistence.
The Guest Speaker, Dr. (Mrs.) Florence Ewonazino Nweke, a senior Lecturer at the Department of Creative Arts, University of Lagos, Akoka, presented a paper on the 2024 Cultural Day theme, stressing the rich value in African Culture and the effects of the exposure from the digital world on the Nigeria Culture.
She emphasised the negative effect of social media that has been exposed to the youths and made them lazy to research and dependent on the internet for all their information which has reduced their zeal to seek more knowledge.
Dr. Florence, therefore, urged parents to be more mindful and watchful of their wards when on the internet and limit the time spent if need be. The Speaker advised that parents should instil the values and culture which they had while growing up in their wards to not lose the values of their heritage.
The CEO of Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture, Mr. Idowu Johnson remarked that as parents, adults need to do better in promoting local culture through their wards and teach them the way it is done from time immemorial.
He also emphasised the need for everyone to embrace and respect our different indigenous cultures and beliefs without any form of discrimination.
The World Cultural Day is a United Nations-sanctioned observance day for the promotion of diversity and intercultural dialogue which began in 2002 and is celebrated yearly on the 21st of May.
