Mr Folu Aderibigbe, the Commercial Coordinator of Globacom Business has called on youths not to neglect their cultural heritage and values which have become synonymous with their African identity.
Aderibigbe made the call in a news conference to announce the company's plans to sponsor the 2016 edition of the Ojude Oba Festival in Ijebu-Ode on Tuesday.
He said it was imperative not to allow the wave of modernisation erode age-old cultural activities which many young people had tagged as primitive.
Aderibigbe said if this trend was left unchecked, Nigerians would eventually become alien to the sound moral values which were the hallmark of the traditional African society.
``Unfortunately, unbridled modernisation has so much influenced on our youths negatively that the equilibrium which allows the complete integration between our culture and westernisation has been lost.
``What are prominent now among our youth are borrowed cultures and poor imitations of western ways which are detrimental to our identity as a race.
``This trend has also culminated in near annihilation of our local languages in a way that parents would rather teach their children English than our own language.
``Mothers no longer use our language, proverbs and local ballads to tell the stories of our past which underscores their importance towards charting a path for our future.”
The Globacom boss added that the challenge was further compounded by the decision of educational authorities in the country to abolish the teaching of History as a subject in the schools.
Aderibigbe said the company was in support for the clamour for the re-integration of History into the school academic curriculum.
``It is often said that someone who does not know where he is coming from will not know where his destination truly lies,” he said.
He said this was why Globacom backed the custodians of culture across the country by creating a platform for them to fully express their traditions and showcase their ingenuity.
``Our sponsorship of festivals in Nigeria is rooted in our passionate commitment to constantly support initiatives aimed at amplifying the best of Nigeria's culture and traditions,” Aderibigbe added.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman, Ojude Oba Planning Committee, Wahab Osinusi, said that the organisers of the festival were working with the Ogun State Government to fully maximise the potential inherent in tourism.
Osinusi, the Otunba Fidipote of Ijebuland, said that the tourism sector was an untapped gold mine which had the potential to alleviate poverty, create employment and generate revenue for development.
He said this year's festival’s theme; ``Ojude-Oba: Our Culture, Our Pride’’ is a cultural heritage that transcends religious divides, thereby promoting peace and aiding socio-economic development.
``The festival is not only about equestrian display, parade of culture and tradition, merry-making and funfair.
``It also boosts commerce and trade in its entirety as commercial and trading activities are at their peak before, during and after the festival.
``All the facilities; hotels, restaurants, artisans, craftsmen, transporters, professionals, market men and women, among others are fully engaged with several multiplier corporate effects,” Osinusi said.
He assured attendees of the event of adequate medical services, security and traffic management, saying all security agencies were working assiduously to ensure a hitch free celebration.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2016 Ojude Oba festival would hold two days after the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
Gov. Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa, a descendant of the Fidipote Ruling House in Ijebuland would be the special guest of honour.
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