Monarch blames Africa's challenges on erosion of culture, tradition

dimeji akinloye

July 8, 2016 7:21 AM

He said that this, to a large extent, had impacted negatively on the people’s way of life.

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.

The Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba

Ogunwusi said this while delivering the 2015/2016 annual lecture of the School of Postgraduate Studies of the University of Lagos, on Thursday in Lagos.

The theme of the lecture is: "Redefining the Role of Traditional Institutions for National Development’’.

According to him, African culture and tradition are gradually giving way to westernization in several aspects.

He explained that most of the things borrowed from the western culture had confused the thinking and way of life of Africans.

"There is nothing wrong borrowing from another.

"But the truth is that such things that are borrowed need to be properly aligned and harmonized in such a way that it will not affect our own way of life.

"Before the colonial masters came, they met our culture, tradition and kingship system; the way our affairs were being directed.

"By that time, there were no boundaries and yet kingdoms and territories were secured and we all had respect for one another.’’

The monarch said Africa was and still remained the centre of the world and therefore, must strive to trace and reclaim its lost tradition, values as well as culture and retain them.

According to him, another challenge facing Africans is that they do not appreciate what they have.

Ogunwusi explained that for the black race to sustain their worth among mankind, they must look inwards, believe in themselves as well as redirect their orientation.

"Any stream that forgets its source must surely run dry.

"It is only proper for us to know where we are coming from, in order for us to be able to determine where we are going to.

"I have been asking questions on what is fundamentally wrong with the black race.

"We have everything but do not put it to good use.

"Brothers are killing their own brothers and sisters doing the same.

"Our forefathers have bequeathed so many traditional legacies to make life easy for us. Let us put them to good use.’’

READ: Ooni of Ife attracts fire service attention in Washington DC

The monarch urged traditional rulers as custodians of culture, to rise up to their responsibilities in safeguarding those cultural heritage that bound the people.

He noted that the traditional institutions were closer to the people and therefore, must also strive to work closer with the political leaders in improving the lives of the people.

According to him, both the traditional rulers and the politicians lead exemplary lives.

dimeji akinloye

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