VP says culture is a tool for value orientation, economic prosperity

chika ebuzor

February 12, 2016 5:36 AM

Osinbajo made the observation when he received a delegation of the Governing Council of Jewel of Africa, a Reality TV Show, led by Sen. Olorunnimbe Mamora.

Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, on Thursday identified culture as a tool the country could use to promote rich and enduring values and grow the economy as done in advanced countries.

The Vice President made the observation when he received a delegation of the Governing Council of Jewel of Africa, a Reality TV Show, led by Sen. Olorunnimbe Mamora.

According to Osinbajo, through cultural expressions in the entertainment industry, important messages such as the imperative that truth will always win can be conveyed.

He said the country should reconsider the use of various cultural performances to promote some of our much cherished cultural values and norms with important underlying messages.

According to him, "in the western cultural impartation, there is an underlying theme that truth always wins.”

Osinbajo observed that culture is a veritable vehicle for addressing societal ills especially among young people.

He emphasised that "it is only through culture, by way of popular films, music, arts, that the society can pass important messages without boring people.”

The Vice President, however, noted that there was need for creativity, stating: "it is important we have creative ways of shaping our society.

"This way, the nation is seen as having good values and its culture is not buried.’’

He stated that cultural expressions could regenerate lofty values and make them cherished.

He told the delegation that culture could also be used to achieve both economic and tourism objectives as well as job creation.

Osinbajo explained that like in America, the entertainment industry in Nigeria particularly ‘Nollywood’ had made Nigerian culture very popular in Africa and in the World.

The Vice President commended the ideals of the 'Jewel of Africa' Reality TV Show describing it as "definitely worthwhile and enterprising."

He expressed the view that with the integrity and experience of members of the governing council, the project would succeed.

In his remarks, Mamora, expressed the support of the organisation for the Change Agenda of the Buhari administration.

He said the Reality TV Show was conceived to rejuvenate the African culture and tourism industry and also resuscitate Africa’s diverse cultural heritage by harnessing them for the tourism sector of the economy.

chika ebuzor