The Lagos State government and the United States Consulate in Lagos have stressed the need for Nigerians, particularly Lagosians, to promote tourism and preserve African culture.
In their separate addresses at the Festival of Arts and Culture tagged Culturati 2024, held over the weekend at Freedom Park, Lagos Island, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism Arts and Culture, Mr Idris Aregbe, the Public Affairs Officer, US Consulate in Lagos, Julie McKay, and other speakers
reiterated the need to promote African culture.
It would be recalled that Lagos Island was agog until the wee hours of Sunday during the Culturati 2024, organised by the Lagos State government through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, in conjunction with Culturati Africa and other private organisations.
The event, ‘Celebrate Diversity and Unity,’ aims to promote tourism, preserve African culture, and showcase talents in the creative industry to the global community.
Aregbe said the annual festival promotes Lagos’s economic development, calling on youths to embrace their mother tongue and avoid the westernisation of Nigerian culture.
Julie McKay said the event was a fantastic way to learn about culture, share culture and connect with people.
He assured more collaboration, noting that the United States has invested over $1.2 million to promote tourism in Lagos.
“The US mission here in Nigeria is about preserving and sharing culture. We have invested over $1.2 million to help Nigerians preserve their culture. It is about connecting different cultures, collaborating, and learning about them. We support that, and I am so happy to be here,” he said.
Earlier, the chief executive officer of Culturati, Adetola Bakinsola, stated that the high point of this year’s event was the feature of a community library to promote increased literacy and cultural education among youths.
She said, “This platform celebrates traditional art, craft, music, storytelling, entertainment, and fashion, ensuring these elements are preserved and passed on in engaging and innovative ways. Supporting this event fosters pride in our African identity and sustains traditions for this generation and beyond.”
On his part, the Atayero of the Aramoko Kingdom, Oba Olusegun Aderemi, noted that Nigeria is blessed with talents that are sought after globally; hence, the need for diversification of the nation’s economy from crude oil to creative industries.
He said, “My advice to youths on preserving Nigerian culture is to look more inward. Foreigners are stealing most of our culture, and this culture is what we inherit. The best we can do is preserve and manage it; we cannot take away from it or add to it.
“So we are using this to encourage our youths to see the benefits and future here and how expensive and profitable it is.”
During the event, plaques were presented to those who distinguished themselves in the creative industry, including Miss Nigeria 1979 and Queen Helen Prest-Ajayi.
Some participants commended the Lagos State government for investing hugely in the creative industry to empower the youths and, like Oliver Twist, advocated more empowerment for the youth to be self-reliant in the face of economic realities.
