A Canada-based Nigerian cultural ambassador and founder, ‘Asa Day’ worldwide, Prince Joel Oyatoye, has called on governments at all levels and corporate organisations to channel resources to the promotion of the nation’s cultural heritage.
He described cultural heritage as a catalyst for sustainable development.
Oyatoye, who made the call during an interview with LEADERSHIP Sunday in Ilorin at the weekend, maintained that if promotion of cultural heritage is given required attention, it would bring more opportunities for Nigeria.
Oyatoye, who is a prince of Oro Kingdom in Kwara State, also appealed to parents to inculcate cultural values and traditions in their children to bring the best out of them. He reiterated the need to encourage and empower the youths through the introduction of technical education that will give priority attention to handiwork.
“We got it wrong from our style of education. Artworks should also be considered as formal education and not apprentice and whoever that specialises in handiwork or artworks should also be accorded the same opportunity because theirs is also an education.
“We got it wrong from the education. We must start from the education. In the past, education didn’t start with practicum; it started with white and black, and that is why we see those that do the handwork as apprentice but it shouldn’t be. Education is education, be it practical or theoretical,” he said.
