The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) helmsman in Ondo State, Mrs. Victoria Nnenna Ani has admonished Nigerians, especially the youths to value the indigenous cultures which according to her has given them the identity they should be proud of and cherish throughout their lifetime.
The State Coordinator made the admonition while declaring open the Cultural Carnival for the 2024 Batch 'A' (Stream 1) corps members deployed to the Sunshine State.
"Let me inform you that the Cultural Carnival that you are witnessing today is designed to showcase the rich cultures of ethnics in the country and their diversity" she announced.
Ani, while encouraging the members of the service corps to defend the pride and dignity of their cultural heritage insisted that no one else can blow their trumpet about the rich cultures their forebears bequeathed to them unless they proudly do by themselves.
"I want to admonish you to promote our indigenous cultures wherever you find yourself on the surface of the earth. I am not disputing the fact that every race sees her culture as being superior to others but I want to let you know that every culture is unique with its special features which will be unveiled at this colourful event".
The NYSC Ondo State boss disclosed that the corps members have important roles to play at ensuring that the nation's cultures does not go into extinct and urged them to value what they have rather than paying more attention to the culture and ways of life modernisation and civilisation has foisted on the country.
"I want to let you know that your education and exposure stands you in a good stead to encourage the younger ones who sees you as role models and influencers to return to the old glorious days of identifying with our roots".
She enjoined them to dissipate their youthful energy to re-awaken the interest of the younger generation into the cultural heritage and identity.
"We can all be Cultural Ambassadors with the sole purpose of creating awareness and embarking on sensitisation and advocacy visits to schools, public places to show them how beautiful our cultures are".
She continued, 'As you identify and display various cultures today, let it be known that this programme should not be seen only from the angle of entertainment, rather it should be seen as a call to give more attention to the promotion of our values culturally so that we can have what to bequeath to the generations coming after us'.
The State Coordinator who is a Cultural Ambassador from Udi Local Government of Enugu State made a passionate appeal to Government at all levels, stakeholders, opinion moulders as well as community leaders to come together and fashion out ways through which the values, cultures and identity could be harnessed and given a boost.
She proposed that there should be a template to implement all the recommendations of the body to be constituted for the overall benefit of Nigerians.
The State Coordinator did not fail to acknowledge the immense contributions of all the camp officials for their resilience and team spirit, urging them not to rest on their oars.
Concluding her address, the amiable administrator admonished the corps members to enjoy themselves moderately and always remember that discipline is a hallmark of great men and women.
"Your comportment has endeared you into the hearts of the entire camp community and I want to say that we are very excited to have you around us and we are equally very proud of you all. Please, continue to maintain high degree of decorum at all times".
The culturally sensitive State Coordinator who is a traditional title holder of Lolo Odibeze led the camp officials in the procession parade to signal the beginning of the colourful event as well as cutting of the Cultural Carnival cake decked in NYSC corporate colours.
At the end of the very colourful display by all the platoons, the panel of incorruptible judges made up of personalities of high integrity had hectic time arriving at the winners because all the platoons gave a good account of themselves, and since there must be winners, they unanimously declared number two platoon as the overall winner while number six and number four platoon came second and third respectively.
