Culture Ministry Pledges Support for Benin Traditional Council in Preserving Nigeria’s Cultural History
The Honourable Minister, Federal Ministry of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Sadiq Abubakar, has pledged the Ministry’s support to the Benin Traditional Council, for the preservation of Nigeria Cultural and traditional history.
Speaking at the launching of a book, “A Benin Coronation of Oba Erediauwa,” put together by Sun Arts BEP, in collaboration with Benin Traditional Council, and written by Tam Fiofori, a photo journalist, at the Oba Akenzua II Cultural Centre, Benin City, Edo State, on Wednesday, 30th March, 2011, the Minister who was represented by the Executive Secretary, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, stated that the Ministry is pledging total support to the project of preserving Nigeria’s cultural and traditional history, which the book being launched depicts.
Speaking further, Dr. Ayakoroma, who described the writer, Tam Fiofori, as a personal friend and colleague in the same profession, as he also is an author who had published and launched several books said, he will discuss with Mr. Fiofori as to how the Ministry can support the project in kind.
Dr. Ayakoroma, in his capacity as the Executive Secretary of NICO, commended the writer’s effort, noting that the task of documenting Nigeria’s, nay, Benin cultural and traditional history for future generations is no mean feat.
He pointed out that as an author, he understands the difficulty involved in book publishing, and thus urged Nigerians to encourage the effort of the writer by buying the book as they will find it a vivid and picturesque documentation of the Bini Culture, as he has had the opportunity of attending an exhibition of the pictures used in the book.
The NICO boss added that, descriptions of events through the use of pictures, last longer in peoples’ memories much more than descriptions in words, as the saying in cinematography goes, “A shot is worth more than a thousand words,” he said.
Furthermore, the Hon. Minister’s representative stated that the traditional and cultural documentation of the Bini people’s history as captured in the book being launched, will be a good reference point to students in NICO Training School as well as staff of the Institute.
He therefore bought 20 copies of the book, “A Benin Coronation of Oba Erediauwa,” a book described as depicting 25 years post-coronation of the Oba of Benin, as well as depicting the history, arts, myths, crafts and culture of the Benin traditional society.
The Executive Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, was represented at the event by the Honourable Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Edo State, Mr. Victor Enoghaima. Other dignitaries at the event include the Iyase of Benin, Chief Sam Igbe, who represented Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa I, the Oba of Benin, as Chairman of the occasion; the Chief launcher, Capt. Agbanyima (rtd); co-launcher Col. Paul Osa Ogbebor (rtd); the Book Reviewer, Professor Osage Edosa, who is the Vice Chancellor, Igbinedion University, Okada-Benin, as well as other high Chiefs from the Benin traditional council.
Jonathan N. Nicodemus
Corporate Affairs