The lawmaker, representing Orumba North and South federal constituency in the Federal House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ben Nwankwo, has reaffirmed his belief in the cultural approach towards ensuring peace and social integration in Nigeria; saying culture can be used as a tool to avert killings as a result of religious and ethnic crises.
Nwankwo, a former Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Culture and Tourism stated this recently in Enugu during the 2nd edition of the New Yam Festival (Iri Ji), organized by the Enugu State office of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), where he received award of excellence as a Cultural Ambassador.
According to him, if Nigeria’s efforts towards ensuring sustainable peace and security must be realized, there are critical stakeholders that cannot be neglected. In his words “The present security challenges in the country can be resolved by engaging stakeholders in the political, religious and traditional institutions and getting them to speak to and monitor their subjects and their activities. This, he said, would definitely bring about lasting peace”. This brings to fore, the critical role of traditional rulers in peace and nation building.
While commending the management of NICO for the continued efforts aimed at bringing culture to limelight in nation building, Nwankwo opined that NICO’s recognition of people who have contributed to the growth and sustenance of culture in the country will go a long way to spur them to do more.
He therefore promised to galvanize public opinion to sponsor a legislative bill that will restore the country’s lost glory and called on his fellow awardees to bring their wealth of experiences and support NICO in this cultural re-awakening project.
The occasion attracted dignitaries from Enugu State and beyond, including traditional rulers; government representatives; captains of industries; the academia, students and the general public.
Corporate Affairs Unit
NICO, Enugu