Brig.-Gen. Adegoke Adetuyi, Commander, 9 Brigade of the Nigeria Army, Ikeja Cantonment, Lagos, has stressed the need for unity and preservation of Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage.

Adetuyi gave the advise during celebrations to mark the West Africa Social Activities (WASA), organised by the 174 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, Odogunyan barracks in Ikorodu, Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that WASA is an annual event organised by the Nigerian Army to foster civilian/military relationship and to celebrate the country’s diverse rich cultural heritage.

Adetuyi, the event’s Father of the Day, said that WASA is a platform for soldiers, families, friends of the unit and host communities to interact and socialise, celebrating the successful completion of activities of the past year.

According to him, the event was organised to encourage officers to do more in the coming year and for them to display the rich cultural heritage of the country.

“As you can see, people from different tribes have come here to showcase their dances and cuisines as a way of galvanising them together.

For the soldiers, he said: “Even though they have very important task of securing the Nation, there is also room to socialise and relax after such accomplishments.”

Adetuyi said “No matter our differences, we are all the same, we are all one, there is that beauty in that diversity that comes with unity.

“As you can see everybody comes from different backgrounds and we are celebrating together, which means we can actually forge together and make our nation great,” he said.

Earlier, Brig.-Gen. Benjamin Ipinyomi (Rtd), said that WASA was initiated during the colonial master as an avenue where families and children mingle with officers.

Ipinyomi, who is the special guest of honour, commended the army for sustaining the event and called for more funding to make it better.

Also speaking, the Commanding Officer of 174 Battalion, Lt.-Col. Muhammad Abdurrahaman, advised the unit officers to continue to do more so that the battalion will achieve all tasks and missions assigned to it by higher authorities.

Abdurrahman urged communities to continue to support the Nigerian army to ensure that they deliver on their mandates.

NAN reports that some dignitaries were presented with souvenirs to appreciate their support towards the successful programme.

While the different tribes showcased their cultural heritage, soldiers engaged in a tug-of-war show to entertain the guests.

Among the dignitaries present were Oba Aremu Shotonwa, the Sekumade of Ipakodo, Mrs Busola Isikalu, the Iyaloja general of Ikorodu division, and many retired senior military officers.

The Nigerian Cultural Heritage has concluded plans to celebrate Lagos State, children and culture on May 27.

The programme tagged Lagos@55 and Children’s Day Celebration is a cultural event to celebrate the state called Centre of Excellence, which clocks 55 on the day, while also celebrating children since the Children’s Day, fall on the same date.

It will thus host pupils from many schools to the event holding at the Lagos State Council of Arts and Culture, Alausa, Ikeja.

Director of the Nigerian Cultural Heritage, Kemi Fanimokun-Oldaipo, says in a statement, “We have invited children from different schools in Lagos State to put up cultural performances and participate in various competitions. This year’s theme is: Culture as a Tool for Nurturing and Empowering Children.

“We take particular interest in children because we want to catch them young and instill good morals in them. We recognise the fact that children learn faster, hence the campaign to save the Nigerian child from losing their cultural identity. Nigerian Children Cultural Heritage is a child-focused initiative promoting our cultural values and indigenous languages.”

She recalls that the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, has expressed support for the initiative, including via a video broadcast he made. Yet, she is praying for more, especially financial backing to help in the execution of the projects.

Fanimokun-Oladipo says, “We have a bit of challenge with parents leaving their children, especially because most parents don’t understand the essence of mother tongue and other Nigerian languages.
Funding has also really been tough. It’s mostly personal funds, support from few family and friends, products support from a few companies that have kept us going. We have yet to get the desired funding from the government and corporate bodies and the society at large. We need encouragement.
“We want government and everyone to understand the import of our crusade. Our culture is everything, our languages are our identity. A language that children don’t speak is also on its way to extinction. So, especially in an urban setting like Lagos, someone has to champion the regeneration cause and that is what we are doing at the Nigerian Cultural Heritage.”