NAFEST: ”African stories can be money spinning venture if well packaged”

The Presenter of the famous ‘Tales by Moonlight’ on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Mrs. Nkem Osaeloka Orakwe has said African stories can be a money-spinning venture if properly harnessed and well packaged. Speaking at the ongoing National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) in Kaduna, she lamented that the influx of foreign cartoons and […]

The Presenter of the famous ‘Tales by Moonlight’ on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Mrs. Nkem Osaeloka Orakwe has said African stories can be a money-spinning venture if properly harnessed and well packaged.

Speaking at the ongoing National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) in Kaduna, she lamented that the influx of foreign cartoons and stories is overtaking the local heritage.

According to her, such African stories if well packaged can be a money-spinner due to the possible originality that can be presented to the outside world using the latest available technology.

She said the move has become pertinent because the internet has seriously affected the African children, hence, the need for an alternative platform to imbibe in them the rich African culture.

Orakwe also blamed the decadence in the society particularly among younger generation to too much exposure to foreign culture.

She however stressed the need to package programmes that will teach young ones about their own culture including how to show respect and greet elders as well educate them on why they must imbibe such culture. “Our rich cultures must be put on the front burner,” she added.

Orakwe further maintained that the African continent must concentrate on its folklores so as to check the declining fortune of its cultures.

Earlier, the Director General of National Council of Arts and Culture, Olusegun Runsewe, also stressed the need for cultural diplomacy.

He said everyone has a culture and the culture has a base which can be uprooted.

He therefore added that cultural approach can be used to address the menace of hate speeches in the country. “Cultural heritage needs to be sustained as the next wealth of  Nigeria,” he said.