NICO wants cultural values entrenched

Speaking during the event held in Abuja, the Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation Chief Edem Duke said that the local government as the closest arm of government to the people has a critical role to play in facilitating development at the grassroots. “Lack of consideration for culture, the fourth pillar of sustainable development, […]

Speaking during the event held in Abuja, the Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation Chief Edem Duke said that the local government as the closest arm of government to the people has a critical role to play in facilitating development at the grassroots.

“Lack of consideration for culture, the fourth pillar of sustainable development, peace, unity and national integration in Nigeria. Culture in all its diversity is critical in our response to contemporary challenges and should therefore be integrated into development plans, policies and programmes.”

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of NICO,   Dr.  Barclays Ayakoroma noted that development plans have failed because culture, which is the fundamental component and sum total of a people`s creative ingenuity, has not been taken into account.

“This workshop has therefore been carefully packaged to foster a robust interaction between our participants and expert in the field of culture and development, local government, economic planning and management, with the view to sensitizing and equipping our participants with the requisite skills and knowledge for effective service delivery. It is expected that deliberations from this workshop will bring to the fore the cultural dimension in development, which will go a long way to promote and protect our cultural resources for social regeneration and economic vitality among others,” he said.