Former governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, has called for cultural reorientation among Nigerians to enhance good governance and economic development.
Kalu made the call while delivering his lecture titled “Culture, Economy and good governance: Nigerian Experience” at the first quarterly public lecture on Tuesday in Abuja.
The lecture with the theme, “Culture, Economy and good Governance: The Nigerian Experience” was organised by the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO).
Kalu said that the ethnic groups in Nigeria were unique in their various ways including music, food, masquerade, fashion and many others.
“This means opportunities for economic emancipation of the different ethnic groups in Nigeria, but our penchant to zero on white collar jobs leaves us crying and suffering the effects of unemployment.
“With over 250 ethnic groups in Nigeria, if each is to develop four of its cultural attributes like fashion, music, painting, dancing including masquerades, you will be talking of one million different cultural items to put into the market,” Kalu said.
“We must begin to see the economic opportunities inherit in our cultures.
I do not mouth it; I have been putting it into practice. At the beginning of every year, in my village at Igbere, I hold cultural expo which attracts thousands of people.
He added that if given the opportunity to lead the country, he would reintroduce War against Indiscipline to Nigerians to strengthen cultural practices and correct some ills in the society.
Kalu suggested that culture, should be respected and maintained.
He said during his tenure, his ‘Age Grade’ from his village came and took away his television because he was indebted to the local group to about N49,000 in dues and levies.
He said even when he could order security agencies to stop them, he did not because that was the culture and rules governing the group, thus he had to pay the sum to get his television back.
Kalu said that when top government officials were in foreign countries, they obeyed their laws, rules and regulation, but back in Nigeria, they disobey the laws of the land.
The philanthropist said that Crude Oil was a curse to Nigeria as it had made most people lazy and always waiting for Federal Government to share oil revenue.
“I believe that from our culture and creative sector we can create and export items that people out there will need which will help grow our economy away from dependence on oil.
“However, while government does its thing, individual societies also must work to help create conditions that encourage investment and development.
Also, peace and stability is imperative for economic development.
“Nevertheless, we have to begin to review our social attitudes to see how they affect economic investment and growth in our areas.
“I see the possibilities inherit in our cultural festivals for tourism and investment; our music, dance, food etc create investment opportunities and have the capacity to create jobs that will add to the GDP of our country,” Kalu said.
He noted that the area where culture had demonstrated as having great impact in the economy of a state was in the area of tourism.
Kalu explained that the Calabar Carnival, which grew from cultural endowments of the people of the state, was now an annual festival contributing to the GDP of the state.
“According to estimates made by Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State, the 2017 edition attracted about two million visitors to the state. That is a huge number that goes with its economic potentials.
“And because of the success of the carnival, many other states in the southern flank of Nigeria are developing their versions.
“I am sure that a well organised festival of masquerades in the south east will attract investments and tourists; and help grow economics of the states.
“It is the same with Durbar festivals in the north flank of the country.
“Also, our artifacts have export potentials; In Kenya, tourism alone earns the country forex, what tourists spend on art works, craft, carving, sculptors etc add a lot to the country’s income.
“Can do the same in Nigeria? Again, the answer is simple. Yes, we can if we put our hearts and minds to them,” he said.
