Expert sees re-orientation of Nigerians as catalyst to change
The Senate last week began screening the nominees for ministerial positions who will assist to achieve the expected ‘change’ but Barclays Ayakoroma, executive secretary for Cultural Orientation said that if national orientation is left out in the process, the change may be a mirage.
Basing his argument partly on the re-orientation of the citizens through the War Against Indiscipline in 1984 and its positive impact, Ayakoroma who spoke recently at the Nigerian Guild of Editors forum in Bayelsa believed that national orientation is a catalyst for change.
According to him, it is important that government in its march to achieve the change Nigerians are yearning for, it weaves orientation which he sees as a forerunner to development around cultural values.
“A critical study of the Nigerian society suggest that it is actually re-orientation that is needed for the sought after development. This is premised on the realization that the country lost direction at a point in our political development. Thus, re-orientation implies one who had been oriented before but had veered off the defined path>
Ayakoroma who told the editors at their 11th conference in Yenegoa so much has been said and it is still said about ‘change’ but there has been no serious mention of ‘orientation’ said if the Federal Government under the leadership of Muhammadu Buhari makes culture the centre-piece of its national orientation, the country stands to benefit economically, socially and politically.
Believing in pure cultural values which are not adulterated, Ayakoroma said “the advice has always been for us to go back to our roots; to our core value system. This is where the citizenry imbibe African culture which encapsulates genuine love for people and the country, knowledge of Nigerian indigenous languages, promoting Nigerian dress culture, respect for elders and constituted authority, hard work, honesty, fear of God, integrity, humility, accountability and transparency”
Thinking that there is constant erosion of cultural values which has impacted negatively on Nigerians psyche, Ayakoroma argued that culture provides the ready framework for Nigeria to explore to actualize the type of national orientation that could catalyse positive change.
“This has to be predicated on the type of national orientation that will influence the value system; that will act as a catalyst to change the mindset of the people; that will move the country forward; and that should start from the attitudinal change of the individual, predicated on the individual being proud of his country, readiness to render selfless service, love and respect another and cultivating the never -say -die spirit.
Daniel Obi