Nawgu (Anambra) – Igwe George Okaa-Onwuogu, the Traditional Ruler of Nawgu Community in Anambra State has urged the Federal and state governments to re-package indigenous cultures to attract foreign exchange.
“Our culture needs first-class packaging, just like the English has packaged football to be good foreign exchange earner,” Okaa-Onwuogu told newsmen in an interview in Nawgu, Dunukofia Local Government Area of the state.
He said that the outside world, especially the people of Europe, held African culture in high esteem, adding that the world was longing to see African culture in display at international events.
“And that is why even the governments – both the local, states and federal governments are spending a lot of money to revive cultures of different tribes.
“And you see that some of them go overseas for exhibition.
“And you know, African culture is the best so far I have watched anywhere in the world.
“And once they hear that Africans are displaying their culture, everybody will be interested in watching them and see what they are doing.’’
The traditional ruler, however, advised parents and elders in the communities to strive to transmit their indigenous cultures to the children.
“Why some of the aspects of our cherished culture is dying, especially our traditional healing method, is because most elders refuse to hand this knowledge over to the younger generation,’’ he said.
Okaa-Onwuogu said that traditional rulers under the Anambra Traditional Rulers’ Council had been meeting to see the best way to retrieve and document all existing cultural practices in the state.
