LAGOS EDUCATION DISTRICT III CELEBRATES CULTURAL DAY
… As Tutor-General Harps on Mother’s Tongue
The Lagos State Education District III recently celebrated its Cultural Day with displays of cultural dances from the major tribes in the country and competitions in debates, quizzes, recitations, chants and poems by students from secondary schools under District III.
In her address at the event which took place at the Epe Grammar School’s Hall, The Tutor General/Permanent Secretary, Education District III, Dr. Olufunke Idowu Oyetola encouraged parents to communicate in their mother tongue to their wards from an early age instead of relegating and discarding it as vernacular.
“We should teach and nurture our wards to be ‘Omoluabis’ in character, attitude, respect for elders, hard work, and courage. To be persons of honour, and above all, to have integrity, which is a major factor in the Yoruba culture”, she said
Oyetola, who said a people without a knowledge of its past is like a tree without roots, also noted that apart from being a form of entertainment, the Cultural Day celebration is designed to always remind us of the richness of our culture.
She, therefore, advised everyone to show their support, promote, sustain and showcase the Day so that other Nigerians can emulate and be proud of their culture as well.
The Tutor-General maintained that the Cultural Day also aimed to provide an avenue for students to learn more about the practical aspects of the Yoruba culture and practices.
Mrs. Olabode Olukemi Taiwo, a Senior Lecturer at the Yoruba Department of the Lagos State University (LASUED), pointed out that the Yoruba culture encourages respect for elders and the elderly. She said we should preserve our culture because it is what makes us who we are as a people and we should take it as a challenge to promote our culture through our writing, speaking, dressing and entertaining.
As part of the celebration students from different schools within Education District III competed in cultural debates, Quiz, Recitation, poems and dances as well as the displays of different delicious Yoruba cuisine like Ikokore, Ojojo, Moin-Moin, Asaro, Fried Shrimp, Ofada Rice and Akara among others.
At the end of the debate, Ibeju Lekki emerged in first position and was represented by a student from Ibeju Senior School; Epe, represented by Odomola Junior Secondary School, came second and the third position went to Eti-Osa represented by a student from Lagos State Junior Model College, Badore.
For the Ewi competition Community High School Lekki came first, second position went to Epe Senior Grammar School and third place went to Epetedo Junior High School.