Controversy surrounding the place of traditional oath-taking in the country’s polity deepened yesterday as Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Muhammed, backed the practice describing its adoption as ‘an urgent need to correct’ societal and moral decadence in Nigeria’s public service.
Muhammed stated this on the occasion of the Inter-Schools Debate/Competition organised by the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC) to mark the International Children’s Day, at the Banquet/Conference hall of the National Theatre Complex.
The debate which held under the theme “Should traditional oath-taking be encouraged among public office holders,” was also graced by the Senate Committee chairman on Tourism and Culture, Senator Bako Gassol.
Describing the choice of theme of the debate as relevant as it explores the importance of Nigeria’s culture, Muhammed, who was represented on the occasion by the permanent secretary in the ministry, Alhaji Seidu Ozigiz, added that the focus on traditional oath-taking draws attention to aspects of the country’s culture that in turn provide answers to factors militating against Nigeria’s economic development and growth.
“Our culture promotes values such as honesty, diligence and hardwork, however, it is lamentable that these values which are part of our traditional lifestyles are now replaced with the culture of impunity, laziness. We attach little or no importance to our promises irrespective of our beliefs. We do this to our peril and at a great cost to the progress of our people and country. Consequently, I agree that there is an urgent need to correct the situation,” said Muhammed. The Minister therefore stressed that the solution to the impact of corruption and other vices affecting the country’s socio-economic and political life lies in the promotion of the positive aspects of the country’s culture.
“The solution to the impact of corruption and other vices affecting our socio-political life lies in the promotion of and recourse to the positive aspects of our culture. When we draw useful lessons from our cultural practices, we can be sure that our situation would change for the better,” the recently appointed minister said.
Muhammed also remarked that by CBAAC involving children in the debate over traditional oath-taking, the government was also engaging them in its resolve to finding solutions to some of the society’s nagging problems.
“By involving children to explore this theme, we are engaging them, provoking their thoughts and educating them about practices that are dying in our society. In a way, we are encouraging their participation in discussing issues of national importance,” Muhammed noted.
On his part, Director-General of CBAAC, Prof. Tunde Babawale, said the issue of traditional oath-taking for public officers had resurfaced in the country’s polity in the face emerging culture of impunity and recklessness that had set in against the backdrop of the seeming ‘delayed retribution’ of the present choices of oath-taking by public officers.
“Today, many people no longer respect and keep commitments and allegiances, not only in leadership positions, but also in all aspects of life. There is nothing wrong with these present methods; the problem is the lack of respect for oaths and accountability by many in leadership positions.
“The choice of objects of modern faiths for oath-taking by most people is driven by their delayed retribution compared with those taken with objects of traditional religions whose consequences are believed to be immediately,” said Babawale.
The CBAAC director who explained that the choice of theme for the Children’s Day celebrations is aimed at recalling the decisive roles that traditional oath-taking played in customary law arbitration and resolution, stressed that it was also intended to educate children and general public and by implication encourage the practice of looking into the country’s rich cultural values and heritage for solutions to contemporary challenges.
“Our focus on oath-taking for this year’s Children’s Day is aimed at celebrating the children and educating the general public to look inward into our rich cultural values to fashion solutions to contemporary challenges instead of the usual practice of looking across our shores,” said Babawale.
The Children’s Day celebrations by CBAAC drew over 20 secondary and primary schools in Lagos and its environs to an event that featured drama presentations, cultural dances, traditional fashion parades and the competitive debate.
Notable dignitaries who graced the occasion included chairperson,Dr (Mrs) Doyin Abiola, wife of the late Bashorun M.K.O Abiola, and Nigeria’s Olympic silver medalist Mrs. Falilat Ogunkoya.
Source: http://www.champion.com.ng
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