Omas Royal Academy holds cultural day

For the pupils, parents and members of staff of Omas Royal Academy, Jalingo, the capital of Taraba State, celebrating Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage is not only necessary for the country’s growth and unity, but also of utmost priority.

Aside traditional attires, there were also songs and dances, rendered in different ethnic groups, including Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, Tiv, Jukun and Mumuye, among others.

Parents contributed to making the occasion memorable by displaying delicious assorted traditional foods and soups.

The school’s proprietress, Susan Obaro, said this necessitated the Cultural Day festivity, where everyone dressed gorgeously in various indigenous attires.

She said: “There is an urgent need to make mother tongues compulsory in schools. Such act would go a long way in reviving the nation’s fast eroding culture. We should stop relegating our language by speaking only English language to our children.”

Urging parents to go extra miles in teaching their children their languages, she said schools could not employ teachers to teach children from all tribes their cultures and languages, so it must start from home.

She explained that the school sees culture as a major tool to bring Nigerians together, irrespective of religious, tribal and political leanings.

“For instance, the Republic of India is famous for operating a multi-cultural system, yet the people live together in peace and harmony. It is so sad that the reverse is the case in Africa’s most populated nation. It is high time we reminded ourselves of the age-old maxim that there is strength in unity and stop unleashing violence on our mother land.”

She urged Nigerians to put aside their ethnic differences and work together for the country’s development.

Buttressing Obaro’s stance, some parents agreed it had become necessary for Nigerians to join forces with the school to inculcate societal norms and values in their children by equipping them with their native languages.

Elated by the cultural activities, some of the children said their level of cultural awareness had been strengthened by the event.

The Executive Director of the school, Dr. Micah Obaro, urged school managements to promote the nation’s cultural heritage by inculcating the right values in children.