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THE ROLE OF CULTURE IN THE ROLE OF CULTURE IN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENTNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

BYBY

PROFESSOR OLUFEMI OBAFEMI PROFESSOR OLUFEMI OBAFEMI FNLFNL

AndAnd

TANKO AHMEDTANKO AHMED fwc fwc

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LEAD PAPER AT THE LEAD PAPER AT THE 4TH NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE SCHOOL OF 4TH NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE SCHOOL OF GENERAL STUDIES, KOGI STATE POLYTECHNIC, LOKOJA, GENERAL STUDIES, KOGI STATE POLYTECHNIC, LOKOJA,

KOGI STATE ON TUESDAY, 29 JUNE 2010KOGI STATE ON TUESDAY, 29 JUNE 2010

PRESENTED BYPRESENTED BY

TANKO AHMEDTANKO AHMED, , fwcfwc

Senior Fellow, NIPSS, KuruSenior Fellow, NIPSS, Kuru

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INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTIONCulture is a Culture is a special giftspecial gift to human beings, by the to human beings, by the Almighty Creator, which no other creature enjoys.Almighty Creator, which no other creature enjoys.

Culture is the ultimate unwritten constitution Culture is the ultimate unwritten constitution through which the human society came into being through which the human society came into being as a system of as a system of social contractsocial contract..

Culture is fundamental to human existence and Culture is fundamental to human existence and human civilization, embodying in its dynamism, human civilization, embodying in its dynamism, the totality of people’s response to the challenges the totality of people’s response to the challenges of life and living in any given environment of life and living in any given environment (Obafemi: 2005) (Obafemi: 2005)

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March of CivilizationMarch of CivilizationIn the idea of ‘In the idea of ‘march of civilizationmarch of civilization’ human ’ human societies are lumped together in the societies are lumped together in the heritage of developmental stages heritage of developmental stages culminating into the modern universal or culminating into the modern universal or global culture.global culture.

From simple workable tools to more From simple workable tools to more advanced implements of earlier advanced implements of earlier developments to the subsequent leaps into developments to the subsequent leaps into the 21st Century achievements in all human the 21st Century achievements in all human affairs, societies or nations continue to affairs, societies or nations continue to march for local, regional and global power march for local, regional and global power and opportunities.and opportunities.

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AIMAIMConceptual discourse; Conceptual discourse; Operational definitions of culture Operational definitions of culture

and development;and development;Role of Culture in National Role of Culture in National

Development;Development;Observations;Observations;The Way Forward; andThe Way Forward; andConclusion.Conclusion.

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WHAT IS CULTURE?WHAT IS CULTURE?The complex whole of ideas and things produced by The complex whole of ideas and things produced by men in their historical experience;men in their historical experience;

Distinctive groups of traits characterizing particular Distinctive groups of traits characterizing particular group or society;group or society;

A pattern of thinking and doing that runs through A pattern of thinking and doing that runs through the activities of a people and distinguishes them the activities of a people and distinguishes them from all other peoples;from all other peoples;

A distinctive human mode of adapting to the A distinctive human mode of adapting to the environment-moulding nature to conform to man’s environment-moulding nature to conform to man’s desires and goals; and,desires and goals; and,

Learned ways of behaving and adapting, as Learned ways of behaving and adapting, as contrasted to inherited behaviour patterns or contrasted to inherited behaviour patterns or instincts.instincts.

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CULTURE (Contd…)CULTURE (Contd…)In another usage, culture refers to a In another usage, culture refers to a societysociety or or groupgroup in which many or all people live and think in familiar in which many or all people live and think in familiar and mutually intelligible ways.and mutually intelligible ways.

Likewise, any group of people who share a common Likewise, any group of people who share a common culture with common rules of behaviour and a basic culture with common rules of behaviour and a basic form of social organization constitutes a society, form of social organization constitutes a society, making the terms making the terms cultureculture and and societysociety somewhat somewhat interchangeable.interchangeable.

It is, therefore, more appropriate to use ‘It is, therefore, more appropriate to use ‘cultural cultural groupgroup’ for human beings, instead of the derogatory ’ for human beings, instead of the derogatory word of ‘word of ‘tribetribe’ often employed.’ often employed.

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Characteristics of CultureCharacteristics of CultureCulture is symbolicCulture is symbolic, that is, it is based on , that is, it is based on symbolssymbols or or abstract ways of referring to and understanding ideas, abstract ways of referring to and understanding ideas, objects, feelings, or behaviours and the ability to objects, feelings, or behaviours and the ability to communicate with symbols using language;communicate with symbols using language;

Culture is sharedCulture is shared, that is, people in the same society , that is, people in the same society share common behaviours and ways of thinking through share common behaviours and ways of thinking through culture;culture;

Culture is learnedCulture is learned, i.e., while people biologically inherit , i.e., while people biologically inherit many physical traits and behavioural instincts, culture is many physical traits and behavioural instincts, culture is socially inherited. A person must learn culture from other socially inherited. A person must learn culture from other people in a society; andpeople in a society; and

Culture is adaptiveCulture is adaptive, i.e., people use culture to flexibly , i.e., people use culture to flexibly and quickly adjust to changes in the world around them.and quickly adjust to changes in the world around them.

Characteristics of Culture (Contd...)Characteristics of Culture (Contd...)

Culture is transmitted through the Culture is transmitted through the process process of socializationof socialization in which ‘ in which ‘social skillssocial skills’ are ’ are injected by ‘injected by ‘social institutionssocial institutions’ like the ’ like the family, education, work, media and family, education, work, media and ‘‘significant otherssignificant others’ collectively called ’ collectively called ‘‘agents of socializationagents of socialization’.’.

Increasing complexity and sophistication of Increasing complexity and sophistication of human society(s) through ‘human society(s) through ‘developmentdevelopment’ ’ has widened the roles of other ‘agents’, like has widened the roles of other ‘agents’, like the media, and shrink those of others, like the media, and shrink those of others, like the family.the family.

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Culture and TechnologyCulture and Technology Rapid development in technology, in the last several Rapid development in technology, in the last several

decades, have changed the nature of culture, and decades, have changed the nature of culture, and modes of cultural exchange, as people around the modes of cultural exchange, as people around the world transact and transmit voluminous information to world transact and transmit voluminous information to each other almost instantaneously through the use of each other almost instantaneously through the use of computers and satellite communications.computers and satellite communications.

• Human societies can now exert or absorb influence, as Human societies can now exert or absorb influence, as cultures cross national boundaries, through exchanges cultures cross national boundaries, through exchanges in essential products, films and music, and other in essential products, films and music, and other mass-produced and distributed items that shape the mass-produced and distributed items that shape the way we live and behave towards one another in form way we live and behave towards one another in form of a of a global cultureglobal culture..

Culture and Technology (Contd…)Culture and Technology (Contd…)• Local culture and social structures are now shaped Local culture and social structures are now shaped

by large and powerful interests in ways that earlier by large and powerful interests in ways that earlier anthropologists and sociologists could not have anthropologists and sociologists could not have imagined when they thought of societies and their imagined when they thought of societies and their cultures as relatively independent systems.cultures as relatively independent systems.

• Many nations, like our own, are Many nations, like our own, are multi-culturalmulti-cultural

societies composed of other smaller societies composed of other smaller subculturessubcultures in a in a ‘‘salad bowlsalad bowl’ or ‘’ or ‘melting potmelting pot’ mixture existing with ’ mixture existing with other societies in a other societies in a globalglobal context. context.

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Culture and GlobalizationCulture and Globalization

The post-Cold War era and the ICT-driven The post-Cold War era and the ICT-driven globalization processglobalization process propelled by the propelled by the Information and Communication Technology Information and Communication Technology (ICT) revolution, created the notion of a (ICT) revolution, created the notion of a ‘‘global villageglobal village’ translated into a ‘’ translated into a ‘global global culture’culture’. .

There exists some kind of a There exists some kind of a universal way of universal way of lifelife or or way of doing thingsway of doing things involving all involving all nations, societies, groups and individuals at nations, societies, groups and individuals at relative levels of participation. relative levels of participation.

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Impact of GlobalizationImpact of GlobalizationInformation revolution;Information revolution;

World economic culture;World economic culture;

Technological competition with competing Technological competition with competing value systems and questions regarding value systems and questions regarding civilizational differences.civilizational differences.

These are accompanied by erosion of the These are accompanied by erosion of the state power by sub-state level entities or state power by sub-state level entities or emerging supra-national powers like emerging supra-national powers like international agreements, multi-lateral international agreements, multi-lateral obligations.obligations.

Impact of Globalization (contd…)Impact of Globalization (contd…)Dissolution of national borders and internal Dissolution of national borders and internal boundaries through regionalism and strengthening boundaries through regionalism and strengthening of local governments; andof local governments; and

Social relations are transformed, as world Social relations are transformed, as world competition at the level of individuals and competition at the level of individuals and international markets for human capital resot to international markets for human capital resot to brain-drain;brain-drain;

Differences in modes of expression of influences over Differences in modes of expression of influences over decision-making processes with new partners in civil decision-making processes with new partners in civil societies and NGOs.societies and NGOs.

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Impact of Globalization (Contd…)Impact of Globalization (Contd…)

From simple and stable family groups From simple and stable family groups to the present complex and rapidly to the present complex and rapidly changing world, culture has taken the changing world, culture has taken the form of a form of a global entity;global entity; with social with social interactions as complicated as interactions as complicated as Lorenz’s theory of butterfly effect.Lorenz’s theory of butterfly effect.

That a flapping of a butterfly’s wing That a flapping of a butterfly’s wing in Tokyo, Japan could cause a storm in Tokyo, Japan could cause a storm across the Pacific Ocean in New York, across the Pacific Ocean in New York, USA. USA.

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WHAT IS NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT?WHAT IS NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT?

Development Development is the act of advancement, is the act of advancement, growth, change or evolution from one stage growth, change or evolution from one stage to another marked by progress.to another marked by progress.

In the context of this paper, In the context of this paper, development development applies to applies to improvementimprovement in condition often in condition often found in the notion of found in the notion of National developmentNational development loosely referring to the process of projected loosely referring to the process of projected improvement of the wellbeing of the improvement of the wellbeing of the citizens of a nation.citizens of a nation.

WHAT IS NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT? (Contd…)WHAT IS NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT? (Contd…)

A A nationnation or or nation-statenation-state is a modern is a modern ‘‘societal unitsocietal unit’ into which most the people of ’ into which most the people of the world are shared and identified, as the world are shared and identified, as reflection of the latest development stage reflection of the latest development stage of humans grouping in the ‘of humans grouping in the ‘march of march of civilizationcivilization’.’.

Nigeria is an independent nation-state with Nigeria is an independent nation-state with cultural diversitycultural diversity wherein many groups are wherein many groups are endowed by clearly distinct characteristics, endowed by clearly distinct characteristics, but sharing common identity of nationhood but sharing common identity of nationhood

(being Nigerians)(being Nigerians)..

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Development TheoriesDevelopment TheoriesDiscussions on understanding Discussions on understanding national developmentnational development concept often concept often resort to the use of resort to the use of development development theorytheory (Wikipedia: 2010) (Wikipedia: 2010)

Development theory is a set of Development theory is a set of theories and models, contributed by theories and models, contributed by various disciplines, on the best ways various disciplines, on the best ways to bring about desirable change in to bring about desirable change in society.society.

Development Theories (Contd...)Development Theories (Contd...)

Modernization TheoryModernization Theory states that development can be states that development can be achieved through same process undergone by currently achieved through same process undergone by currently developed nations;developed nations;

Dependency Theory Dependency Theory views development as relational based views development as relational based on internal conditions differing between economies of on internal conditions differing between economies of developed and under-developed countries;developed and under-developed countries;

World System TheoryWorld System Theory holds that industrialization can not holds that industrialization can not always be equated with development; andalways be equated with development; and

State TheoryState Theory proposes that the economy is inter-twined proposes that the economy is inter-twined with politics, therefore, take-off period in development is with politics, therefore, take-off period in development is unique in each country. unique in each country.

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Development Theories (Contd...)Development Theories (Contd...)

Theory of Uneven and Combined development Theory of Uneven and Combined development describing the dynamics of human history to explain describing the dynamics of human history to explain that some countries developed ahead of others via that some countries developed ahead of others via capitalist economic modes; and capitalist economic modes; and

Development Economies TheoriesDevelopment Economies Theories are concerned are concerned with how economies developed overtime through with how economies developed overtime through comparative advantagecomparative advantage in gains in specialization. in gains in specialization.

Models include: Models include: • the the Rostovian Take-Off modelRostovian Take-Off model of basic stages; of basic stages;• the the Harrod-Domar modelHarrod-Domar model is based on savings and is based on savings and

productive levels of capitals; andproductive levels of capitals; and• the the dual sector modeldual sector model is based on labour transition. is based on labour transition.

2020

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Objectives of DevelopmentObjectives of DevelopmentTo increase the availability and widen the To increase the availability and widen the distribution of basic necessities of life distribution of basic necessities of life (food, shelter and security); (food, shelter and security);

To raise levels of living standard associated To raise levels of living standard associated with cultural and humanistic (core) values; with cultural and humanistic (core) values; andand

To raise the range of economic and social To raise the range of economic and social choice available to individual(s) and choice available to individual(s) and nation(s), to free them from servitude and nation(s), to free them from servitude and dependence. dependence.

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New ApproachesNew ApproachesBasicBasic C Concepts of Developmentoncepts of Development include: include:

Community; Community;

Culture;Culture;

Gender; and, Gender; and,

Human Rights Human Rights Which aggregate and resort to Which aggregate and resort to culture,culture, as as both platform and instrument for both platform and instrument for development. development.

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ROLE OF CULTURE IN ROLE OF CULTURE IN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENTNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT““Tradition and knowledge constitute Tradition and knowledge constitute the main pillars of development and the main pillars of development and sustenance of communities since time sustenance of communities since time immemorial. No society can progress in immemorial. No society can progress in the absence of the two.  They make an the absence of the two.  They make an individual to become a responsible and individual to become a responsible and patriotic citizen...“ patriotic citizen...“

- Kaabully - Kaabully Nimaga Nimaga

ROLE OF CULTURE IN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (Contd...)ROLE OF CULTURE IN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (Contd...)

Culture is the key to success in Culture is the key to success in national development; that our national development; that our cultural heritage, technological cultural heritage, technological achievements and the attainment of achievements and the attainment of skills in various spheres of human skills in various spheres of human endeavour provide the historical endeavour provide the historical bases for anchoring the aspirations bases for anchoring the aspirations and motivation to national and motivation to national advancement and progress. advancement and progress.

- Gonyok (1999)- Gonyok (1999)

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ROLE OF CULTURE IN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (Contd...)ROLE OF CULTURE IN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (Contd...)

The central role of culture in the The central role of culture in the development process led many countries to development process led many countries to design and introduce ‘cultural policies’ as design and introduce ‘cultural policies’ as action plans on how culture should be action plans on how culture should be managed and constructed for the benefit of managed and constructed for the benefit of their citizens. These policies are also their citizens. These policies are also expanded through literal pacts between expanded through literal pacts between nations and further encapsulated in nations and further encapsulated in conventions of regional bodies and the conventions of regional bodies and the United Nations through assigned United Nations through assigned institutions. institutions. - - Adedokun and Oamen Adedokun and Oamen (2010)(2010)

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ROLE OF CULTURE IN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (Contd...)ROLE OF CULTURE IN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (Contd...)

CultureCulture is a is a platform, as well as, an instrument platform, as well as, an instrument of national of national development;development;

CultureCulture initiates, nurtures and sustains developmentinitiates, nurtures and sustains development, at , at the same time, development also generates and evolves the same time, development also generates and evolves culture in reciprocity;culture in reciprocity;

CultureCulture reflects, translates and points the direction reflects, translates and points the direction for for national development;national development;

CultureCulture is is the fulcrum for all other tools the fulcrum for all other tools (like development (like development plans, visions, policies and other action plans) for national plans, visions, policies and other action plans) for national development; anddevelopment; and

CultureCulture creates opportunities creates opportunities for us to find ways to for us to find ways to harness our human and natural resources to take our harness our human and natural resources to take our rightful place in the march of civilization.rightful place in the march of civilization.

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THE WAY FORWARDTHE WAY FORWARD

This paper is inclined to treat the This paper is inclined to treat the issue of issue of the way forward the way forward through through an analysis of the definition, an analysis of the definition, objectives and implementation objectives and implementation strategy of our cultural policy.strategy of our cultural policy.

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Cultural PolicyCultural Policy

Cultural policyCultural policy as that area of as that area of public policymaking concerned public policymaking concerned with activities related to culture with activities related to culture as instrument of development.as instrument of development.

- Kevin - Kevin (2006) (2006)

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Cultural Policy of Nigeria Cultural Policy of Nigeria (CPN) 1988(CPN) 1988

Defines culture as the totality of Defines culture as the totality of the way of life evolved by a the way of life evolved by a people in their attempts to meet people in their attempts to meet the challenge of living in their the challenge of living in their environment, which gives order environment, which gives order and meaning to their social, and meaning to their social, political, economic and religious political, economic and religious norms and modes of norms and modes of organization.organization.

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Objectives of the CPNObjectives of the CPNTo mobilise and motivate the people by To mobilise and motivate the people by disseminating and propagating ideas which promote disseminating and propagating ideas which promote national pride, solidarity and consciousness;national pride, solidarity and consciousness;

Evolve from our plurality, a national culture, the Evolve from our plurality, a national culture, the stamp of which will be reflected in African and World stamp of which will be reflected in African and World affairs;affairs;

Promote an educational system that motivates and Promote an educational system that motivates and stimulates creativity and draws largely on our stimulates creativity and draws largely on our tradition and values, namely: tradition and values, namely:

a. Respect for humanity and human dignity; a. Respect for humanity and human dignity;

b. Respect for legitimate authority; b. Respect for legitimate authority;

c. Respect for the dignity of labour; and c. Respect for the dignity of labour; and

d. Respect for positive Nigerian moral society. d. Respect for positive Nigerian moral society.

Objectives of the CPN (Contd…)Objectives of the CPN (Contd…)the promotion of creativity in the fields of arts, science and the promotion of creativity in the fields of arts, science and technology, ensure the continuity of traditional skills and sports technology, ensure the continuity of traditional skills and sports and their progressive updating to serve modern development and their progressive updating to serve modern development needs as our contribution to world growth of cultures and ideas;needs as our contribution to world growth of cultures and ideas;

the establishment of a the establishment of a code of behaviour code of behaviour compatible with our compatible with our tradition of humanism and disciplined moral society;tradition of humanism and disciplined moral society;

sustain environmental and social conditions which enhance the sustain environmental and social conditions which enhance the quality of life, produce responsible citizenship and an ordered quality of life, produce responsible citizenship and an ordered society;society;

enhance the efficient management of national resources through enhance the efficient management of national resources through the transformation of the indigenous technology, design-the transformation of the indigenous technology, design-resources and skills; and,resources and skills; and,

enhance national self-reliance and self-sufficiency, and reflect enhance national self-reliance and self-sufficiency, and reflect through our cultural heritage and national aspiration in the through our cultural heritage and national aspiration in the process of industrialization (or national development).process of industrialization (or national development).

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Cultural Agencies or ParastatalsCultural Agencies or Parastatals

National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM);National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM);

National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC);National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC);

Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC);Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC);

National Gallery of Arts (NGA);National Gallery of Arts (NGA);

National Institute of Cultural Orientation;National Institute of Cultural Orientation;

Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC);Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC);

National Troupe and National Theatre of Nigeria (NTNTN); National Troupe and National Theatre of Nigeria (NTNTN);

National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHT);National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHT);

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Review of the CPNReview of the CPNCultural policy as the instrument for Cultural policy as the instrument for utilizing culture for socio-economic utilizing culture for socio-economic transformation. transformation. - Obafemi (2009)- Obafemi (2009)

Culture as the Culture as the fountain springfountain spring of all policies of all policies and strategies of national development, its and strategies of national development, its implementation strategy based on the implementation strategy based on the preservation, promotion and presentation preservation, promotion and presentation of culture through the establishment of of culture through the establishment of administrative structures and provision of administrative structures and provision of funds, leave much to be desired in the way funds, leave much to be desired in the way of promulgating statutory backing by means of promulgating statutory backing by means of Laws or Acts of the National Assembly for of Laws or Acts of the National Assembly for its objectives. its objectives. - CPN (1988)- CPN (1988)

Review of the CPN (Contd…)Review of the CPN (Contd…)

Lip-service intendmentLip-service intendment of of government, in the existence, proper government, in the existence, proper functioning and survival of culture as functioning and survival of culture as a viable corner-stone of national a viable corner-stone of national development. development.

The arts are hardly prominent in the The arts are hardly prominent in the political agenda of Nigeria and Africa, political agenda of Nigeria and Africa, which is in clear contrast to what which is in clear contrast to what obtains in other countries with obtains in other countries with regards to social and economic regards to social and economic development.development.

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Review of the CPN (Contd…)Review of the CPN (Contd…)

The CPN’s definition of culture requires urgent The CPN’s definition of culture requires urgent revision to reflect the reality of present dispensation revision to reflect the reality of present dispensation of of global cultureglobal culture and the need to harmonize the and the need to harmonize the multi-cultural diversitymulti-cultural diversity of Nigeria. of Nigeria.

Africa as a whole is, for better or for worse, part of Africa as a whole is, for better or for worse, part of the global world that is inextricably inter-connected the global world that is inextricably inter-connected as a result of new means of communication, rapid as a result of new means of communication, rapid movements of people, new technologies and other movements of people, new technologies and other items that make the entire world a items that make the entire world a global villageglobal village. .

- Ojaide (2010) - Ojaide (2010)

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CULTURAL REMEDIES CULTURAL REMEDIES FOR FOR

NATIONAL DEVELOPMENTNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

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Global Cultural AnarchyGlobal Cultural AnarchyThere is already great fear of an impending There is already great fear of an impending global global cultural anarchycultural anarchy among weaker societies and smaller among weaker societies and smaller groups facing domination, cultural erosion and groups facing domination, cultural erosion and possible extinction under overwhelming influence of possible extinction under overwhelming influence of stronger societies and groups.stronger societies and groups.

Anthropologists are now interested in how dominant Anthropologists are now interested in how dominant societies can shape the culture of less powerful societies can shape the culture of less powerful societies, a process some researchers call societies, a process some researchers call cultural cultural hegemony.hegemony. - Bodley (2009) - Bodley (2009)

Zamanin Annabi Shaho, kowa ya yagi nashiZamanin Annabi Shaho, kowa ya yagi nashi

(In the era of the hawk, it is free for all)(In the era of the hawk, it is free for all)

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Universal EthicsUniversal Ethics

Within the chaos of Within the chaos of globalizationglobalization runs a common runs a common thread that weaves across and sustains the thread that weaves across and sustains the global global cultureculture for the entire humanity – called ‘Universal for the entire humanity – called ‘Universal Ethics’ based on the principles that:Ethics’ based on the principles that:

All beneficial acts are good; All beneficial acts are good;

All harmful acts are evil; and All harmful acts are evil; and

All other acts are neutral. All other acts are neutral.

– – Wikipedia (2007) Wikipedia (2007)

Appealing to humanity, and useful as formidable Appealing to humanity, and useful as formidable currency, for self-determination, struggle for currency, for self-determination, struggle for equality and claim to liberty and freedom.equality and claim to liberty and freedom.

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Re-BrandingRe-BrandingWithin the realm of the CPN, Within the realm of the CPN, cultural remedies cultural remedies to to national development, like the current national development, like the current re-branding re-branding campaign conducted by the Information Ministry, campaign conducted by the Information Ministry, can be a veritable tool for can be a veritable tool for attitude change attitude change and and progress.progress.

National image re-branding National image re-branding has always been part of has always been part of the culture of every society, guiding people’s the culture of every society, guiding people’s behaviour towards the positive side of life. behaviour towards the positive side of life.

- Monyeh (2010) - Monyeh (2010)

By selecting the correct path, we can strategize our By selecting the correct path, we can strategize our way to achieve whatever goals we set for ourselves, way to achieve whatever goals we set for ourselves, our communities, our nation and humanity at large.our communities, our nation and humanity at large.

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Sense of Patriotism and Civic EducationSense of Patriotism and Civic Education

The The sense of patriotismsense of patriotism in the citizenry can in the citizenry can be aroused in the joint act of be aroused in the joint act of national national building,building, if government endeavours to if government endeavours to truthfully educate its citizens on her truthfully educate its citizens on her expectations and civic responsibilities. expectations and civic responsibilities. - Akinde (2002) - Akinde (2002)

Civic educationCivic education at all levels, from the family at all levels, from the family to education, media, work and national to education, media, work and national campaigns, should be employed to sanitize campaigns, should be employed to sanitize and propel Nigeria.and propel Nigeria.

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Traditional InstitutionsTraditional Institutions

Constitutional roleConstitutional role for our teeming and vibrant for our teeming and vibrant Traditional Rulers,Traditional Rulers, considered as custodians of considered as custodians of culture, may be the culture, may be the magic wand magic wand for using our for using our traditional basestraditional bases to recover and re-align with our to recover and re-align with our lost lost historical linkshistorical links. .

Culture Ministry may become for traditional rulers Culture Ministry may become for traditional rulers and institutions, what the Defence Ministry is to the and institutions, what the Defence Ministry is to the Military; in the quest for proper control and Military; in the quest for proper control and regulation of regulation of cultural construction, cultural construction, to harness our to harness our multi-cultural groups multi-cultural groups in favour of national in favour of national development. development.

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Cross-Cultural CompetenceCross-Cultural Competence

Inter- or Inter- or cross-cultural competence cross-cultural competence as a as a process in which people of various process in which people of various backgrounds can capture and understand, backgrounds can capture and understand, in multicultural interaction, the specific in multicultural interaction, the specific concept in perception, thinking, feeling and concept in perception, thinking, feeling and acting, free from prejudice. acting, free from prejudice. - Selmeski (2007) - Selmeski (2007)

This should be employed, as an ideal This should be employed, as an ideal national aspiration, in our national aspiration, in our multi-cultural multi-cultural realitiesrealities..

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A ChallengeA Challenge

This Conference covering all aspects of our national This Conference covering all aspects of our national life, this is an opportunity for a thorough review of life, this is an opportunity for a thorough review of the existing Cultural Policy of Nigeria. the existing Cultural Policy of Nigeria.

Results should be compiled and forwarded to the Results should be compiled and forwarded to the National Institute National Institute (NIPSS), for preparation of (NIPSS), for preparation of policy policy paperpaper, for consideration by the highest offices of the , for consideration by the highest offices of the Land. Land.

Without prejudice to the review carried out under Without prejudice to the review carried out under the Culture Ministry, and which awaits being made the Culture Ministry, and which awaits being made into a into a BillBill by the National Assembly. by the National Assembly.

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CONCLUSIONCONCLUSIONThis Lead Paper attempts to present culture asThis Lead Paper attempts to present culture as

- the main hub for national development;- the main hub for national development;

- reviewed the prime, but dangerously - reviewed the prime, but dangerously neglected, instrument of national neglected, instrument of national development, the Cultural Policy of Nigeria; development, the Cultural Policy of Nigeria;

- discussed the way forward; and- discussed the way forward; and

- offered some modest suggestions on how - offered some modest suggestions on how to to overcome identified obstacles. overcome identified obstacles.

CONCLUSION (Contd...)CONCLUSION (Contd...)

As we go into the detailed proceedings of this As we go into the detailed proceedings of this important Conference, this discourse on culture and important Conference, this discourse on culture and development would generatedevelopment would generate bold questions bold questions to to which we must which we must find practical answersfind practical answers that can help that can help us to understand what it means to be human.us to understand what it means to be human.

It also requires us to device ways to meet It also requires us to device ways to meet current and future needs and challenges, so as to current and future needs and challenges, so as to plan and have a progressive future, for ourselves plan and have a progressive future, for ourselves and everyone around us. and everyone around us.

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THANK YOU!THANK YOU!

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