11
THE ROLE OF CULTURE INTHE ROLE OF CULTURE IN
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENTNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
BYBY
PROFESSOR OLUFEMI OBAFEMIPROFESSOR OLUFEMI OBAFEMI FNLFNL
AndAnd
TANKO AHMEDTANKO AHMED fwcfwc

22
LEAD PAPER AT THELEAD PAPER AT THE 4TH NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE SCHOOL OF4TH 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

33
INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION
Culture is aCulture is a special giftspecial gift to human beings, by theto human beings, by the
Almighty Creator, which no other creature enjoys.Almighty Creator, which no other creature enjoys.
Culture is the ultimate unwritten constitutionCulture is the ultimate unwritten constitution
through which the human society came into beingthrough which the human society came into being
as a system ofas a system of social contractsocial contract..
Culture is fundamental to human existence andCulture 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 challengesthe totality of people’s response to the challenges
of life and living in any given environmentof life and living in any given environment
(Obafemi: 2005)(Obafemi: 2005)

44
March of CivilizationMarch of Civilization
In the idea of ‘In the idea of ‘march of civilizationmarch of civilization’ human’ human
societies are lumped together in thesocieties are lumped together in the
heritage of developmental stagesheritage of developmental stages
culminating into the modern universal orculminating into the modern universal or
global culture.global culture.
From simple workable tools to moreFrom simple workable tools to more
advanced implements of earlieradvanced implements of earlier
developments to the subsequent leaps intodevelopments to the subsequent leaps into
the 21st Century achievements in all humanthe 21st Century achievements in all human
affairs, societies or nations continue toaffairs, societies or nations continue to
march for local, regional and global powermarch for local, regional and global power
and opportunities.and opportunities.

55
AIMAIM
Conceptual discourse;Conceptual discourse;
Operational definitions of cultureOperational definitions of culture
and development;and development;
Role of Culture in NationalRole of Culture in National
Development;Development;
Observations;Observations;
The Way Forward; andThe Way Forward; and
Conclusion.Conclusion.

66
WHAT IS CULTURE?WHAT IS CULTURE?
The complex whole of ideas and things produced byThe complex whole of ideas and things produced by
men in their historical experience;men in their historical experience;
Distinctive groups of traits characterizing particularDistinctive groups of traits characterizing particular
group or society;group or society;
A pattern of thinking and doing that runs throughA pattern of thinking and doing that runs through
the activities of a people and distinguishes themthe activities of a people and distinguishes them
from all other peoples;from all other peoples;
A distinctive human mode of adapting to theA distinctive human mode of adapting to the
environment-moulding nature to conform to man’senvironment-moulding nature to conform to man’s
desires and goals; and,desires and goals; and,
Learned ways of behaving and adapting, asLearned ways of behaving and adapting, as
contrasted to inherited behaviour patterns orcontrasted to inherited behaviour patterns or
instincts.instincts.

77
CULTURE (Contd…)CULTURE (Contd…)
In another usage, culture refers to aIn another usage, culture refers to a societysociety oror groupgroup
in which many or all people live and think in familiarin 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 commonLikewise, any group of people who share a common
culture with common rules of behaviour and a basicculture with common rules of behaviour and a basic
form of social organization constitutes a society,form of social organization constitutes a society,
making the termsmaking the terms cultureculture andand societysociety somewhatsomewhat
interchangeable.interchangeable.
It is, therefore, more appropriate to use ‘It is, therefore, more appropriate to use ‘culturalcultural
groupgroup’ for human beings, instead of the derogatory’ for human beings, instead of the derogatory
word of ‘word of ‘tribetribe’ often employed.’ often employed.

88
Characteristics of CultureCharacteristics of Culture
Culture is symbolicCulture is symbolic, that is, it is based on, that is, it is based on symbolssymbols oror
abstract ways of referring to and understanding ideas,abstract ways of referring to and understanding ideas,
objects, feelings, or behaviours and the ability toobjects, 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 throughshare 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 ismany physical traits and behavioural instincts, culture is
socially inherited. A person must learn culture from othersocially 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 theCulture is transmitted through the processprocess
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 andfamily, education, work, media and
‘‘significant otherssignificant others’ collectively called ‘’ collectively called ‘agentsagents
of socializationof socialization’.’.
Increasing complexity and sophistication ofIncreasing complexity and sophistication of
human society(s) through ‘human society(s) through ‘developmentdevelopment’’
has widened the roles of other ‘agents’, likehas widened the roles of other ‘agents’, like
the media, and shrink those of others, likethe media, and shrink those of others, like
the family.the family.
99

1010
Culture and TechnologyCulture and Technology
 Rapid development in technology, in the last severalRapid development in technology, in the last several
decades, have changed the nature of culture, anddecades, have changed the nature of culture, and
modes of cultural exchange, as people around themodes of cultural exchange, as people around the
world transact and transmit voluminous information toworld transact and transmit voluminous information to
each other almost instantaneously through the use ofeach other almost instantaneously through the use of
computers and satellite communications.computers and satellite communications.
• Human societies can now exert or absorb influence, asHuman societies can now exert or absorb influence, as
cultures cross national boundaries, through exchangescultures cross national boundaries, through exchanges
in essential products, films and music, and other mass-in essential products, films and music, and other mass-
produced and distributed items that shape the way weproduced and distributed items that shape the way we
live and behave towards one another in form of alive and behave towards one another in form of a
global cultureglobal culture..

Culture and Technology (Contd…)Culture and Technology (Contd…)
• Local culture and social structures are now shapedLocal culture and social structures are now shaped
by large and powerful interests in ways that earlierby large and powerful interests in ways that earlier
anthropologists and sociologists could not haveanthropologists and sociologists could not have
imagined when they thought of societies and theirimagined when they thought of societies and their
cultures as relatively independent systems.cultures as relatively independent systems.
• Many nations, like our own, areMany nations, like our own, are multi-culturalmulti-cultural
societies composed of other smallersocieties composed of other smaller subculturessubcultures in ain a
‘‘salad bowlsalad bowl’ or ‘’ or ‘melting potmelting pot’ mixture existing with’ mixture existing with
other societies in aother societies in a globalglobal context.context.
1111

1212
Culture and GlobalizationCulture and Globalization
The post-Cold War era and the ICT-drivenThe post-Cold War era and the ICT-driven
globalization processglobalization process propelled by thepropelled by the
Information and Communication TechnologyInformation 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 ‘globalglobal
culture’culture’..
There exists some kind of aThere exists some kind of a universal way ofuniversal way of
lifelife oror way of doing thingsway of doing things involving allinvolving all
nations, societies, groups and individuals atnations, societies, groups and individuals at
relative levels of participation.relative levels of participation.

1313
Impact of GlobalizationImpact of Globalization
Information revolution;Information revolution;
World economic culture;World economic culture;
Technological competition with competingTechnological competition with competing
value systems and questions regardingvalue systems and questions regarding
civilizational differences.civilizational differences.
These are accompanied by erosion of theThese are accompanied by erosion of the
state power by sub-state level entities orstate power by sub-state level entities or
emerging supra-national powers likeemerging supra-national powers like
international agreements, multi-lateralinternational agreements, multi-lateral
obligations.obligations.

Impact of Globalization (contd…)Impact of Globalization (contd…)
Dissolution of national borders and internalDissolution of national borders and internal
boundaries through regionalism and strengthening ofboundaries through regionalism and strengthening of
local governments; andlocal governments; and
Social relations are transformed, as worldSocial relations are transformed, as world
competition at the level of individuals andcompetition at the level of individuals and
international markets for human capital resot tointernational markets for human capital resot to
brain-drain;brain-drain;
Differences in modes of expression of influences overDifferences in modes of expression of influences over
decision-making processes with new partners in civildecision-making processes with new partners in civil
societies and NGOs.societies and NGOs.
1414

Impact of Globalization (Contd…)Impact of Globalization (Contd…)
From simple and stable family groupsFrom simple and stable family groups
to the present complex and rapidlyto the present complex and rapidly
changing world, culture has taken thechanging world, culture has taken the
form of aform of a global entity;global entity; with socialwith social
interactions as complicated asinteractions as complicated as
Lorenz’s theory of butterfly effect.Lorenz’s theory of butterfly effect.
That a flapping of a butterfly’s wing inThat a flapping of a butterfly’s wing in
Tokyo, Japan could cause a stormTokyo, Japan could cause a storm
across the Pacific Ocean in New York,across the Pacific Ocean in New York,
USA.USA.
1515

1616
WHAT IS NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT?WHAT IS NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT?
DevelopmentDevelopment is the act of advancement,is the act of advancement,
growth, change or evolution from one stagegrowth, 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, developmentdevelopment
applies toapplies to improvementimprovement in condition oftenin condition often
found in the notion offound in the notion of National developmentNational development
loosely referring to the process of projectedloosely referring to the process of projected
improvement of the wellbeing of the citizensimprovement of the wellbeing of the citizens
of a nation.of a nation.

WHAT IS NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT? (Contd…)WHAT IS NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT? (Contd…)
AA nationnation oror nation-statenation-state is a modernis a modern
‘‘societal unitsocietal unit’ into which most the people of’ into which most the people of
the world are shared and identified, asthe world are shared and identified, as
reflection of the latest development stage ofreflection of the latest development stage of
humans grouping in the ‘humans grouping in the ‘march ofmarch of
civilizationcivilization’.’.
Nigeria is an independent nation-state withNigeria is an independent nation-state with
cultural diversitycultural diversity wherein many groups arewherein many groups are
endowed by clearly distinct characteristics,endowed by clearly distinct characteristics,
but sharing common identity of nationhoodbut sharing common identity of nationhood
(being Nigerians)(being Nigerians)..
1717

1818
Development TheoriesDevelopment Theories
Discussions on understandingDiscussions on understanding
national developmentnational development concept oftenconcept often
resort to the use ofresort to the use of developmentdevelopment
theorytheory (Wikipedia: 2010)(Wikipedia: 2010)
Development theory is a set ofDevelopment theory is a set of
theories and models, contributed bytheories and models, contributed by
various disciplines, on the best waysvarious disciplines, on the best ways
to bring about desirable change into bring about desirable change in
society.society.

Development Theories (Contd...)Development Theories (Contd...)
Modernization TheoryModernization Theory states that development can bestates that development can be
achieved through same process undergone by currentlyachieved through same process undergone by currently
developed nations;developed nations;
Dependency TheoryDependency Theory views development as relational basedviews development as relational based
on internal conditions differing between economies ofon 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 notholds that industrialization can not
always be equated with development; andalways be equated with development; and
State TheoryState Theory proposes that the economy is inter-twinedproposes that the economy is inter-twined
with politics, therefore, take-off period in development iswith politics, therefore, take-off period in development is
unique in each country.unique in each country.
1919

Development Theories (Contd...)Development Theories (Contd...)
Theory of Uneven and Combined developmentTheory of Uneven and Combined development
describing the dynamics of human history to explaindescribing the dynamics of human history to explain
that some countries developed ahead of others viathat some countries developed ahead of others via
capitalist economic modes; andcapitalist economic modes; and
Development Economies TheoriesDevelopment Economies Theories are concerned withare concerned with
how economies developed overtime throughhow economies developed overtime through
comparative advantagecomparative advantage in gains in specialization.in gains in specialization.
Models include:Models include:
• thethe Rostovian Take-Off modelRostovian Take-Off model of basic stages;of basic stages;
• thethe Harrod-Domar modelHarrod-Domar model is based on savings andis based on savings and
productive levels of capitals; andproductive levels of capitals; and
• thethe dual sector modeldual sector model is based on labour transition.is based on labour transition.
2020

2121
Objectives of DevelopmentObjectives of Development
To increase the availability and widen theTo increase the availability and widen the
distribution of basic necessities of life (food,distribution of basic necessities of life (food,
shelter and security);shelter and security);
To raise levels of living standard associatedTo 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 socialTo raise the range of economic and social
choice available to individual(s) andchoice available to individual(s) and
nation(s), to free them from servitude andnation(s), to free them from servitude and
dependence.dependence.

2222
New ApproachesNew Approaches
BasicBasic CConcepts of Developmentoncepts of Development include:include:
Community;Community;
Culture;Culture;
Gender; and,Gender; and,
Human RightsHuman Rights
Which aggregate and resort toWhich aggregate and resort to culture,culture, asas
both platform and instrument forboth platform and instrument for
development.development.

2323
ROLE OF CULTURE INROLE OF CULTURE IN
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENTNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
““Tradition and knowledge constituteTradition and knowledge constitute
the main pillars of development andthe main pillars of development and
sustenance of communities since timesustenance of communities since time
immemorial. No society can progressimmemorial. No society can progress
in the absence of the two. They makein the absence of the two. They make
an individual to become a responsiblean individual to become a responsible
and patriotic citizen...“and patriotic citizen...“
- Kaabully Nimaga- Kaabully Nimaga

ROLE OF CULTURE IN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (Contd...)ROLE OF CULTURE IN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (Contd...)
Culture is the key to success inCulture is the key to success in
national development; that ournational development; that our
cultural heritage, technologicalcultural heritage, technological
achievements and the attainment ofachievements and the attainment of
skills in various spheres of humanskills in various spheres of human
endeavour provide the historicalendeavour provide the historical
bases for anchoring the aspirationsbases for anchoring the aspirations
and motivation to nationaland motivation to national
advancement and progress.advancement and progress.
- Gonyok (1999)- Gonyok (1999)
2424

ROLE OF CULTURE IN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (Contd...)ROLE OF CULTURE IN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (Contd...)
The central role of culture in theThe central role of culture in the
development process led many countries todevelopment process led many countries to
design and introduce ‘cultural policies’ asdesign and introduce ‘cultural policies’ as
action plans on how culture should beaction plans on how culture should be
managed and constructed for the benefit ofmanaged and constructed for the benefit of
their citizens. These policies are alsotheir citizens. These policies are also
expanded through literal pacts betweenexpanded through literal pacts between
nations and further encapsulated innations and further encapsulated in
conventions of regional bodies and theconventions of regional bodies and the
United Nations through assignedUnited Nations through assigned
institutions.institutions. -- Adedokun and Oamen (2010)Adedokun and Oamen (2010)
2525

ROLE OF CULTURE IN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (Contd...)ROLE OF CULTURE IN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (Contd...)
CultureCulture is ais a platform, as well as, an instrumentplatform, as well as, an instrument of nationalof national
development;development;
CultureCulture initiates, nurtures and sustains developmentinitiates, nurtures and sustains development, at the, at the
same time, development also generates and evolvessame time, development also generates and evolves
culture in reciprocity;culture in reciprocity;
CultureCulture reflects, translates and points the directionreflects, translates and points the direction forfor
national development;national development;
CultureCulture isis the fulcrum for all other toolsthe fulcrum for all other tools (like development(like development
plans, visions, policies and other action plans) for nationalplans, visions, policies and other action plans) for national
development; anddevelopment; and
CultureCulture creates opportunitiescreates opportunities for us to find ways to harnessfor us to find ways to harness
our human and natural resources to take our rightful placeour human and natural resources to take our rightful place
in the march of civilization.in the march of civilization.
2626

2727
THE WAY FORWARDTHE WAY FORWARD
This paper is inclined to treat theThis paper is inclined to treat the
issue ofissue of the way forwardthe way forward throughthrough
an analysis of the definition,an analysis of the definition,
objectives and implementationobjectives and implementation
strategy of our cultural policy.strategy of our cultural policy.

2828
Cultural PolicyCultural Policy
Cultural policyCultural policy as that area ofas that area of
public policymaking concernedpublic policymaking concerned
with activities related to culturewith activities related to culture
as instrument of development.as instrument of development.
- Kevin (2006)- Kevin (2006)

2929
Cultural Policy of NigeriaCultural Policy of Nigeria
(CPN) 1988(CPN) 1988
Defines culture as the totality ofDefines culture as the totality of
the way of life evolved by athe way of life evolved by a
people in their attempts to meetpeople in their attempts to meet
the challenge of living in theirthe challenge of living in their
environment, which gives orderenvironment, which gives order
and meaning to their social,and meaning to their social,
political, economic and religiouspolitical, economic and religious
norms and modes ofnorms and modes of
organization.organization.

3030
Objectives of the CPNObjectives of the CPN
To mobilise and motivate the people byTo mobilise and motivate the people by
disseminating and propagating ideas which promotedisseminating and propagating ideas which promote
national pride, solidarity and consciousness;national pride, solidarity and consciousness;
Evolve from our plurality, a national culture, theEvolve from our plurality, a national culture, the
stamp of which will be reflected in African and Worldstamp of which will be reflected in African and World
affairs;affairs;
Promote an educational system that motivates andPromote an educational system that motivates and
stimulates creativity and draws largely on ourstimulates 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; andc. 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 andthe promotion of creativity in the fields of arts, science and
technology, ensure the continuity of traditional skills and sportstechnology, ensure the continuity of traditional skills and sports
and their progressive updating to serve modern developmentand 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 athe establishment of a code of behaviourcode of behaviour compatible with ourcompatible with our
tradition of humanism and disciplined moral society;tradition of humanism and disciplined moral society;
sustain environmental and social conditions which enhance thesustain environmental and social conditions which enhance the
quality of life, produce responsible citizenship and an orderedquality of life, produce responsible citizenship and an ordered
society;society;
enhance the efficient management of national resources throughenhance the efficient management of national resources through
the transformation of the indigenous technology, design-resourcesthe transformation of the indigenous technology, design-resources
and skills; and,and skills; and,
enhance national self-reliance and self-sufficiency, and reflectenhance national self-reliance and self-sufficiency, and reflect
through our cultural heritage and national aspiration in the processthrough our cultural heritage and national aspiration in the process
of industrialization (or national development).of industrialization (or national development).
3131

3232
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);

3333
Review of the CPNReview of the CPN
Cultural policy as the instrument for utilizingCultural policy as the instrument for utilizing
culture for socio-economic transformation.culture for socio-economic transformation.
- Obafemi (2009)- Obafemi (2009)
Culture as theCulture as the fountain springfountain spring of all policiesof all policies
and strategies of national development, itsand strategies of national development, its
implementation strategy based on theimplementation strategy based on the
preservation, promotion and presentation ofpreservation, promotion and presentation of
culture through the establishment ofculture through the establishment of
administrative structures and provision ofadministrative structures and provision of
funds, leave much to be desired in the wayfunds, leave much to be desired in the way
of promulgating statutory backing by meansof promulgating statutory backing by means
of Laws or Acts of the National Assembly forof 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 ofof
government, in the existence, propergovernment, in the existence, proper
functioning and survival of culture asfunctioning and survival of culture as
a viable corner-stone of nationala viable corner-stone of national
development.development.
The arts are hardly prominent in theThe arts are hardly prominent in the
political agenda of Nigeria and Africa,political agenda of Nigeria and Africa,
which is in clear contrast to whatwhich is in clear contrast to what
obtains in other countries withobtains in other countries with
regards to social and economicregards to social and economic
development.development.
3434

Review of the CPN (Contd…)Review of the CPN (Contd…)
The CPN’s definition of culture requires urgentThe CPN’s definition of culture requires urgent
revision to reflect the reality of present dispensationrevision to reflect the reality of present dispensation
ofof global cultureglobal culture and the need to harmonize theand 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 ofAfrica as a whole is, for better or for worse, part of
the global world that is inextricably inter-connectedthe global world that is inextricably inter-connected
as a result of new means of communication, rapidas a result of new means of communication, rapid
movements of people, new technologies and othermovements of people, new technologies and other
items that make the entire world aitems that make the entire world a global villageglobal village..
- Ojaide (2010)- Ojaide (2010)
3535

CULTURAL REMEDIESCULTURAL REMEDIES
FORFOR
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENTNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
3636

Global Cultural AnarchyGlobal Cultural Anarchy
There is already great fear of an impendingThere is already great fear of an impending globalglobal
cultural anarchycultural anarchy among weaker societies and smalleramong weaker societies and smaller
groups facing domination, cultural erosion andgroups facing domination, cultural erosion and
possible extinction under overwhelming influence ofpossible extinction under overwhelming influence of
stronger societies and groups.stronger societies and groups.
Anthropologists are now interested in how dominantAnthropologists are now interested in how dominant
societies can shape the culture of less powerfulsocieties can shape the culture of less powerful
societies, a process some researchers callsocieties, a process some researchers call culturalcultural
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)
3737

Universal EthicsUniversal Ethics
Within the chaos ofWithin the chaos of globalizationglobalization runs a commonruns a common
thread that weaves across and sustains thethread that weaves across and sustains the globalglobal
cultureculture for the entire humanity – called ‘Universalfor 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; andAll 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 formidableAppealing to humanity, and useful as formidable
currency, for self-determination, struggle for equalitycurrency, for self-determination, struggle for equality
and claim to liberty and freedom.and claim to liberty and freedom.
3838

Re-BrandingRe-Branding
Within the realm of the CPN,Within the realm of the CPN, cultural remediescultural remedies toto
national development, like the currentnational development, like the current re-brandingre-branding
campaign conducted by the Information Ministry, cancampaign conducted by the Information Ministry, can
be a veritable tool forbe a veritable tool for attitude changeattitude change and progress.and progress.
National image re-brandingNational image re-branding has always been part ofhas always been part of
the culture of every society, guiding people’sthe 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 ourBy 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.
3939

Sense of Patriotism and Civic EducationSense of Patriotism and Civic Education
TheThe sense of patriotismsense of patriotism in the citizenry canin the citizenry can
be aroused in the joint act ofbe aroused in the joint act of nationalnational
building,building, if government endeavours toif government endeavours to
truthfully educate its citizens on hertruthfully 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 familyat all levels, from the family
to education, media, work and nationalto education, media, work and national
campaigns, should be employed to sanitizecampaigns, should be employed to sanitize
and propel Nigeria.and propel Nigeria.
4040

Traditional InstitutionsTraditional Institutions
Constitutional roleConstitutional role for our teeming and vibrantfor our teeming and vibrant
Traditional Rulers,Traditional Rulers, considered as custodians ofconsidered as custodians of
culture, may be theculture, may be the magic wandmagic wand for using ourfor using our
traditional basestraditional bases to recover and re-align with our lostto recover and re-align with our lost
historical linkshistorical links..
Culture Ministry may become for traditional rulersCulture Ministry may become for traditional rulers
and institutions, what the Defence Ministry is to theand institutions, what the Defence Ministry is to the
Military; in the quest for proper control andMilitary; in the quest for proper control and
regulation ofregulation of cultural construction,cultural construction, to harness ourto harness our
multi-cultural groupsmulti-cultural groups in favour of nationalin favour of national
development.development.
4141

Cross-Cultural CompetenceCross-Cultural Competence
Inter- orInter- or cross-cultural competencecross-cultural competence as aas a
process in which people of variousprocess in which people of various
backgrounds can capture and understand, inbackgrounds can capture and understand, in
multicultural interaction, the specificmulticultural interaction, the specific
concept in perception, thinking, feeling andconcept in perception, thinking, feeling and
acting, free from prejudice.acting, free from prejudice. - Selmeski (2007)- Selmeski (2007)
This should be employed, as an idealThis should be employed, as an ideal
national aspiration, in ournational aspiration, in our multi-culturalmulti-cultural
realitiesrealities..
4242

A ChallengeA Challenge
This Conference covering all aspects of our nationalThis Conference covering all aspects of our national
life, this is an opportunity for a thorough review oflife, 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 theResults should be compiled and forwarded to the
National InstituteNational Institute (NIPSS), for preparation of(NIPSS), for preparation of policypolicy
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 theWithout prejudice to the review carried out under the
Culture Ministry, and which awaits being made into aCulture Ministry, and which awaits being made into a
BillBill by the National Assembly.by the National Assembly.
4343

4444
CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION
This 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 nationalneglected, 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 to- offered some modest suggestions on how to
overcome identified obstacles.overcome identified obstacles.

CONCLUSION (Contd...)CONCLUSION (Contd...)
As we go into the detailed proceedings of thisAs we go into the detailed proceedings of this
important Conference, this discourse on culture andimportant Conference, this discourse on culture and
development would generatedevelopment would generate bold questionsbold questions to whichto which
we mustwe must find practical answersfind practical answers that can help us tothat can help us to
understand what it means to be human.understand what it means to be human.
It also requires us to device ways to meetIt also requires us to device ways to meet
current and future needs and challenges, so as tocurrent and future needs and challenges, so as to
plan and have a progressive future, for ourselves andplan and have a progressive future, for ourselves and
everyone around us.everyone around us.
4545

4646
THANK YOU!THANK YOU!

4747
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