ENUGU/Nigeria: The Director of Center for Black Africans and Arts and Culture (CBAAC), Dr. Ferdinand Anikwe has described culture as the centre of conflict resolution.
He stated this in an interview, and said our cultural programmes and institutions can help to bring about peace, conflict resolution and better understanding among Nigerians. He said the issue of hate speech which is becoming rampant on social media can be resolved by our cultural understanding of each other and as such culture should be given its due importance.
“One way we can solve problems is knowing the language of the person that is angry. For instance, the hate speech about Biafra, Yoruba people being angry, etc. if we know the person, the best thing to do is to give that person a proverb in his language that he will understand perfectly, with that automatically, you become brothers”
He called for our policy makers to consult with scholars from all the areas and take a stand of the cultural programmes. He also said the policies made should not appear discriminatory but must cultural unity. He also stressed that culture holds the key to the peace of this country and that through wonderful cultural policies, we will able to resolve some of the problems plaguing the country overnight including restructuring.
He called on creative companies to contribute to the development of the states in the country.
“Creative economy has not been given its proper place in Nigeria…. what we contribute is unquantifiable”
“There are several ways of employment” citing that 200 countries will assemble in Enugu which will create not less than 10000 jobs.
“200 countries will assemble in Enugu next year October, it is called ENUGU AWARDS… it is expected that not less than 10000 jobs will be created”.
