The Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye, has called for the restoration of old value system for Nigeria to regain its lost glory.
Oba Ogunoye said this while delivering a lecture on ‘Culture and Tradition of the Yoruba’ to the 2022 Batch ‘B’ (Stream II) corps members at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Ikare-Akoko, Ondo State, on Tuesday.
He implored Nigerians, especially the youth, to go back to the virtues which used to make the country the toast of the world.
”Nigerians are known for values, such as honesty, hard work, industry and resilience to overcome all challenges.
“But, the current trend in which the present generation has resorted to cutting corners or engaging in sharp practices has debased those values and the results are what is pronounced in every facet of our lives today.
“As you have been mobilised to serve the nation, you need to promote cultural awareness and pursue vigorously things that will take us back to the glorious era when honesty was the hallmark.
“In those days, if you purchase goods and agricultural products, you put a corresponding amount of money where you took those goods, but reverse is the case today.
“I want to admonish you as leaders that will take over the administration of this country in the foreseeable future to reverse this trend for the benefit of all,” he said.
The traditional ruler also said that all hands must be on deck to prevent the culture and tradition from going into extinction.
“It has become worrisome that the younger generation is not as aggressive as our fathers in preserving our legacy but rather prefers to move with civilization, thus relegating our culture and tradition to the background.
“I want to let you know that no culture is superior to another, but we need to preserve our cultural heritage so that the generations yet unborn will have something to identify with,” he said.
The royal father described the Yoruba as a distinct ethnic group in the country, with the people cherishing respect and greetings a lot.
“I want to advise you to accord them that respect and be humble. If you do so, I can assure you that you will enjoy your stay in their midst.
“We love visitors and strangers who will not deride our culture and those things we hold very dear and sacred,” he said.
Oba Ogunoye lauded NYSC management for the establishment of Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme and encouraged the prospective and serving corps to embrace the intervention.
The NYSC State Coordinator, Mrs Victoria Ani, eulogised the traditional ruler for the rare honour of agreeing and personally coming around to deliver the lecture, with support from from the Olowo-in-Council.
Ani informed the Olowo that the corps members had been well-behaved since they reported to camp six days ago. (NAN) (