…calls for cultural value reorientations
The Anambra State Government through the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Entertainment in partnership with Ashoka Africa, a Non-Governmental organisation has set in motion actions to ensure that young people are trained as changemakers who will be able to create better lifestyles through culture and education.
Our Correspondent reports that Ashoka envisions an “Everyone a Changemaker” world where every girl child, boy, woman, and man has the confidence, freedom and support to identify and design solutions for the common good, tackle challenges, and create a better future in both small and bold ways.
The event which took place on Friday, 25th January 2025 at the state Secretariat, Awka, showcased Ashoka in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Entertainment, key collaborators and co-leaders of the “Everyone a “changemaker movement” will be able to actualise a ground-breaking initiative that infuses cultural values into education to inspire a new generation of changemakers in Anambra.
In a release by Ashoka Africa, the Changemakers for Culture and Education (CACE) initiative is a transformative journey that is designed to inspire and activate education and culture stakeholders in Anambra state by leveraging on the rich cultural heritage, educational opportunities and change-making skills that will foster social transformation.
The initiative sets out to equip young people, students, teachers, and adults with lifelong change-making skills with the mindset of conscious empathy, new leadership roles, teamwork and practice.
In his address, Anambra state Commissioner for Culture, Tourism and Entertainments, Hon Don Onyenji said the state government is poised to make a culture revival which has been submerged by Western culture and has created a lot of troubles in recent times thus the need to encourage the Umunna philosophy, togetherness, and shared core values among others.
According to Onyenji, the new trend by young men to get rich quick syndrome, participating in Oke ite and rituals are not part of our culture and so there is a need to revive our core values and cultural practices. “This is what we are setting out to do, the Mr Solution Governor is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the right core values of Ndi Igbo are being practised and so we want to begin with our young children and some other ways to change the adults for better”.
He pointed out that the Governor did not ban religion but what the state government is doing is to stop the use of religion to exploit people and to encourage criminality. “You can see the escalation of human parts, what kind of religion? You are free to practice any religion so far it’s not backed up with criminality, we are Igbos respected with special core values and that is what we want to revive with Ashoka Africa”.
Coordinator, Southeast for Ashoka Africa, Mr Ozioma Anieto ( Ozi-baba) noted that Ashoka targeted not only the youths but everyone as a change maker. The idea is to activate that superpower among the youths to understand that they can do all things, all they need is just to speak, get people together and solve social problems and challenges.
“In Anambra, Ashoka is out to match these efforts and initiatives with culture. This will point out who we are, those core values that make us the Igbos where we will see the importance of hard work, united force (igwebuike) people coming together to solve a problem, when you look at something you have empathy to do more or lend a helping hand”.
Anieto however, pointed out that Ashoka is faced with the challenges of bringing together the youths who can adapt to the yearnings of being a changemaker. He called on the Ministry of Culture and Tourism to assist in coordinating these children in schools to be top beneficiaries of the program as they are the future we envisage.
Obidinnu Cynthia Ogechukwu, a Biology Teacher from Government Technical College-Umuchu, Aguata L.G.A who spoke on behalf of the teachers and students explained that society is evolving negatively and positively but the negative impact seems to be on the high margin. “This is the right time to inculcate in them the right values and discipline. These children are not interested in school anymore because of so many things especially becoming rich. The curriculum should be amended so that morals and value orientations are mandatory for them. The initiative from Asoka is a very welcome development and I encourage my fellow teachers to be steadfast in the discharge of duties.
Ms Ogechukwu however, thanked the mayor of Aguata Dr Chibueze Oforbuike for the golden opportunity to make some schools in Aguata a beneficiary of Ashoka Initiatives while assuring that she will replicate what is learnt to the students.
Expressing satisfaction as changemakers, Miss Favour Effiong and Victor Eyo, 2023 Ashoka Changemakers disclosed that they have taken bold steps despite their challenges as change agents. Both gave testimonies of how they have impacted their various communities with a plea for young people to see themselves as an instrument for positive change.
Meanwhile, students from different schools who participated in the event were divided into groups with brainstorming techniques as changemakers.
Schools present include; Government Technical College – Umuchu, St Peter’s Secondary School – Achina, Community Secondary School Isuofia, St Anthony Secondary School Ikenga, Community Secondary School Ikpologwu, Christ The Redeemer College – Amesi, Preserved Childhood Foundation School, Holy Child Isuofia, Uga Boys Secondary School, Girls High School Uga, and Urban Girls Secondary School Ekwulobia!, Among others.
