By Okhide Em’ya David
The Federal Government and other key stakeholders in decision making process in Nigeria have been asked to urgently ensure adequate and better budgetary allocations for funding of Zonal Intervention Projects (ZIP)
ZIP is a well thought out development strategy designed to foster equitable distribution of Projects nationwide in the constituencies of lawmakers by various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.
The call was made by leaders of thought, former National Assembly members and politicians at a two day Conference on “Culture, Zonal Intervention Projects and National Development” recently organized by the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO)” in Benin City, Edo state.
The Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer, National Institute for Cultural Orientation, Ado Mohammed Yahuza, while welcoming guests and participants to the conference, explained that research has shown that Societies who have embraced culture have made remarkable progress and advancement in all indices of development.
Yaguza said on the contrary the neglect and non recognition of culture and refusal to make it cornerstone of sustainable development has put many nations in dire need.
He observed that through ZIPs , MDAs are able to execute several Projects and programs in furtherance of their statutory objectives which would have been impossible due to funding challenges from regular budget.
He added that their institute for instance has made significant impact in promoting culture consciousness and creativity amongst secondary school Students nationwide.
Yahuza said NICO has also, through the women and youth empowerment programs funded by ZIP sensitized them to appreciate and take advantage of the enormous potentials of the cultural industries for employment generation.
A former member house of Representatives, Rt Hon. Friday Itula, in consideration of the role Culture plays in national development, said NICO should collaborate with other Government Agencies, especially the Federal Ministry and state Ministries of Education to develop curricular that ensures indigenous languages are part of the medium of instructions in educational institutions at least up to secondary school level.
Itula said: “the policy will make youths and succeeding generations appreciate and sustain the nations cultural Heritage adding that it is more important to do so, as Western Civilization is fast endangering our languages and other cultural practices which may go into extinction”
Itula remarked that Zonal Intervention Projects have contributed in no small measure in bringing about fast development of infrastructure to the nooks and crannies of the society.
He recalled that in his eight years at the House of Representatives, he, through Zonal Intervention Funds attracted so many projects to his constituency.
According to him, ZIP has assisted a great deal to calm frayed nerves, agitations and unnecessary youth restiveness in many parts of Nigeria.
On his part, another former member of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Patrick Ikhariale, commended NICO for living up to its mandate through its diverse orientation, public enlightenment, training programs, including the present conference.
Ikhariale says as a former National Assembly member, he had the rare privilege of appreciating the importance of legislative and budgetary support to institutions such as NICO as they promote the right policy direction to foster cultural rebirth and reconstruction of Nigeria.
He said while it is gratifying to claim that investment in tangible social infrastructure is desirable, massive investment in Nigeria’s cherished cultural values, ethics, norms and heritage in a cultural diverse state like Edo is “sin qua non” or tantamount to the general development of the Society.
He thereafter urged that in the conception, planning and implementation of Zonal Intervention Projects, there is need to prioritize the felt needs of the People through deliberate citizen engagement, as it concerns the different geopolitical Zones.
The ex-lawmaker noted undoubtedly that it will ensure equitable distribution of allocated budgets and programs, post project management and utilization and project sustainability are achieved.
Ikhariale said it was noteworthy that the present federal government under the leadership of President Mohammadu Buhari has given priority to cultural orientation through incessant call for cultural reawakening and mandate given to Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, implemented through NICO programs.
He said the choice of Edo State for the conference was apt as the Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki had during inauguration for second tenure in office, emphasized his government’s commitment to “promote Arts and Culture to preserve the past, document the present, envision the future and use our Arts and culture as a springboard for Tourism.”
Others who spoke including the Father of the day, Chief Ekundayo Idehen, and Chairman, Edo state chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Sir Rowland Osakue all harped on the need to strengthen positive cultural practices amongst Nigerians, especially the youths first, to eradicate undue cultural imperialism and cultivate a sense of avid Patriotism.
The conference later metamorphosed into a proper lecture hall, with Professor Barclays Ayakoroma taking the first topic, “understanding culture as the bedrock of national development.”
Other topics treated for the day were “addressing infrastructure deficit through Zonal intervention Projects” and Zonal intervention Funds as a strategic tool for Women and Youth Empowerment.”
Titles for lectures at the second part of the conference were: Making Education Accessible Through Zonal Intervention Projects, Delivering The Dividends of Democracy; The imperative of Zonal Intervention Projects, and Reviving Our Cherished Cultural Values Through Zonal Intervention Funds.
Artists from the Edo State Ministry of Arts and Culture added color to the conference through presentation of cultural dances and short plays depicting nuisance of ethnicity, tribal bigotry to nation building.
