Breakdown of cultural values caused insecurity – Sambo

By AbdulRaheem Aodu
Vice President Namadi Sambo has blamed the insecurity in the country on the breakdown of and abandonment of the nation’s “cultural values of honesty, hard work, respect for elders, constituted authorities and sanctity of human life.”
Sambo said this yesterday at the National Conference on ‘Culture, Peace and National Security: The Role of Traditional Rulers in Nigeria’s Democracy’ organised by the National Institute for Cultural Orientation in collaboration with UNESCO.
He said: “Our current security challenges are clearly the resultant effects of the breakdown or abandonment of our cherished cultural values. There is urgent need for deliberate cultural re-engineering that placed high premium on cultural values with the traditional institution playing critical roles. We are working assiduously to ensure that Nigeria is safe for Nigerians and foreign investors.”
Sambo, who was represented by Kaduna state Deputy Governor, Nuhu Audu Bajoga, lampooned traditional rulers who are actively involved in politics, urging them to choose between their throne and politics as the 2015 general elections beckon.
“It becomes a matter of serious concern when some royal fathers, who are supposed to be non-partisan in party politics, become active players in the political arena,” he said.
Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, said the conference was aimed at “enhancing the perspectives of our traditional rulers on culture as instrument for sustaining peace, security and national development in Nigeria’s growing democracy.”
NICO Executive Secretary, Dr Barclays Ayakoroma, in his remarks, said the conference was organised to proffer solution to the insecurity ravaging the country.