The Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Lanre Issa-Onilu, has lamented the inculcation of foreign culture on Nigerian pupils through foreign films, particularly cartoons.
He expressed displeasure over dedication to cartoons and foreign films in some homes, saying that children are becoming foreigners in their land without paying attention to it.
Onilu stated this in Osogbo, Osun State, during an advocacy to the state office of NOA after a royal visit to Oba Abdur-Rasheed Olabomi, the Aragbiji of Iragbiji for a dialogue.
He said, “The children watch cartoons than any other film and they learn things that are taboo in Nigeria. By this, we are already raising foreigners in our homes.
“Some of us got civic education where we learn basic ethical issues where we were inculcated with leadership ideals. No more Boy Scouts and no more Girls Brigade.
“You create idleness in the lives of children. They spent several hours at home and in school. They watch cartoons. Cartoons teach them foreign values and drop Nigeria values. You are raising foreigners and you think you are raising Nigerians. As they grow up, the vocabulary, the mentality Is Western and you say they prefer nudity to covering their body.
“The lifestyle of America is what they use for their cartoons. Cartoons show a man and a woman marrying, a woman and a woman marrying. Your children are watching it and they think it is normal.”
Noting that the agency is working on how to incorporate a curriculum on the study of how to be a good Nigerian, saying “We must find positive roles for our children in the school.”
