Gov. Martin Elechi of Ebonyi has urged?the three tiers of government and the traditional institutions?to use culture to stabilise the country.
Elechi gave the advice?on Sunday during a fund raising ceremony?for the construction of a civic centre at Alike in Ikwo Local Government Area.
“Our tradition of ‘self-help’ by which most communities were developed in the 50s and 60s should not die. Provision of amenities, such as roads and civic centres, were?provided ?by the people,” the governor said.
He, however, warned?that culture and religion should not be allowed to be in conflict.
“They are the great weapons of discipline and orderliness and when they conflict, we can harmonise them.
“Although things are certainly better today than they were 50 or 60 years ago, we should ?not allow the slightest opportunity to slip off,” he said.
The governor said it was regrettable that most innovations meant to improve the?conditions of living of the poor were often destroyed by the rich.
He said?fund raising activities to support social projects were often frustrated by the negative tendencies of the affluent.??
“They often ask who helped us during our own time. Why should we now sweat to help others?
“But the truth is when God helps you?to emerge, you have a task. You can never thank God enough and the only way you can show appreciation to God is in what you do to uplift others,” he said.
Amb. Lawrence Nwuruku, the Chairman on the occasion, described civic centres as?important places in Igboland where important matters of culture and tradition were discussed.
“Civic centres in Igbo culture provide the forum where matters on traditions, community developments and culture are discussed and decided,'' he added.
Nwuruku,a former Minister of Culture and Tourism, called for?the blending of culture for tourism to earn foreign currency.
“It is unfortunate that most communities in the country have lost their cultural identities?due to overdependence on foreign culture.
“The custodians of our tradition and culture should crave the indulgence to uphold the culture of their people for posterity,” he said.
More than N100 million was raised at the launching with the highest single donation of N10 million came?from the Chief Launcher, Chief Ifeanyi Odii.
The News Agency of Nigeria?reports that the occasion attracted a cream of the Nigerian society and?members of the National Assembly. (NAN)