Colonisation is the act of setting up a colony away from ones place of birth.
It also occurs when there is a large scale migration of anyone or group of people to a colonial area.
European nations colonized African from the early 19th until 20th century.
As expected,Nigeria has its fair share of colonisation,Nigeria was a British colony between 1901-1960 when she gained independence and later in 1963 when she attained a republican state.
Nigeria stood tall amongst the committee of nations. Blessed with large area of land,enormous natural resources,human resources,rich unique cultures and traditions.
Some of the unique cultures of Nigeria includes Languages of over a hundred ethnic groups and more,Mode of dressing,Music,Dance,Costumes,Fashion,Food,Greetings,Art and Craft.
With all these features,It is easy to identify a Nigerian anywhere in the world. Interestingly you can say categorically which sections of the country a person comes from by his or her mode of dressings.
Every section of the country has a unique way of greeting,especially elders. For instance a Yoruba boy is expected to lay down flat while the Igbo boy simply bow his head when greeting elders. Other ethnic groups also have their unique ways. The world was indeed waiting for Nigeria to take its rightful place amongst the committee of nations but it seems the wait is going to be forever.
For instance,If an economic important tree is planted and it blossoms but when it is time for it to produce fruits,it came in contact with hazardous chemicals,If it doesn’t die,The quality of the fruit it will produce will be reduced.
The advent of technology,interaction and social media has further worsen the situation.
The youths who are supposed to be the ambassadors of cultures are the most culprits.
An average Nigerian youth wears the best designer clothes,shoes,listen to foreign music,watch foreign movies,prefers foreign delicacies,probably can not speak his or her native languages,has little or no knowledge about his or her cultures.
It is becoming a crime for you to speak or do anything cultural or traditional without being termed “local” among your peers.
Parents often discourages their wards from speaking the native language. A lot of parents no longer go to their villages where cultural values can be imbibed by their wards.
Schools and Religious institutions are not left out of these cultural degradations. As schools teach students mostly in foreign languages and often discourages students from speaking their native languages as such native languages is often termed as vernacular.
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Peer pressure is another factor meditating against cultural values amongst the youth. They discriminate against those who are traditionally inclined.It must be emphasized that youths who are privileged to have travelled outside the shores of this country are the most culprit.
Whenever the discussion of the constant degradation of our cultural values arise,I hear people immediately attributing it to our large population but I bet to disagree because nations like India,China and co are more populated than Nigeria,Yet,They have kept their cultures and traditional institutions in spite of their western influence,technological advancement which is more than that of Nigeria.
As a people,We need to retrace our steps if we want to be one of leading countries by the year 2020 because the quality of the foundation will determine the quality of building to be erected on it.
All hands must be on deck to regain our values and lost cultural glory. Parents should take up the responsibility of teaching their children cultural values,traditional institutions should be strengthened,schools should includes culture into their curriculum. The government can in nert laws to promote culture or even declare a certain week in every month as cultural week,In order to create the consciousness in peoples mindset.
