The National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) in Adamawa has called on culture stakeholders to fashion out ways to protect culture from the devastating effect of globalisation and crises.
Mrs Jane Anigala, NICO’s Director, North East Zonal Office, Adamawa , made the call to commemorate the 2021 International Culture Day in Yola.
Anigala said that the UN General Assembly declared May 21 as World Cultural Diversity Day for Dialogue and Development, following the adoption of universal declaration for cultural diversity by UNESCO in 2001.
She said that NICO North East Zonal Office, deemed it fit to mark the day with its counterparts the world over, in line with COVID-19 guidelines because of its importance.
“You will agree with me that COVID-19 dealt a blow on the different sectors of the economy and culture is not spared.
“Due to the lockdown and all the social restrictions culture professionals and artists have been thrown out of work.
“Theatres are shutdown, cultural tourism is no longer allowed; live musical performances, packs, festivals are not functional; fashion industries are locked up among others.
“We are using this occasion to call on culture stakeholders to rise up and fashion out ways to protect culture from the devastating effect of the global crisis,” she said.
Anigala said NICO had always been in the forefront in the celebration of world culture day in Nigeria to create awareness of the importance of culture.
According to her, Nigeria could achieve sustainable development goals by tapping into the creative economy.
