The Director General, National Council for Arts and Culture, Otunba Segun Runsewe, has expressed his excitement at the return of History as a curriculum in Lagos schools and commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for the timely initiative.
In November, Lagos will host the 35th edition of the iconic National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST), a cultural fiesta deep in the history, traditions and cultures of Nigeria as a nation state.
Runsewe, who doubles as President, Africa Region of World Craft Council (WCC), disclosed that History of Nigeria back in schools study and teaching profile in Lagos, is a welcome strategic decision by Governor Sanwo-Olu, promising to organise a history of Nigeria session for Lagos students during NAFEST in November.
“Strategically, we have school children competition on Arts, crafts and culture, and definitely History will be part of the subjects we shall introduce to compliment this cheering milestone from the governor of Lagos State.
“We have established a foothold in the investment of cultural education and history in NAFEST in the past four years and each state where NAFEST took place, we target and give robust support to children theatre, and full compliment to reenactment of history of our past heroes who contributed to our political evolution and NAFEST in Lagos will witness a new direction in this aspect,” Otunba Segun Runsewe affirmed.
He called on other state governments to follow suit and help in making History of Nigeria a quick come back curriculum in primary and secondary schools in order to infuse love of nation and people’s culture and tradition among young children.
“W must take our children back from foreign cultural influences and help grow their faith and trust in Nigeria through the study of Nigerian History. It is long overdue and we at NCAC join Lagos governor to celebrate this auspicious engagement by donating History books and narratives on pre colonial Nigeria at NAFEST to all state participants,” Runsewe added.
Recall that earlier in the month, the Governor of Anambra State, Charles Soludo, announced the re-introduction of History into the state’s school curriculum.
