Culture , Fundamental Pillar Of Human Society —Zappa Mixed S/S Principal, Ogbokor

By Magnus Emuji

Culture has been described as a fundamental pillar of human society that provides a sense of identity, belonging and shared purpose connecting individuals to a community.

The Principal of Zappa Mixed Secondary School, Asaba, Roseline Enejeta Ogbokor stated this on the occasion of the 10th Annual Cultural Fiesta of her school.

Ogbokor noted that culture contributes immensely in shaping values, behaviours and traditions and serves as a framework for understanding the world, stressing that culture also helps in fostering societal cohesion, creativity and intergenerational knowledge transfer.

She listed most of the cultural heritage in Nigeria to include dance , song , food , mode of dressing and language, adding that culture differs from one place to another and from one generation to another as regards Nigeria.

Ogbokor appealed for support for some basic needs in the school such as science laboratory equipment for Physics, Chemistry and Biology, examination hall for WAEC and NECO, additional classroom blocks to reduce congestions , more teachers in the core subject areas, school band, trophies and students and teachers desks among others.

The Principal, however, lauded Delta State Government for what it had provided so far, just as she appreciated the Asaba National Association based in USA led by the President, Hon. Kennedy Okafor for their prompt response in providing 100 3-seaters desks as well as Asaba “88” Club of Nigeria for the provision of Public Address System (PAS) for the school.

Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion, Pastor (Dr.) Henry Onah stated that the importance of bringing the awareness of culture in the society cannot be overemphasized.

Dr. Onah explained that due to the cosmopolitan nature of the society nowadays, culture was fast fading away and identified language as one of the aspects of culture that was fast fading away.

While commending the Principal of Zappa Mixed Secondary School, the teachers and students as well as the Parents Teachers Association for organizing the Cultural Day Celebration to enable the students be abreast with their cultural identity, Dr. Onah said that it was appalling that so many people cannot greet in their dialect because they cannot speak their language very well .

Recalling that Nigeria is made up of so many ethnic nationality and diversity, Dr. Onah stated that the Cultural Day Celebration of the school had in one way or the other created awareness that people should not allow their culture to go into extinction.

Earlier, the State Head of Service (HOS) , Dr. Mrs. Minimim Oseji , represented by her Special Assistant on Entertainment, Mrs. Clementina Chinwokwu emphasized the importance of sustaining cultural heritage for the younger generation.

The HOS implored individuals to prioritize the preservation of their culture at all times, saying that the students had showcased their culture very well and should be emulated by other schools.

For his part, the patron of Red House , Rev. Dr. Stephen Edremoda, whose House emerged overall winner of the cultural fiesta expressed gratitude to the students and the Red House master for what he described as outstanding performance and congratulated all members of Red House.

In attendance were the Principal of Osadenis Secondary School, Mrs. Patience Ngozi Aguonye, the Principal of Government Model Secondary School, Asaba, Dr. Mrs. Obiajulu C. Eboka and their counterparts in charge of Afadia Secondary School, Okwe Secondary School , Asagba Mixed Secondary School and Zappa Basic Secondary School among others .