Eggon Union Leader Blames Western Cultures For High Crime Rate
BY AHMED TUKUR LAFIA – A Clergyman and National President of Eggon Cultural and Development Association (ECDA), Pastor Wilberforce Alaku, has attributed the high rate of criminalities in the country to the gross neglect of cultural values by citizens.
He particularly blamed western cultures currently dominating societal space for the spiraling kidnapping and banditry activities that now bedevil the country.
Pastor Alaku described as regrettable a situation where the society has long abandoned values and strong cultural practices, to promote activities that readily lead to youth restiveness within the polity.
Speaking at the maiden annual cultural festival of the Eggons in Galle Town, Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Pastor Alaku said borrowed cultures from the West has unfortunately contributed to systematic erosion of ethical values and norms that hitherto made the country a bastion of hopefulness; peace and unity among Nigerians
The ECDA President maintained that culture is the people’s identity and anyone that throws it away not only lacks respect for values but is certainly risking a great future.
According to him; “Borrowed cultures have destroyed our identities and damaged our values, resulting in the current high rate of criminality, kidnapping and other social vices”.
He said Nigeria urgently needs thorough reorientation for the youth populace to not only uphold cultural values, but also understand the value system of respect and self-realization, adding; “I am overwhelmed by this occasion and therefore urged our youths to embrace our cultures in defeating crime and social vices. This should be a yearly event so that our cultures are not totally eroded in the near future”
Pastor Alaku maintained said the country is experiencing its worst times in crime rates because of the “high neglect of our values of respect and brotherhood.”
“We are all suffering because we have neglected our cultural values of respect and brotherliness in our societies, our youths no longer to work or go to school but to make easy money.”
“Youths no longer respect the elders we pray every other ethnic nationality should revert back to their cultural values”, he said
Urging unity and peace among all tribes and ethnic nationalities in the country, Pastor Alaku said; “I want everybody to make peace with his neighbours in the country irrespective of tribe or religion we should redress our steps.
“The ears are not bigger than the head in African context. Once an elderly person speaks, he never makes mistakes. But today, our youths have taken to the White man’s culture that it is their right to do what they want”.
