Idris Iwalewa Coker, Go Culture Convener Highlights Benefits of Culture to National Development
Youth and culture promoter, Idris Iwalewa Coker has emphasised that many benefits are inherent in indigenous African cultural practices, with relevant social, moral and health values.
Coker, who is the convener of Go Culture, a mega African multicultural group which promotes indigenous African cultures through colourful carnivals, cultural reorientation and advocacy, described explained that culture offers multiple benefits for the modern world and enhances development.
In an Exclusive Interview with THECONSCIENCEng, Coker noted that “The modern youths are losing touch with culture already and that’s why we are bringing culture back to the locality and highlighting its benefits to the youths, how it corrects social ills and impact society. These are done through various youthful engagements. We discover that we can aid the society through this.”
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Reacting on how to manage the occultic part of culture, Coker explained that, “As a student of the Institute of Culture and Orientation, we have been orientated about how to manage culture. Though the sacred part is still a part of our culture, people are not forced to go in to that. We can’t write that part off. It’s our own. However, I appeal to the youths to embrace our own, including our food, lifestyle, language and values and develop it to suit their taste.
“My parents are from Lagos deeply on both sides. I was Captain for many festivals in Lagos. And through the festivals, we bring people together. Through that I embrace the culture. That was where the idea started from In 2016. With the strong support of Lagos
Council and Ministry of Tourism Art and Culture. From then to 2020, we have done about 10 street theatres to educate on the benefits of culture.We have been engaged by many other cultural heritage agencies including UNESCO and we remain grateful to the Lagos government too.
Idris Iwalewa Coker, who doubles as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Carnivals and Cultural Pride Limited, promoters of ‘Go Culture Festival’ said his group will through various programs continue to engage, promote and support communities to participate in arts, and partake in preserving their cultural heritage.
He called on government, parents and all stakeholders to support the youths in curbing the menace of cultism and violence. He also urged Yoruba people to support traditional authorities and institutions including kings and chiefs.
Commenting on the Yoruba nation agitation, Idris Iwalewa Coker stated that as much as many people are not very happy with government, violence and insults will not help the cause but sensitisation, collaboration and unity across the ranks. “We must embrace dialogue, unity and respect to achieve our goals of taking Yoruba to an enviable height.”
Go Culture Festival is an annual entertainment and cultural festival which had the 6th edition, a cross-cultural event where Nigerian cultures, as well as others beyond the shores of the continent converged for a week-long blistering cultural fiesta in April 2021.
The festival was done in collaboration with relevant cultural agencies like; National Council for Art and Culture (NCAC), National Art Gallery (NGA) and National Institute For Cultural Orientations (NICO), Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) and Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC)
