Culture And Sustainable Development

As the 2010 annual Rivers State Carnival (CARNIRIV) scheduled for December draws near, there is the’ need for the state government and people of the state to bring into focus the economic potentialities of culture.

CARNIRIV should not only be seen as an event aimed at showcasing the rich and colourful heritage of the state, of which the highlights would be cultural exhibitions, musical concerts, and story telling. It should rather be viewed as a means of presenting the wealth and productive capacity of the state and the elements which unite the people in cultural expressions. It should serve as a platform for brainstorming on how we can use our traditional resources for our industrialization and improvement in the quality of the people. And it should provide a unique opportunity for government to identify and assemble the capacities, affinities, and characteristics of our various cultures including arts, artifacts, and beliefs that can promote sustainable development; a capacity for translating resources at the disposal of the state to address the issues of unemployment, poverty, and inequality.

The statement credited to Mr. Inimfon Etuk of Messagewise Ltd, the Consultant for the event, should not be an ordinary tale that signifies nothing. According to Mr. Etuk, the 2010 CARNIRIV which has as its theme Experience Rivers, is expected to reflect dynamic improvements in terms of scope of participation, variety of activities, quality of’ cultural content, competitiveness, and broadened business and merchandising opportunities

This means that the annual carnival is not an end by itself, but a means to an end. The end being the cultural mobilization of Rivers people for the promotion of their cultural image, their spiritual and material wellbeing, and the sustainable development of the entire state.

Culture is not just an expression of aesthetics, values, philosophies, moral, and customs but the totality of the way of life evolved by a people in their attempt to meet the challenge of living in their spiritual, physical, political, and socio- economic environment. Culture is dynamic. It is always in a state of flux, a state of becoming. This is why it is absurd to think that our culture would remain static especially in view of our colonial and post – colonial experience.

Therefore, as we savour the spectacle of cultural display by the 23 Local Government Areas of the state during the carnival, we should bear in mind that for any society to survive and achieve sustainable development, the basic needs of adaptation, goal attainment, integration or pattern maintenance must be satisfied.

Yes, we cannot separate ourselves from our past without, at the same time, occasioning tremendous damage to the social and psychological aspects of our society but the maintenance or extension of any element of our culture should be determined by its effectiveness to propel the state and its people to a level of life-sustenance, self-esteem, and freedom from servitude. These core values or indicators of sustainable development which relate to fundamental human needs represent the common goals sought by all individuals and nations across the world.

Rivers State is not only blessed with abundant natural resources, it is also blessed with numerous ethnic nationalities. In fact, it is said to be the most ethnically-plural state in the country with each ethnic group characterized by its own language and other self conscious cultural qualities.

In this regard, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism should, before, during, and after the event, identify and promote those cultural elements across the state that can bring about political, and socio-economic cohesion ,and values of loyalty towards central political institutions without prejudice against any political office holder based on his ethnic nationality.

The time has come for the government and people of Rivers state to see culture not just as a ceremonial social phenomenon for winning of laurels both within and outside the state but as a dynamic and collective enterprise that can drive sustainable development.