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| Professor Izam |
Ikos Izere Festival: V. C supports advocacy for inclusion of
cultural studies in school Curriculum
By Joseph A. Adudu
January 01, 2020
A call has been
made by a University Don for a revisit of our cultural foundation, build on it
and ensure that a development that is sustainable and people centred is forged.
The call was made today by Professor Daniel Yohana Izam, the Vice Chancellor of
the Plateau State University, Bokkos, on the occasion of the Afizere cultural
Festival, known as Ikos Izere held at Izere arena, Gwafan Lamingo, Jos
North Local Government Area, Plateau State, North Central Nigeria.
Professor Izam
who spoke to African Drum said that
consequent upon the above, he was in total support of the advocacy for the
inclusion of cultural studies in schools curriculum. "I strongly
support the advocacy that cultural studies be embedded in our school
curriculum", he said. Izam noted that the primary focus should be on the
language, the costumes (dress patterns) and the foods amongst others. The
University Don further observed that a people without history and culture
cannot forge ahead stressing that the totality of humanity existence and
experience are embedded in their culture. “It has to do with the way you speak,
the way you dress and the way you relate to the environment. So, culture is all
encompassing. I believe that if we must make progress, we should revisit our
cultural foundation so that we can build on it and make sure that we forge a
development that is sustainable, a development that is people centred, a
development that is not imported from other cultures. I think the best way to
go is to go back to our culture and I believe that would help us", he
said.
Professor Izam
further stated that Ikos Izere Festival is a yearly festival when the Afizere
people come in their large number to appreciate God for His mercies and
faithfulness adding that one of the secrets for the success of the Festival
over the years had to do with the excellent cultural dexterity that God has
bestowed on the Izere people. “The
Afizere tribe is naturally a dancing tribe. It is the only tribe in the whole
of Black Africa (as research shows) that can dance while blowing the flute
simultaneously with such great aesthetic and dexterity. You can't find any
other group that does this", Izam said. He noted that there were many
dance groups in Izere nation with each group depicting one aspect of the
culture or the other adding that because of the variety and the interest this
has generated within the cultural fabric of the people, there has been high
expectation and the desire of the people to come and witness this rich cultural
heritage every year. “I believe this is the binding force that has kept
this festival alive over the years and I hope that it would continue to grow
from strength to strength", he said.
The Ikos Izere
Festival is organized annually by the National body of the Afizere
Cultural and Community Development Association ( ACCDA). The theme for the 2020
edition is; "Promoting Cultural Heritage as A Tool For Peaceful
coexistence & Tourism Development".
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