Amidst rising threats to peace and political stability within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Chairman, National Central Working Committee of the forthcoming ECOWAS Food and Cultural Festival in Uyo, Professor Stephen Olusola Aliu has stressed the urgent need for Member States to explore the African cultural heritage as a strong instrument for peace-building and regional integration in the sub-region.
Professor Aliu, who stated this during a chat with newsmen in Abuja on Monday, maintained that cultural festivals are veritable platforms to promote peace and unity, especially now that tension is brewing in some states within ECOWAS, resulting from take over of democratically elected governments like the case of the Republic of Niger.
The Professor of Entrepreneurial Studies, said the planned ECOWAS Food and Cultural Festival in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State would create a veritable platform to explore the diverse cuisines and socio-cultural offerings within ECOWAS as ingredients for regional reintegration, pointing out that food and cultural festivals are also economic drivers through which the quest for diversification of regional economies would be attained.
The National Central Working Committee chairman reiterated that the ECOWAS Food and Cultural Festival with the theme: “Celebrating African Cultural Heritage for Peace and Development”, would be a great opportunity to celebrate African cultural heritage as would provide space for cultural exchange among participants and to meet new people across member states as well as well as creating a chance to try local food and music.
“Festivals see to it that the culture of a particular set of people is promoted and showcased to the world. The people’s way of life and their beliefs are brought to the limelight during festivals. Festivals also enhance the preservation of culture, thereby fostering cultural integration.
“Cultural peacebuilding suggests that resources, such as the traditional way of thinking, patterns of behaviour and modes of communication that are historically unique to certain groups of people should be fully utilized to restore peace and order in post conflict states.
“Food festival attracts visitors to the host country or state which in turn affects the local economy, conserve culture as well as rejuvenate local traditions. Festivals provide potent platforms to guarantee peace if properly organized and promoted. They contribute to creating enabling peaceful atmosphere for all to dwell in.
“Festivals, being a subset of culture, are strong instruments of unity, especially in a region like ECOWAS with such rich cultural diversity. When you understand a people’s culture, you respect them more, thus reducing the areas of friction.
These festivals help you forget the worries and stress for some time, just as they help to cleanse the human mind and body. They also give participants a break from their regular work/study schedule, giving participants opportunities meeting and interacting with people from different religions. Making participants feel more connected with other people while allowing them to share their feelings and emotions.
They have the potential to boost the economy of the host community and increase the visibility of local products. They also draw in visitors from outside the area, boosting revenue for local hotels and restaurants and increasing tourism to your city or town.
“Such festivals also provide free marketing opportunities for local business as customers would use the period to post their experiences on social media and talk about them with their friends. This exposure is invaluable for the local businesses, “Professor Aliu explained.
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