Digivation 2024: NICO, NASARAWA, others call for Nigeria’s culture preservation, Social-media moderation
By Omolola Dede Adeyanju
The Executive Secretary/CEO, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Otunba Abiodun Ajiboye has called Nigerians to preserve the Nation’s cultural identity while leveraging digital technology
He made this call during the presentation of his keynote speech at the Digivation Future Summit/Awards 2024, themed: “Governance, Innovation, People and Future Economy” which was held in Lagos on Thursday.
Otunba Biodun’s speech titled: “Preserving Cultural Identity in the Digital Age: Navigating Globalization and Technology in Nigeria” expressed that the transformation of our value systems and languages in Nigeria has been significantly influenced by globalization, a process that began with British colonialism.
He stated, ‘Our legal system, for instance, is a reflection of this colonial legacy. The laws we abide by are rooted in British norms, not reflective of our indigenous cultures. We must ask ourselves: How did countries like China, India and even Japan, who were also colonized or conquered, manage to lead the technological revolution without losing their cultural identities?’ he said.
To counter this, the NICO boss highlighted that Nigerians must consciously revive their original cultural values, ensuring that they define their institutions and guide the future of content creation in Nigeria. Also, that Digital technology should be harnessed to enhance cultural development and preservation, promoting innovation that aligns with the country’s traditions and practices.
Otunba reiterated NICO’s mission in exploring the connections between culture and technology. ‘We are committed to developing technological content within the context of our diverse cultures, paving the way for socio-economic growth across sectors.’ he said.
He further noted that Embracing globalization and digital technology does not mean abandoning the Nigerian cultural values. ‘On the contrary, it means reworking our engagement with globalization and using technology to advance our cultural heritage,’ he added.
However, In his welcome address, the convener Digivation Summit and Awards 2024, Dr Bayero Agabi explained the essence of the summit. He enumerated that Sub-saharan Africa faces critical challenges for digital development, including underdeveloped digital infrastructure, lack of accessible and affordable connectivity, a stubborn digital gender gap, limited skills for digitally enabled industries and adequate regulatory and policy environment.
He mentioned that the Digivation Future Summit was organized to address the challenges and drive policies that will drive tomorrow. ‘The event is anchored on three major areas; Governance, Innovation and People. A platform to articulate issues about the millenials and future generations with a mind towards building a better tomorrow.
‘DigiVation Future Summit (DFS) is a platform that brings together African thought-leaders in academia, technology, media content creators ICT, MDAs, policy makers, and the political class, to discuss how the Niger delta region can benefit and engage the unfolding future,’ he stated.
Furthermore, Dr Agabi drew attention to what he called ‘social media influence on Africa and whether it should be moderated or regulated.’ He explained that we have all seen the impacts and effects of social media becoming a platform for Africans to demystify her dark continent narrative, empowering thousands through its economics, creating jobs for many and opening many to the world.
Despite its huge advantages, Dr Agabi pinpointed the hazards in closing our eyes to the ills of social media which has proven to be the best time-wasting platform, creating anti-social generation and negatively influencing Africa’s culture.
On this, he said, ‘I will state that its time for Nigeria to moderate her social media space. If this is not done, give it a short time and the social media space will regulate our lives. From our food, values, culture and governance, social media will regulate us if we don’t manage it now.’ he warned.
Dr Agabi stressed that the event also features Africa’s premier and most iconic Enterprise and digital award AFRICA DIGITAL and ENTERPRISE AWARD, which is for deserving individuals, organizations and initiatives driving Africa’s development both in the public and private sectors.
‘DigiVation Global Network, the parent organization, has organized events across Africa, the Middle East and also partnered major events in Europe and America. DIGIVATION also organizes Nigerian Women Digital Conference which is a program for women and girls.’ he disclosed.
Representing the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, H.E. Engr. Abdullahi Sule, the Director General, strategic communication to the Governor, Nasarawa state, Yakubu Lamai examined the moderation of contents on the internet, emphasizing that the platform thrives on what we feed it with about the realities of our lives.
“We are a country of over 200 million people, we need to understand the culture of our identity and history so we don’t exist in a vacuum. The subject matter we put out should resonate on how we want to be viewed across the globe.’
He submitted that the Nasarawa State Government is Nigeria’s new investment frontier. Having organized two editions of the Nasarawa State investment summits, Yakubu expressed that the state is now envisaging industrialization. Noting that one of the tools to grow an economy is security, he pointed to facts that investors will not invest in a state with insecurities.
Therefore, Yakubu Lamai emphasized that the state has enforced measures to ensure concrete security through the establishment of a police mobile training college, the command sector and airforce base taking care of the north Central. The state has been able to grow from the backyard to the forefront of the first three most competitive states in the entire country.’ he added.
While speaking to press men, Veteran Actor and Panelist at the summit, Mr Yemi Solade, submitted that the invasion of technology has made everyone a part of the media. He cited how social media can earn a person a job, Fame and skills overnight through content creations and the likes. Even in the movie industry, Mr Yemi examined how the days of manual marketing became eroded and movies are now being marketed personally through the aid of social media.
He expressed, ‘The future economy is here and only driven by the youths. The old generation has to open up to learn from the GenZs. Nigerians are no longer waiting for the government. We started Nollywood in 1918 without Government assistance and today it’s part of the highest employer of labor in the country. The youths of Nigeria should be applauded, though some are just mentally lazy.
He continued, ‘My fear is the erosion of culture as being engineered by the GenZs, most of them lack respect for elders, for constituted authorities, for royalties and even for clergies.’ Mr Solade stated. He blamed the attitude decadence of Youths on the family unit, especially for parents who do not have tangible time for parenting their wards.
Notwithstanding, Mr Solade appraised and encouraged youths who have used Social Media to become better persons and urged others who are not getting it right to learn from those who are getting it right.
The group MD, Xpress Payment Solutions Ltd, Dr. Markie Idowu elucidated that the fintech industry in Nigeria has been doing well in terms of innovations but needs to bring more people into the system.
‘Nigeria fintech is doing a lot more than many other countries. At least we had financial settlement a long time ago and instant transfers but some countries in Europe were just announcing recently that they are going to be doing instant transfers, so yes we are advancing. We also ensure to look at the target market and give them what they need.’ she stated.
Dr Markie further disclosed that Xpress has over 50,000 agents spread across the local governments in the country and they ensure to train their agents before giving them a POS for free.
She cited the main challenge in the fintech industry as the unavailability of a good network, saying that people are not being able to get services in some of the locations where they are looking to get a band.
Hence, Dr Markie advised, ‘We should however get our technology right and ensure that we improve on telecommunications generally. If we do that, we will be able to reach the masses, educating people to know what is available and building security.’ she added.
