Embrace, Defend Your Culture, Visual Artist Encourages Chrisland Learners
Learners at Chrisland Schools have been encouraged to be proud of their culture and be ready to defend their heritage at any time.
A multi-award-winning visual artist, Mr. Clement Adesanya, who was a guest speaker at the Language and Arts Day organised by Chrisland High School Ikeja, stressed the need to reawaken the cultural consciousness of young people.
Adesanya, the Assistant Chief Technical Officer (Sculpture) at the Lagos State University Centre for Museums and African Heritage (LASUCEMAH), described culture as "who we are, what gives us our identity, and the tapestry of our identity."
He encouraged the learners to speak their indigenous languages and embrace their traditional meals. “Promoters of African culture posit that just as pizza and its origin are known around the world, Àkàrà can be recognized globally if we stop calling it ‘bean cake’. The world will know its origin when we call it Àkàrà. We must be proud of our meals. Our mother tongue is key to propagating our culture and maintaining our culture of respect," Adesanya stressed.
The Managing Director of Chrisland Schools Limited, Mrs. Ibironke Adeyemi had previously, during the Language and Arts Day for Primary Schools, urged parents to encourage their children to speak their local languages and learn to cook their native foods.
She emphasised the importance of learners being proud of their heritage. While appreciating parents and educators for their support, she noted, “This year, we decided to celebrate Africa and Nigeria in particular. We celebrate our unique cultures. There is unity in diversity. Nigeria will be great again,” she assured.
In another development, learners have been taught the nitty-gritty of business and entrepreneurship.
Chrisland School Opebi recently held its Entrepreneurship Day, turning the school grounds into a bustling market place. Young entrepreneurs were encouraged to express their entrepreneurial spirit by showcasing a variety of colorful goods, such as toys, clothes, books, snacks, and beads among others.
With excitement, the young entrepreneurs passionately displayed their products, adopting a variety of marketing strategies to get customers to their stalls.
A four-year-old student, Firesanmi Olaleye, excitedly waved homemade bead necklaces in the air, informing passersby about the unique patterns and low costs. His artistry, which he acquired from his mother and sister, paid dividends, as his beads sales exceeded N6,000.
Another fourth-year student, Oluwatenianu Alonge, stood confidently behind her table of clothes, each piece neatly folded and arranged by size and style. "Get a great deal on quality clothes! she called out. She sold about ten items, with patrons appreciating the value and her approach.
Alonge noted that her desire to help people look beautiful motivated her to sell clothes at reasonable costs, which are determined by the quality of the fabric. She also indicated a desire to become a doctor in the future, stating that she intends to sell shoes and other essentials while practicing medicine.
The school's deputy head teacher, Mrs. Mark Agatha Chikanelle, shared insights into the event's objectives, stating that the primary goal was to educate students about the world of entrepreneurship, innovation, and business.
According to her, the goal was met because the students took responsibility for their enterprises, devised strategies to market their items, and ensured they had minimum or no losses on that day.
Chikanelle further explained that prior to the event, the school had provided thorough preparatory sessions on what it entails to manage a business and how to select and run a strong business.
“We also made them register their businesses in the office, and as they did, we asked them what they wanted to sell and why. We gave them better options where we felt what they wanted to sell may not yield enough income.”
The event's impact on the pupils, according to her, was profound, as many learners began to appreciate the daily efforts of their working parents.
By Edumattas
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