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By Joan Odafe
The Nigerian Academy for Cultural Studies (NACUS), a Federal Government initiative aimed at promoting cultural education, is set to begin its academic session in September with four pilot campuses.
The pilot campuses are located in Lagos, Cross River, Ogbomosho and Abuja.
NACUS, established as a specialised monotechnic under the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), is designed to train citizens on dynamics in cultural studies, and instil a deeper appreciation for Nigerian cultural values.
Chief Biodun Ajiboye, Chief Executive Officer of NICO, said the academy is a response to the urgent need to counter cultural imperialism.
Citing examples of Japan, China and Korea, Ajiboye said these countries had demonstrated that national development is a function of cultural realisation.
“Part of the reasons why Africa is backward as a continent is purely as a result of cultural imperialism, which we need to stand and fight against,” he said.
He said the academy, approved by the National Board for Technical Education, would award graduates with a National Diploma in Cultural Administration Resource Management and Postgraduate Diploma in Cultural Administration.
He added that the certificates could be used for employment and career progression.
“The National Diplomas and Postgraduate Diploma programmes are open but not limited to cultural officers, theatre practitioners, workers in hospitality sector, filmmakers, and foreign students who are interested in Nigerian culture.
“These certificates qualify Nigerians all over the world to be cultural officers in the nation’s foreign embassies, which is indeed a necessity at this point in Nigeria’s development,” he said.
NAN reports that the academy is introducing courses such as Cultural Technology and Cultural Pharmacology.
The courses are aimed at contributing to the GDP of Nigeria, by developing a few things locally that will reduce pressure on foreign exchange in the country. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Folasade Adeniran