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Parents, teachers stress the role of culture in promoting national identity and unity
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Joe Ajayi
Parents and teachers in Abuja have identified culture as not just a tool for national identity but a driving force for national unity and stability.
The Chairperson, Parents Teachers Association (PTA), New Capital School, Dr, Rebecca Godwin-Isaac, said this at the schools cultural day celebration in Abuja on Friday.
Godwin-Isaac, represented by the Vice Chairman , Mr Amenah Ogheneruemu, described culture as a unifying factor that has continued to build bridges across different ethnic groups in the country.
“From the Hausa-Fulani to the Igbo, the Yoruba, the Edo, the Tiv, the Ijaw, the Kanuri, and many more, every culture in Nigeria adds something beautiful to our national identity.
“Like threads in one fabric, we are woven together by purpose. Our colors may differ, but together they form a masterpiece,” she said.
According to her, I am a living example of that unity. I come from Edo State and I am married to a wonderful man from Zuru in Kebbi State.
She explained that her children are the perfect blend of both cultures and a daily reminder of the power of love and respect with culture as a bridge.
Godwin-Isaac called on parents and teachers to remain firm in the face of economic challenges, saying that with unity and hope, victory is assured.
“As we celebrate today, we must also reflect. These are challenging times for many families.
“The economy is tough and life can be uncertain, but we must never lose hope. Nigerians are strongest when we stand together. Unity gives us the courage to overcome hardship.”
She also urged parents to always teach kindness and love to the children, which according to her is greater than tribe.
“To our dear parents, let us teach our children that kindness is greater than tribe and that love is the true language of unity.
“To our wonderful teachers, thank you for shaping these young minds with patience and dedication.
“And to our students, you are the heartbeat of Nigeria. Be proud of where you come from, but open your hearts to others.”
Godwin-Isaac admonished all to use the cultural day to reaffirm their commitment to national unity.
“As we dance, sing, and celebrate today, let us make a promise: to carry this spirit of togetherness beyond this event and into our daily lives.
“The Nigeria we dream of begins right here, in schools like New Capital, where every tribe, tongue, and tradition learns to live as one family.
“May our diversity continue to be our strength, and may our unity forever be our pride.”
Also Speaking, the Head teacher of the school, Ms Nneka Eze, emphasized the imperatives of using culture to inculcate discipline in the children.
Eze affirmed the capability of culture in not just driving unity but respect for elders and others.
“Just as those children are learning or rather showcasing their cultural heritage.
“Discipline, respect is part of culture, when you go out there, in the Western world, discipline is lost.
“But in Nigerian culture, once, we can hold our culture high, discipline becomes the order of the day.
Eze said that culture has the capacity to transform children or anyone into good ambassors of discipline and respect.
“We are bringing back culture into New Capital School Asokoro to make sure that we can hold our culture, be able to be disciplined children.
“When they leave Nigeria, people will say, where are they coming from, Nigeria? So Nigeria is this disciplined , respectful.”
Also Speaking, a pupil of the school, Jadidah Ishaku-Yusuf said that the togetherness of different cultures has brought immense joy to her.
“Today is cultural day and I feel happy to dance and be part of the dance.”
Another student of the school, Ndubuisi Umeh described the cultural day as unifying occasion .
“It is very diverse and shows different cultures that came together to form Nigeria.
“We should embrace our culture and we should not hide them from anyone.”
News
PSIN Posts Major Institutional Reforms, Improved Financial Discipline, Earns House Committee Praise
Cyril Ogar
The House of Representatives Committee on Public Service Matters has reviewed the 2024 budget performance of the Public Service Institute of Nigeria (PSIN) and commended the Institute’s leadership for initiating wide-ranging reforms aimed at strengthening governance, service delivery, and institutional discipline.
The commendation came during an oversight visit by members of the Committee to PSIN headquarters along the Kubwa Expressway, Abuja.
Speaking at the engagement, Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Engr. Sani Umar Bala, described the visit as significant, noting that it marked the Committee’s first official engagement with PSIN under the leadership of its new Administrator. He congratulated the Administrator on the appointment and expressed the Committee’s readiness to work closely with the Institute to promote accountability, innovation, and sustainable institutional growth.
Hon. Bala recalled that the Committee’s last oversight visit to PSIN took place in July of the previous year, during which key recommendations were made, particularly the need for the Institute to evolve innovative strategies to boost its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and the enactment of a substantive Establishment Act to strengthen its legal and institutional framework.
He stressed that all public funds, including IGR, must be expended strictly in accordance with constitutional provisions, legislative approvals, and national priorities, adding that oversight by the National Assembly is constructive and aimed at supporting institutions to perform better.
“This visit provides an opportunity for us to receive a clear account of actions taken since our last engagement, the reforms introduced, challenges encountered, and the strategic direction the Institute is now pursuing,” the Committee Chairman said.
In her address, the Administrator of the Public Service Institute of Nigeria Administrator/ CEO, Barrister Imeh Okon welcomed members of the Committee and described the visit as timely, coming shortly after the completion of his first 100 days in office. He explained that the period was deliberately focused on understanding the institution, engaging staff, and restoring operational discipline rather than publicity.
According to her, management instituted monthly whole-of-staff engagement forums, reinstated weekly departmental meetings, and introduced staff morale initiatives aimed at strengthening teamwork, accountability, and a sense of belonging.
On service delivery, Barrister Imeh Okon disclosed that PSIN successfully completed the onboarding of its Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centre as an accredited facility by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), strengthening the Institute’s capacity to deliver technology-driven and credible assessments.
Shee added that over 400 public servants from various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) were trained during the period, while PSIN also conducted nationwide promotion examinations for more than 2,600 staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The Administrator further highlighted steps taken to restore financial discipline, including strengthened financial controls, compliance with government financial regulations, comprehensive audits of facilities and assets, and the recovery and regularisation of outstanding revenues, all aimed at promoting transparency and value for money.
Physical infrastructure improvements were also recorded, with renovated lecture rooms, rehabilitated facilities, improved sanitation systems, fumigation of the premises, and enhanced security measures to protect government assets.
Looking ahead, he outlined plans to modernise PSIN’s curriculum, expand e-learning and blended learning platforms, digitise internal processes, and fully embrace the Institute’s think-tank mandate through policy dialogues, advisory services, and strategic partnerships, including a proposed twinning arrangement with the Singapore Public Service Institute.
The highlight of the visit was the presentation of PSIN’s 2024 budget performance, in line with the Institute’s core mandate of training and continuous retraining of public servants.
Members of the Committee welcomed the presentation and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting PSIN through legislation, policy guidance, and advocacy aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s public service architecture.
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