Cultural Day Helps In Promoting Children's Identity, Traditions---Okonji

Cultural Day Helps In Promoting Children's Identity, Traditions---Okonji 

By Magnus Emuji 

The Head of the Management of Ambassador for Christ Academy, Okpanam in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State, Dr. Gabriel Okonji, has asserted that Cultural Day ceremony of the school is designed to educate the children about their roots and identity, which helps in exposing them to their traditions.

Okonji, an educationist , who stated this in Okpanam during the 2026 Cultural Day Celebration of the school, noted that the significance of culture is vast and cannot be overemphasized.

He said that the Cultural Day also exposes the children to know how to behave, what to value and why those values matter to them, adding that it builds pride in their heritage and teaches them to respect other people's cultures.

While saying that language was a key part of culture that must be deliberately taught, Okonji advised parents to be intentional in speaking their native languages at home regularly and encourage the children to respond in it even if they make mistakes or not.

Okonji urged parents to always share stories, proverbs , folktales in their dialect, stressing that they should create opportunities for their children to interact with extended family members who speak their language fluently in order for them  to learn much better in speaking their speaking their dialect.

He explained that when children understand their language, they connect more deeply with their identity and commended the organizers of of the Cultural Day ceremony for putting together such a meaningful and impactful event .

The Head teacher of Mgbala Model Primary School, Okpanam, Mrs. Rita Omagbemi lauded the children for perfectly displaying their heritage, saying that it was important for schools to organize Cultural Day for their students at all times.

Omagbemi , however, enjoined parents to be teaching their children their native languages regularly, reminding them that their culture and traditions might go into extinction if they do not educate their children their identity.

Earlier in her welcome address, the Proprietress of Ambassador for Christ Academy, Mrs.  Felicia Okonji said that cultural heritage tells the story of who the people are and where they come from, pointing out that Nigeria is blessed with many  wonderful cultures such as the Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo , Efik , Edo and Ibibio among others.

Mrs. Felicia Okonji stated that the children would showcase different cultural outfits, songs , dances and presentations, even as she appreciated parents for their support,  cooperation and encouragement without which she acknowledged, the cultural day celebration would not have been possible.

She stated that the Cultural Day was  aimed at showcasing the identity of the children, which according to her  plays critical role in preserving their customs with a view to passing them to the future generations.

The School Proprietress further called on parents and everyone to strive towards preserving their culture.