Chief Emeka Anyaoku, former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, has appealed to the Federal Government to preserve the nation’s rich cultural heritage through inclusion in education curriculum.
Anyaoku made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of “Uda Nkwa”, a stage play at Terra Culture in Lagos.
The play, sponsored by First Bank Nigeria, was produced by Joseph Edgar, known as the Duke of Shomolu, Nigerian businessman, entrepreneur and philanthropist.
Anyaoku, who is 92 years old, described the play as fabulous and exciting, capturing historical moments of Arochuku, one of seven kingdoms in Igbo land.
He explained that the governance hierarchy of Arochukwu, in the play, depicted the need for Nigeria’s vast cultural heritage nationwide.
This, the elder stateman, added would help to preserve and pass on to the younger generation through the schools.
“I believe it is exceedingly important that our cultures should be preserved because the people that we are, are people who will react to development best by maintaining their culture.
‘I would advise the federal government to see that the curriculums of schools in different parts of the country include studies of the traditional cultures in different parts of the country,” he said.
Edgar, the producer, told NAN that “Uda Nkwa” is part of a series of historical plays, while listing others in the collection.
Speaking on the significance of the play, he said that Arochukwu was a kingdom that was never conquered by anybody.
“They never lost any war and they’re a very, very mysterious kingdom. So, we all grew up with the stories of the shrine.
“So, everybody who went to secondary school in the 80s knew of the Arochukwu shrine because it was very popular during the slave trade.
“So, this story was just woven around the 73 year reign of that king and their fight against the colonisers,” he added.
He noted that the cast was 50 and the production sponsored by First Bank, adding that the play would be taken to the global audience.
He commended First Bank for supporting theatre in Nigeria and bankrolling its entire production for 2025 but declined comment on how much the bank donated.
“First Bank have been with us for five years now. Surprisingly, this summit that was held last December, they (First Bank) just gave money for the whole of 2025,’ he said.
After the stage play, Edgar addressed attendees, reeling out names of supporters across sectors including the traditional head of the Arochukwu Kingdom, who made the production a success.
Also, the Eze of Arochukwu Kingdom, Dr Eberechukwu Oji, while appreciating efforts of the producer, pledged his support and commended the contributions of all indigenous people.
“So, we really want to thank the crew. We want to thank you for really putting up an enthralling, entertaining, exciting, fantastic, exclusive and wonderful performance.
Oji, who attended the event with his wife, received an award for attending the event from the producer.
The kings entourage was accompanied by a cultural performance group, who ushered him in and out of the venue with cultural music and performances.
FirstBank Nigeria has sponsored several productions by the Duke of Shomolu Production House, led by Edgar.
Some of these productions include: A “Deep Dive Into History“, “Our Duke Has Gone Mad Again“, among others.
First Bank said the sponsorship demonstrated its support for the arts and its commitment to promoting Nigerian culture and heritage.