The Chief launcher of the year 2022 edition of Iyara cultural day in ijumu local government area of Kogi State and founder of Osaseyi Foundation, Mr Richard Osaseyi has stressed the importance of the community cultural day as one that is capable of fostering a more complete understanding of community development.
According to Osaseyi, developmental trajectories of communities are usually explained by reference to economic history, human capital deficits, and/or the structure of local labor markets.
Rarely he said, is local culture seen as playing a significant role in development outcomes. Nor does empirical research routinely consider the role of local culture in fostering a more complete understanding of community development. Instead, culture is often viewed as an outgrowth of a particular region and dependent upon economic and other experiences, not an independent force. Such perspectives miss an important aspect of the development process he said.
He further stated that the culture of a community significantly shapes debate and action as local culture also presents unique options for locally based economic and other development.
“Local understandings and interpretations of a community’s history reflect past events that feed into, and are partially driven by the demands, sentiments, and interests of those in the present.
This makes it crucial for community development practitioners to consider the importance of culture in efforts to improve local well-being. By paying attention to, and incorporating unique cultural values, traditions, and related factors, more efficient and effective development efforts can be achieved.
The Chief Launcher, Mr. Richard Osaseyi, founder of Osaseyi Foundation also donated N1,000,000 in addition to the donation of N500,000 by his foundation.
