Okorocha: Bible, Quran too merciful — let’s swear in politicians with African deities

Rochas Okorocha, governor of Imo state, wants politicians to make use of deities during their swearing-in ceremony.

Okorocha, who made use of the Bible on the two occasions he was sworn in as governor, made the statement in Abuja during the quarterly public lecture of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO).

He said some politicians do things without conscience because God is merciful and forgiving.

“People that go outside their culture have automatically lost their identity. The removal of our culture is a colossal damage done to us by our colonial masters,” he said.

“Culture is a way of life of people. Food, language, dressing contribute in giving identity… We can fight corruption culturally in the sense that politicians should be sworn into office with deities. These deities don’t have mercy on anyone once they go contrary to its standard.

“The Bible and Quran are too merciful. That is why some of us do things without conscience knowing that God is merciful and forgiving.”

Okorocha said culture and economy were intertwined, and separating them would cause harm than good.

“Countries like China, Japan and India have made great impact with culture and tourism. They use their language to teach all the subjects in schools,” Okorocha said.

He called on stakeholders in the education sector to introduce culture studies into the school curriculum.

Mathew Urhoghide, chairman, senate committee on culture and tourism, said some of Nigeria’s woes were traceable to non-recognition of the impact and effect of culture.

“Culture is an enabler and driver of sustainable economic development. It is unfortunate that we are not emulating other countries which have taken the advantage in creative industry,” he said.

“There is need for the stakeholders to reposition and make the sector relevant in the scheme of things to enable it generate substantial revenue into the country.

“The senate committee is committed to the government’s effort to diversify the economy with the special focus on culture and tourism sector.”