When you sit with an elderly person, they often speak wistfully on how the past was better than the present. The wrinkles on their faces are usually visible as they lament the steady decline in values and culture. Underneath their façade, so much worry and concern for the present generation. In a bid to preserve a dying culture,Jovago.com, Africa’s No 1 hotel booking portal highlights some age-long practices that made Nigeria a better nation and how we can learn from it.
The art of storytelling
The art of storytelling is exclusively African. As a communal society, the art of rendering folkloric tales was prevalent in many Nigerian homes. On moonlit evenings in the past, children from different households sat on logs listening to elders tell tales woven from creative imaginations.
The stories were aimed at teaching children morals and were always accompanied by songs often chorused by the children. These stories contributed in grooming morally upright kids.
Honesty and trust
There are many trustworthy Nigerians, however, the degree and level of trust that existed in the past cannot be compared with what is available today.
Trust gave women selling their wares the confidence to leave her stores unattended without thoughts of being robbed crossing their minds. When they returned in the evening, two things were guaranteed, it is either they pick up their money or unsold wares. Very few people can attempt this today.
N1 to $1
Yes…this is true. The Naira was exchanged for almost a dollar. Most of the hotels located in this area here had room rates available at less than N10. Who would not want this to come back?
With the right economic policies as well as diversification of the economy driven by tourism, the Naira will once again stand shoulder-to-shoulder with other international currencies. In addition, more commercial centers may be floated so that Lagos will not collapse due to economic and social pressure. In the meantime, the Naira is currently exchanged at the rate of N199 to a dollar.