Educator and founder of the Cleverminds Educational Foundation, Zion Oshiobugie has urged the federal government to intensify efforts to facilitate cultural exchanges with other nations to foster mutual understanding.
Oshiobugie spoke after his return trip from Canada at an event attended by Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atwuwase III and His Majesty Olori Atwuwase III.
He said his trip, which was a cultural exchange program, turned out to be a valuable learning opportunity for the Nigerian delegation and their Canadian hosts to learn about each other’s cultures and traditions, and visit various Canadian landmarks and tourist destinations.
“I must say that cultural exchanges have many benefits, including learning about different cultures, promoting mutual understanding and building lasting relationships. It is also important to actively seek out and interact with people from different cultures and to make an effort to understand and appreciate the customs and traditions of your host country.”
The trip, he added, introduced the monarch and his wife to officials from the Nigerian High Commission in Canada, as well as the Canadian Global Affairs Commission, the city of Calgary. The Tsuut’ina Nation among others. His talk with the aforementioned agencies focused on strengthening economic ties and promoting mutual understanding.
Oshiobugie also appreciated royalties for the construction of a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) lab for his institute in Delta State. Noting that the trip was the first such cultural exchange involving traditional rulers, he urged other leaders to follow in the footsteps of the Olu of Warri and invest in programs that will benefit their communities and the nation.
