The President of the World Crafts Council (Africa Region), Olusegun Runsewe, has urged Nigerians living abroad to respect the cultural values, laws and constituted authorities of their host countries.
Runsewe gave the advice in Abuja following the recent dispersal of Nigerians by authorities in the Netherlands for holding an open-air street party in violation of local regulations.
He described the incident as regrettable and avoidable, noting that it violated Dutch laws and cultural norms and embarrassed Nigeria before the international community.
The former Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture explained that communal celebration is deeply rooted in many Nigerian cultures, especially in the South West, where community members come together to celebrate achievements and milestones.
He however noted that social expectations and public conduct differ considerably across Western societies, which value privacy, orderliness and serenity of the environment, adding that loud open-air gatherings without approval infringe on those values.
Runsewe advised Nigerians in the diaspora to study and understand the cultural and legal frameworks of their host countries to preserve dignity and promote peaceful coexistence.
He stressed that Nigerians are generally known for hard work, respectfulness and law-abiding conduct, and that the action of a few should not be used to stigmatize the entire country.
The WCC Africa President appealed to the people and government of the Netherlands to exercise understanding over the incident.
He also called on leaders of Nigerian diaspora associations and community organizations across Europe, America and other regions to strengthen cultural orientation and sensitization programmes on civic responsibility, cultural tolerance and compliance with local laws.
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(Editor: Ken Eseni)
