The Proprietress of Aviella Nursery and Primary School, Ondo, Mrs Olaseha Ruth, has said that cultural celebrations in schools must serve a deeper purpose beyond colourful attire and festivities, stressing that they are vital tools for preserving history, language and identity.

Speaking during an interview session with Jobeth Media in commemoration of Ondo cultural day celebration, Mrs Olaseha emphasised the importance of keeping indigenous traditions alive through education and multilingual engagement.

She reflected on the excitement displayed by pupils as they showcased their heritage through traditional dressing, indigenous cuisine and native languages.

According to her, the annual event is not merely a spectacle but a deliberate effort to safeguard traditions for future generations.

“celebrating cultural day every year means a lot. It is a means of honouring and maintaining our culture and traditions— the values we pass from one generation to another— so that they do not fade away,” she said.

She observed that the celebration had a noticeable impact on pupils, particularly in reviving interest in indigenous languages. Some learners, she noted, had previously struggled to communicate in their mother tongue.

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“Today’s event exposed them to culture and language. It helped them understand where they are coming from— their roots. For some pupils, this was their first time wearing native attire and speaking their language. Some of them find it difficult communicating in Yoruba, but today they were able to do so,” she noted.

Mrs Olaseah emphasised that the essence of the day goes beyond glamour.
“Beyond the beautiful clothes, it is about keeping our tradition and history alive,” she said.

She explained that the school incorporated educational activities into the celebration, including the screening of indigenous films and storytelling sessions designed to deepen pupils’ understanding of their heritage.

“I made them watch movies about our stories and traditions. The children were happy— singing and celebrating after watching indegeineious movies and listening to our stories. It is one way of keeping our culture alive,” she said.

The event commemorated in Ondo state on February 23, is an annual observance initiated by United Nations and proclaimed by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization UNESCO every February 21.

This year’s theme, “Youth Voices on Multilingual Education,” highlights the need to provide learners with access to education in languages they understand best— a goal Mrs Olaseha believes begins at the foundational level of primary education.

For Aviella Nursery and Primary School,  cultural day remains more than a celebration— it is a commitment to ensuring that heritage, language and identity endure.