Valentine Buraimoh, chairman of Amuwo Odofin LGA, has cautioned students against imbibing foreign cultures that could harm them and society.

Mr Buraimoh gave the advice during an art competition organised for secondary schools in Amuwo on Thursday in Lagos.

Culture Art Academy organised the event with Amuwo Odofin LGA and the National Council of Arts and Culture.

The council chairman said education was the best legacy any family or government could give children, adding that culture is a way of life guiding individuals in the right direction.

“However, in educating students, they have been exposed to norms and values from foreign cultures, different from ours and the children then exhibit strange behaviours.

“The exposure has given the right to doom all in the name of freedom of expression, even when it is harmful. When you disobey your culture, you begin to miss your steps. If you ignore education and focus on social media, you begin to imbibe negative cultures,” he said.

He urged the students to obey their parents, teachers, schools, and religious leaders so they could be guided by values that would benefit them in the future.

He also cautioned parents against behaviours, including quarrelling in the presence of their children, that could mislead them.

Augustine Ekhaiyeme, the founder of Culture Art Academy, said the event aimed to discover and encourage students with talents to excel in the field.

“We want them to be observant, to be conscious of everything around them, whether outside or within their house,” he said.

Mr Ekhaiyeme urged parents, guardians and schools that have observed artistic skills in their children and wards to encourage them by nurturing their talents and helping them grow.

(NAN)