A wood carver in Awka, Chief Godwin Ofunwa, has called for the establishment of an Arts and Craft quarters in Awka to rekindle the interest of youths in the craft industry. Speaking on ABS Radio Programme, “Eko Awka”, which showcases the culture and tradition of the Awka Community, Chief Ofunwa, who joined the Arts and craft Industry in 1971 after learning the profession under his late father, regretted that many people are no longer interested in wood carving and other crafts, which he described as a very lucrative venture that can earn foreign exchange and boost the living standards of the people.
Chief Ofunwa, who hails from Awka, in Awka South local government area, urged the government to build a special Technical and Vocational Training College in Awka where Arts and Crafts should be taught to restore the lost glory of Wood carving across the State and called on the government to introduce hand crafts across Primary and Secondary schools and create a healthy competition in hand crafts, instead of using money in lieu of hand crafts, as it is being done in primary schools these days.
According to Chief Ofunwa, there was great joy in engaging in practical hand crafts during the good old days, especially in primary schools, pointing out that if it can be reintroduced, it will go a long way in bringing back those forgotten hand crafts to the society.
Another guest on the programme, Chief Johnny Nwobu, spoke on the need for youths to engage in apprenticeship before embarking on any business, blaming the failures of many enterprises on poor management.
Chief Nwobu, an Awka-based Driving School proprietor, reminded the people on the need to learn driving and have the skills to reduce the high rates of accidents on the highways and urged the government to provide an area where people can learn the skills of driving, saying that such an establishment will, apart from generating money for the State, will also boost the aesthetics of Awka, the capital of Anambra State.
The Driving School proprietor who is also an Awka indigene made a strong case for the establishment of a Blacksmith Institute and village in Awka to enable more people to learn the art of blacksmithing, which the Awka community is known for, to encourage more youths to engage in blacksmithing and save the art from going into extinction.
He charged affluent citizens of Awka to always assist youths with cash and equipment to enable them to engage in any skill they have interest in, to divert their minds from restiveness and other social vices.
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