Owerri – Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo has called on South East geo-political zone to establish cultural centres for the preservation, documentation and promotion of Igbo cultural heritage.

Okorocha made the call in Owerri on Wednesday while inspecting the state’s Cultural Centre on Aba-Owerri road, Naze, for the people of Owerri Zone.

According to him, the centre is for the promotion of peace, culture, and unity of people in the state.

He expressed worry that most Igbo do not appreciate their culture as most of them now imitate foreign cultures.

Okorocha stressed the need for drastic measures to be taken to ensure that certain aspects of Igbo cultures do not go into extinction.

“Culture is our heritage; we owe it as a duty to bequeath it to the next generation. We must do everything to promote, preserve and document it for the next generation.

“If we fail in this responsibility, they will not forgive us. It is their right. My government attaches high premium to it”, he said.

The governor said the promotion of culture should be a collective responsibility, adding that the project would be replicated in Orlu and Okigwe zones of the state. (NAN)