The head of Culture Division, Social Affairs Department of the African Union Commission (AUC), Angela Martins has called on Africans to join hands in ensuring the preservation of their respective culture.

She stated this on Tuesday while delivering her Christmas message to Africans in all works of life. She added that the culture of a people defines who they are.

“Season’s greetings to everyone celebrating Christmas especially my African brothers and sisters, may the joy and peace the season brings abound in our lives. As we celebrate, let us also remember that our culture as Africans is what defines us as a people, our culture is an asset and plays a vital role in our development process. We must therefore guard it jealously and strive to promote it,” she said.

According to her, any race stripped of its culture is as good as lost. The African Union recognizes this and that is why it holds culture as central to its African integration and development initiative.