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Tag: NICO

  • FRCN chief praises NICO

    FRCN chief praises NICO

    The Zonal Director, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), South-east zone, Mr Chigozie Obialor, has praised the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Executive Secretary, Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, for reshaping the outfit.

    At a meeting with the NICO Enugu State team in his office, Obialor identified culture as the vector for information dissemination that ensures social reformation. He appreciated the institute’s management for working towards the fulfilment of its mandate, describing the relationship between NICO and FRCN as necessary for value re-orientation.

    Obialor, who also identified culture as a bedrock in information management since every story is hinged on the culture of any organisation or people, praised NICO for their strong presence in the nation, especially the establishment of the Enugu Office, adding that it had spread to all nooks and crannies of the country.

    He congratulated the office on the successful outing on long vacation four-week Nigeria Indigenous Language Programme (NILP).

    Earlier, the Head, NICO Enugu State office, Mr Nwajagu Nnaemeka, told the media boss that they were in his office to show appreciation on the coverage of the maiden Nigerian Indigenous Language Programme (NILP) organised by the state Office in Enugu, between August 2 and September 6, this year.

    Nwajagu identified the electronic media as powerful tool to reach the people, particularly those in the rural areas, hence a sine-qua non in the propagation of NICO’s vision and mission.

    He said it was up to the owners of any particular culture to ensure it survived or not, and further pointed out that the media was the major channel the Westerners used to infiltrate into our culture and polluted the minds of the young ones; and that there was urgent need to “chase out the owl from the source it came.”

    The NICO Enugu State chief was also said: “We have to let the world know of our culture by introducing new programmes and teaching most of our existing ones in our local dialects, and further observed that culture quiz and essay competitions need to be strengthened through the media to restore our cherished culture.”

    Mr Austin Okezie of the Research and Documentation Department enumerated the programmes of NICO and enjoined FRCN to assist in ensuring that our culture does not go into extinction through regular programmes that will showcase our rich culture.

    He specifically solicited for partnership between the Igbo Unit of FRCN and NICO, in the realisation of this noble objective, expressing worry that our people have been disconnected from their cultures as a result of negative media influence, hoping that the support of FRCN will go a long way in ameliorating the situation.

    The Manager (Programmes), Mr Fidelis Onor, expressed appreciation to NICO for the laudable programmes aimed at bringing back our lost glory and promised to feature NICO activities in the FRCN language programme, “Ka oha malu,” and prayed for the continuing relationship.

    Other FRCN management staff present at the occasion include Jonas Emechebe Deputy Director, Engineering Services; Dr. Vincent Ekwerike, Deputy Director, Programmes; Mr Anthony Umeh, Deputy Director, Finance and Accounts; Mr Innocent Ekwerike, Assistant Director, Administration and Supplies); Mr Frank Okoli, Assistant Director, Internal Audit; Mr Sunny Ekechukwu, Manager, Marketing and Mr. Nath Obikpo, Head, Igbo Unit.

     

  • Why we are training NICO staff, by Executive Secretary

    The Executive Secretary, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Dr. Barclays Ayakoroma, has said the institute is keen on making culture workers more responsive and effective in the sector.

    Speaking at a workshop titled: Repositioning cultural workers for improved productivity organised for staff of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, he said the training would be a platform for people to current trends in cultural application.

    He reiterated that the purpose of the workshop was to train workers who will appreciate the fact that the culture sector is relevant in national development as well as contribute to revenue generation drive of the country. He hinted that NICO was discussing with states on the programme and would also organise similar workshop in Lagos where workers of the various state cultural agencies would participate. He added that NICO as the training arm in the cultural sector is working towards special packages to organise such training in various states.

  • NICO trains workers

    The Executive Secretary, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Dr. Barclays Ayakokoma, has said the organisation is keen on making workers in the cultural sector more responsive and effective.

    He stated this during the opening of a workshop titled: Repositioning cultural workers for improved productivity, organised for staff of the ministry in Koroduma, Nasarawa State.

    He explained that the training would enable the staff to appreciate better the relevance of the sector in national development and reposition it towards revenue generation for the country.

    He said the training was a platform for his staff to refresh their minds and attune with trends in cultural application.

    ‘’As you know very well that if a person is not receiving regular training, he might get rust.

    “This is the first edition of the repositioning workshop organised for staff of the ministry, we believe that it would be done either quarterly or annually,”he added.

    Ayakoroma said NICO is discussing with states on the programme is concerned and would organise one in Lagos where workers of the various state cultural agency would participate.

    He added that as the training arm of the ministry, NICO was working towards special packages to organise such training in some states.

  • Pomp at Omoluabi Club launch

    Pomp at Omoluabi Club launch

    It was a combination of dance and drama during the cultural display at the inauguration of the 17th Southwest NICO Cultural Club, Omoluabi.

    The inauguration took place at Saint Dominic High School, Akure. It attracted a huge crowd of teachers, students, and other well-wishers, who welcomed the NICO team led by the Zonal Head, Mr Ohi Ojo.

    The Principal, Mrs Funmilayo Adegbenro, said it was time Nigerians identified with the country’s rich cultural values and heritage. She said the essence of inviting NICO for the inauguration was to enable both workers and students of the school to be well-informed about the need to protect, preserve and promote their culture. She called for the promotion of Yoruba and other indigenous languages, which are an integral part of culture.

    She added that the inauguration of the club in her school and other schools in Nigeria would serve as bedrock for building well-cultured leaders and dedicated citizens in the future.

    Mr Ojo said culture is usually misconstrued by the public as mere wearing of traditional attires. He said culture goes beyond physical appearance to describe the a people’s way of life. He added that the NICO cultural club was not for the Yoruba people alone, but for all Nigerians, as its aim is to inculcate into the students/youths the right cultural values needed to become better persons in the future. Finally, Mr Ojo urged all Nigerians to jealously protect and promote our cultural values and heritage, as that was the only identity we had as a people.

    The event was spiced with various theatrical performances such as a drama “Ekun Iyawo” (Bridal farewell) which saw a bride leave her family in tears for marriage.

    The pupils also thrilled the audience with pulsating cultural dance displays from Ondo and Ikale communities of Ondo State.

    Ojo described the event as one of the best ever.

  • Award for NICO official

    Special Assistant to Executive Secretary of National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) Mr Nelson Ebi Campbell has been given the Keme-ebidouowei of Izon Ebe award by the Empowered Youths of Bayelsa State. The presentation was made in Angalabiri Town, Sagbama Local Government Area of the state.

    The chairman of the event, the Special Adviser to the Bayelsa State Governor on Legal Matters, Mr Stanley Damabide, described Campbell as a man of great wisdom”.

    Presenting the award, the former Director-General, Bayelsa State Bureau for Arts and Culture, Dr. Famous Eseduwo, described Campbell as a man of honour, integrity, compassion and an illustrious son of the Izon nation. He also described the Executive Secretary of NICO, Dr. Barclays Ayakoroma, as a man of vision and good heart, filled with love for progress and humanity.

    Responding, Campbell charged the youths to work hard to achieve success in life.

    The occasion attracted people drawn from the academia and the political class, including the Amananaowei of Toru-Angiama community, His Highness King Adueze, who was the father of the day; Special Assistant to the Executive Governor of Bayelsa State (Administration), Mr. Austin Owoso; the Chairman, Angalabiri Community Development Union, Mr. Alegi Ebiotu; as well as staff of NICO Headquarters, Abuja, South-South and South-East zones.

    Guests at the the event were treated to colourful dance drama performances presented by Ofoni community women dance group and the popular Able Ladies Dance Group of Angalabiri community.

  • ‘Cultural festival is alternative to crude oil’

    ‘Cultural festival is alternative to crude oil’

    The Executive Secretary, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Dr Barclays Ayakoroma, has said the sure way out of the increasing danger of over dependence on oil and gas is the adoption and repackaging of cultural festivals in line with global best practices. He said over the years, oil exploration and exploitation have not only aggravated pollution and youth restiveness, but have also led to hostage-taking, pipeline vandalisation, oil spillages, communal protests and kidnapping, among other vices.

    He said it was high time managers of the economy looked towards other directions to diversify the revenue generation base, adding that one of such platforms is cultural festivals.

    “They are people-oriented because they celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the community; they are not capital intensive; they create jobs for the teeming unemployed thus ameliorating youth restiveness; and they have the potentials of stimulating the local economy,” he noted.

    Ayakoroma stressed that the revenue generation potential of cultural festivals is enormous unlike the oil sector where there are unwholesome practices by key players as seen in the joint venture operations. He cited inability of government to have direct control of oil quota, the recent oil subsidy scam, diversion of petroleum products by marketers as some of the challenges in oil and gas.

    He spoke at the opening of the fifth quarterly workshop organised by NICO in Lagos last week. The workshop, which was on repositioning Nigerian cultural workers for improved productivity had as theme Cultural festivals as tools for socio-economic transformation.

    In his paper entitled Between Crude Oil and Cultural Festivals: Which Way Nigeria? Ayakoroma said the boundaries of tourism have proved to be very elastic as fresh frontiers, broadened horizons and new perspectives have emerged on the tourist canvas over the years. He said the lexicon of tourism has widened into new areas such as medical tourism, sports tourism, religious tourism, cultural tourism and environmental tourism, which attract more players into the sector.

    “It is true that the original concept of tourist attractions as consisting only of exotic natural scenery is fast changing to include local travels and cross border sight-seeing. This explains the differentiation of domestic and international tourism as windows through which stakeholders can market their economies,” he said. He noted that though culture is the vehicle that drives tourism, most counties of the world now turn to tourism not just as an economic pursuit, but for image interpretation.

    He said having realised the dynamics of tourism industry, many states of the federation are keying into it to tap from its huge potentials. According to him, states such as Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Lagos, Niger, Plateau and Taraba have recognised the need to boost their internal generated revenue through tourism and as such embarked on development of tourism products to actualise that. “Kwara state is sourcing foreign and local investors to develop one of its largest festivals, the Patigi Regatta into a world-class event…The state government has constructed a motel, executive lodge and VIP chalets some kilometers away from where the event is staged with a view of making the festival an annual event,” Ayakoroma said.

    He listed some major carnivals and festivals that have become tourists attractions to include Ofala festival, Argungu festival, Osun Osogbo festival, Igue festival, Eyo festival, NAFEST, Abuja carnival, Calabar Xmas carnival and Rivers State carnival (Carniriv).

    In his remark at the opening session, he urged culture workers to tap into opportunities provided at training workshops to improve their productivity. He said such platform is not only significant for individual capacity development but it is also beneficial to the larger society when put to best use. He said there is the need for participants to cultivate effective networking between one another, adding that such networking platform would be useful in the future.

    Director, Training School, Prince Bamidele Olusa reiterated that NICO is focused on repositioning cultural workers in order to identify opportunities and to take actions that would bring positive changes and benefits to the society. “We have a high expectation that this workshop will be very beneficial to each o us, and will be put to best use at our various points of duty. We hope that this workshop will be an enjoyable and productive opportunity for you to meet and discuss various issues with your counterparts from other organizations,” Olusa added.

    The workshop also featured a ten minute drama presentation of a play, The Graduate Plava, written and directed by Dr. Dipo Kalejaiye. Among those who also presented papers at the workshop were Abayomi Oyelola, Oladipo Kalejaiye, Law Ikay Ezeh and Bridget Yerima.

  • NICO locates culture at the grassroots

    NICO locates culture at the grassroots

    The Executive Secretary of the National Institute for Culture Orientation (NICO), Dr. Backlays Ayakoroma, has said that the third tier of government has a lot to do to keep the rural people busy with cultural activities. He made this declaration while declaring open a two-day workshop with the theme: Culture and the Socio-economic transformation of local governments in Nigeria: Setting an agenda for development.

    In the view of Ayakoroma who has been in the forefront of organising workshops and seminars to point a way forward for the various local languages of the nation, “our focus here is to constantly use culture for national orientation and education. This nation is a nation of diverse cultures and we have traditional values and norms that are important to us. Our traditional rulers should be in the forefront of the promotion of those essential ingredients of tradition to make us a better society, a better people.”

    Ayakoroma further stated that the aim of the workshop was to remind the local government administrators how important they are to the advancement of the nation. “You people are very close to the grassroots. You know the importance of culture at the rudimental level . In fact the local government is designed to work very closely with the local dwellers using what is essential to them to cement love. This is why you need to propel development and encourage versatility in all spheres,” he asserted.

    The workshop which explored other sub-themes in the areas of socio-cultural and economic spheres tackled the problems of constitutional democracy and the role of local government system, promoting cultural industries and the imperatives of local government, and strategies for development, among other themes.

    The Minister of Culture, Chief Edem Duke, told the gathering that time had come when culture should be given its due place as a critical response to our contemporary challenges. “Culture should therefore be integrated into national development plans, policies and programmes. For me, it is of utmost necessity for the local government chairmen and top officials of the system to appreciate the critical role they have to play in the socio-economic and political transformation of the nation,” he said.

    Professor Olu Obafemi of the National Institute for Strategic Studies, Jos, Plateau State, called on the people to be custodians of their culture. “People should also identify with what is their own. Culture makes you who you are and so you need to constantly help to keep it alive. Moreover, let us all respect each others cultural values and norms,” he advised.

    Obafemi, a professor of English and Literary Studies, said that all his life he has been advocating the need for people to keep what they cherish most. “This, to me, will help the people to develop at their own pace.” The theme of his lecture which looked holistically at the local government system in terms of the promotion of the historical heritage of the people, called on governments to make the local areas more habitable for the people. “This will encourage a lot of people to have value for life and be busy too,” he enthused.

    Present at the occasion were traditional rulers, local government administrators, scholars, culture administrators, artistes and stakeholders in the culture sector. In the end, it was agreed that the symbiotic nature of the local government administration and the rural people can be effectively achieved if their monthly allocation is given to them directly. There is no need for the state to keep the money meant to the local people, thereby denying them of genuine democracy dividends.