The National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) has adopted the cultural club of the Anglican Girls’ Grammar School, Gudu, Abuja, as partners in promoting the country’s diverse cultures. This followed the inauguration of the school’s cultural club executives by the Executive Secretary of NICO, Mr Ado Mohammed Yahuza.
Speaking at the inauguration, Yahuza said the setting up of cultural clubs in secondary schools was conceptualised to lay a solid cultural and moral foundation for children in the country. According to him, activities of the club had been specifically packaged to inculcate Nigerian cherished cultural values of honesty, hard-work, patriotism, love for one another, and respect for elders as well as constituted authorities. Yahuza further stated that apart from stimulating culture consciousness and creativity in students, the NICO Cultural Club would encourage the students to shun examination malpractice, indecent dressing, drug abuse, cultism, and other vices. “We are convinced that if our students are supported, encouraged and are fully committed to the activities of the NICO Cultural Club, remarkable impact would be achieved and they would not only be worthy ambassadors but indeed aspiring leaders of tomorrow,” he said.
The NICO boss described the adoption of the school as an important milestone for the agency and the country at large. “Young children will be able to key into our culture as they are the future leaders. This cultural club will be a vehicle for advancing different Nigerian cultures and heritage. We believe that promotion of culture will help fight the menace of the bombardment from the social media, which is fast eroding the country’s heritage.”
The Executive Secretary, therefore, promised that NICO would provide all that is necessary for the club to flourish and achieve the objectives of its establishment.
In her remarks, the Principal of Anglican Girls Grammar School, Mrs Ngozi Ozigbo, commended NICO for establishing cultural clubs in secondary schools nationwide. She described extracurricular activities as vital for academic success; hence, the need for the club. According to her, the move will go a long way in promoting the nation’s cultural heritage and give the students the opportunity to learn the values and virtues of their culture. Some members of the NICO cultural club expressed their readiness to use the club to promote Nigerian culture among their peers. They called for more programmes that would enable them to know more about their culture and the country in general.