The National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), affiliating its Diploma and Post Graduate Diploma programmes in Cultural Administration, being offered at its Training School, Lagos, to Nasarawa state University, Keffi (NSUK).

Speaking at the occasion, which took place on Wednesday 18th April, 2012, at the Senate Chambers, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Shamsudeen Amali, said, “History has been made by the signing of this MoU, because the greatest thing Nigeria can offer to the world is our Arts and Culture. Therefore, the linking of NICO and NSUK would provide great cultural development for our country Nigeria, which is why the University has anticipated this moment anxiously.”

Professor Amali also stated that, “Nigeria, and indeed Africa, is known for its culture and since the birth of this country, our cultures have been created, and are still being created; and as true Nigerians, we cannot joke with our culture because we live culture, we breath culture, therefore we must utilize culture for our country’s development, as every development in the world is contingent on the people’s culture and no country develops in isolation from its culture.”

According to the Vice Chancellor, “NICO and NSUK have got a great future together because we both have cultural and artistic abilities. Therefore, we must use it for the development of our people and our country.”

He noted that the cultural training being offered at NICO Training School and at the University, is for the enrichment of Nigerians, so the partnership being forged by the affiliation would enable both Institutes to enrich each other towards a better and richer civilization for the Nigerian people, as the knowledge of the country’s cultures would make Nigeria richer and more united.

Professor Amali concluded: “It is the people of a country who speak for and about its culture and NICO is in existence to do just that and NSUK has now partnered with them to do same.”

Signing the MoU on behalf of NICO, the Executive Secretary, Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, commended the fatherly role of the Vice Chancellor, whom he said, holds NICO in very high esteem to have accepted and granted the request for the affiliation.

Dr. Ayakoroma stated that the long journey towards this memorable occasion started when he constituted a 12-member committee to review the curriculum of Training School because the old one was not good enough and that he saw the need to affiliate the School with to a relevant department.

According to the ES, two factors necessitated the choice of NSUK; “the first is that Nasarawa State University, Keffi, is the only university in Nigeria that is offering a course in theatre and cultural studies and second; Professor Emmanuel Danduara, the Head of Department, Theatre and Cultural Studies, NSUK, happens to be a member of the committee and he was quick to suggest that his University was ready for the affiliation, when the issue was discussed.”

The NICO boss therefore thanked relevant officers, who made the affiliation a success, stating that, “With the signing of the MoU, affiliating NICO Training School with the University, the certificates offered for the Diploma and Post Graduate Diploma courses in Cultural Administration at the School would receive national and international recognition.”

He stated further that with the strategic positioning of NICO, there is a lot both parties would do together and gain tremendously from such experiences, and assured the Vice Chancellor and his team that the management of NICO would ensure that the purpose for the affiliation is realised.

Present to witness the signing of the MoU, from the University were the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics) Prof. J. O. E. Otuka, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) Prof. Shehu Rahman, the Registrar, Alhaji Dalhatu O. Mamman, Chief Accountant /Head of Bursary, Mr. Michael Waki, Head of Department (Economics), Prof. Mrs. Ebele Amali, Head of Department, Theatre and Cultural Studies, Professor Emmanuel Dandaura, Acting Director, Nasarawa State University Consultancy Ltd, Dr. Yusuf D. Bulus, Dean, Faculty of Law, Associate Professor Maxwell Gidado, and Head, Legal Unit, Barr. Ramatu Liman.


On the Executive Secretary’s entourage were the Executive Director, Benue State Council for Arts & Culture, Mr. Richard Tsevende, Director, Administration and Human Resources, Barr. Abayomi Oyelola, mni, Director, Training School, Prince Bamidele Olusa,  Director, Orientation and Cultural Affairs, Mr. Festus Ihenetu, Director, Finance and Accounts, Mr. Godson Ordu, Director, Research and Documentation, Mr. Louis Eriomala, Deputy Director/SA to ES, Mr. Ebi Nelson Campbell, Assistant Director (Protocol), Mr. Alex Omijie, Assistant Director/Head (Legal Unit), Barr. M.I. Kakamba, and other NICO staff.

Jonathan Nicodemus
Corporate Affairs.