The Executive Secretary of National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, in a manner which many described as a show of love and concern for his staff, on Friday, June 8, 2012, led a 30-man delegation to pay a condolence visit on a staff of the Research and Documentation Department of the Institute, Mrs. Finti Muhitir, who lost her beloved husband, Mr. Istifanus Ibrahim Mutihir, a Deputy Director in Central Bank of Nigeria, in the ill-fated Dana Airplane crash, which occurred in Lagos on Sunday, June 3, 2012.

While sympathizing with Mrs. Finti Muhitir, Dr. Ayakoroma regretted that the first time management was visiting the staff and her family, it was on an account of an unfortunate incident, saying: “This is not the kind of visit we expect. It should have been child birth or a naming ceremony, but it has happened. We know what it means to lose a dear one because things will never be the same again; but we pray that the good Lord will grant you the fortitude to bear the loss.”

Ayakoroma further assured that management will continue to keep in touch with the bereaved family just as he encouraged members of staff not to be weary in visiting their colleague to console her and the family, stressing that even if it meant spending the whole day, they should, but ensure that their Heads of Departments were duly informed.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Director/Special Assistant to the ES, Hon. Nelson Ebi Campbell, has presented an official condolence letter, to Mrs. Fintir Mutihir, on behalf of management and staff of the Institute.

The letter, dated 8th June, 2012, and signed on behalf of the Executive Secretary, read in part: “It is indeed with a deep sense of loss, but with gratitude to Almighty God, that we express our most heartfelt sympathy to your family, as you mourn this irreplaceable loss. While we pray that the Almighty God grants the family and friends the fortitude to bear the loss, please, accept the assurances of my esteemed regards.”

In a vote of thanks, on behalf of the bereaved family, Mrs. Rakiya Gyang Buba, wife of the Gbomg Gwom Jos, who is an elder sister of Mrs. Fintir Mutihir, appreciated the show of love extended to the family by management and staff of the Institute, by deeming it fit to come out in large numbers to commiserate with the family.

Before leaving the bereaved family, the Assistant Director (Protocol), Mr. Alex Omijie, offered prayers to Almighty God, interceding that such a tragedy should not befall the family or the Institute again.

Other management staff on the entourage of the ES include Mr. Louis Eriomala, (Director of Research and Documentation), Mr. Mike Ekoko (Assistant Director/Head of Research Unit), Mr. James Gillowei (Media Assistant to ES), Mr. Ebi Asene (PA to ES), and Alhaji Ndaman, among others.

Caleb Nor
Corporate Affairs