The Nigerian Legislative Arm of Government, through its House Committee on Culture and Tourism, has urged National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) not to relent in its effort at promoting Nigerian unity through culture with Nigerian Indigenous Language. This is coming just as the Bayelsa State Government created a special ministry, Ministry of Culture and Ijaw National Affairs, with the objective of promoting of Izon culture and languages.

Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Abdulmalik Usman, who registered the appreciation of the House of Representatives on the Institute’s efforts in harnessing culture for national development, said language was a very powerful uniting factor in a country with many languages, like Nigeria, and any effort in promoting such languages is healthy to the polity.

He said: “I commend NICO for this effort. Culture is the way of life of a people. Language is part of it. The House is committed to the unity of this country. So, I am proud of NICO. They are making us to be proud of our indigenous languages. It is a good effort towards harnessing our culture to develop Nigeria. I wish the Executive Secretary, NICO, Dr. Barclays Ayakoroma, the best in his efforts.”

The Permanent Secretary, Bayelsa Liaison Office, Abuja, Mr. Aye Dikuro, who conveyed the goodwill message of the Executive Governor of the State, Chief Seriake Dickson, to the ES, a Bayelsan, stated that his (Dr. Ayakoroma’s) track records in the culture sector at the national level had been glaring and it was heart-warming that the Bayelsa State Government created the Ministry of Culture and Ijaw National Affairs to enhance the development of the cultural sector.

Mr. Dikuro, who added that the Ministry has the objective of promoting culture and languages in Bayelsa State, asserted: “The objective is similar to what NICO is doing. In the area of language, which we are here today, Izon language is being promoted in schools in Bayelsa, in line with the NICO initiative.  We are happy to be here. We identify with NICO.”

The event, which took place at Rockview Hotel (Royale), Adetokunbo Cresecent, Wuse II, Abuja, had a former Director-General, National Gallery of Art (NGA), Dr. Paul Chike Dike, OON, as the chairman of the occasion.

 

Nwagbo Nnenyelike
Corporate Affairs