The profile of the Executive Secretary, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, appears to be rising by the day as he has been appointed Member, Advisory Board of the Institute of Arts and Culture, University of Port Harcourt.
In a letter, Ref: UPH/VC/01, dated 3rd April, 2014, addressed to the NICO ES, titled, “Appointment As Member, Advisory Board,” and signed by the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Joseph Ajienka, the University expressed confidence that with Ayakoroma’s wealth of experience in the Arts and Culture sector, his contribution will be invaluable in achieving the Institute’s aims and objectives.
According to the letter, the Institute which offers professional training in Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Photography, Film and Television Studies, Creative Writing, Fashion and Clothing Technology and Prop Craft, was founded in 2011 to function in collaboration with National and International Arts Institutes and Academies to give professional skills training to students in the arts.
Meanwhile, Ayakoroma has accepted the appointment, appreciating the Management of the University for the confidence reposed on him to bring his wealth of experience to bear towards making the Institute one of the foremost Centres of Excellence for artistic pursuit in Africa.
His acceptance letter, signed on his behalf by Mr. Alex Omijie, NICO’s Director of Orientation & Cultural Affairs, dated 5th August, 2014 and addressed to the Vice-Chancellor of the University reads in part: “I am directed to convey Dr. Barclays Ayakoroma’s acceptance of appointment as Member, Advisory Board of your esteemed Institute of Arts and Culture, University of Port Harcourt. Your gesture reposes confidence in Dr. Ayakoroma’s professional competence in Arts and Culture Administration in the country and this is warmly received.”
It will be recalled that Ayakoroma was a Lecturer in the Department of Theatre Arts, University of Port Harcourt between 1992-2000 before taking a Leave of Absence on his appointment as the Executive Director, Bayelsa State Council for Arts and Culture (BYSCAC), by His Excellency, Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha, the first Executive Governor of Bayelsa State.
He however retired voluntarily for the service of the University of Port Harcourt, following his appointment by His Excellency, late Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, then President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as Executive Secretary of NICO in November 2009.
Caleb Nor
Corporate Affairs Unit
NICO, Abuja