The Zonal Coordinator, NICO North-Central Zonal Office in Ilorin, capital of Kwara State, Mr. Ohi Ojo, has urged NICO staffers to always bring their creativity to bear in the performance of their duties, saying there is much within the local environment requesting for innovations.

Mr. Ojo, who made the statement in his office, on Tuesday, 22nd Sept, 2015, while presenting two local food warmers made of clay to Alhaji Murtala A. Olaiya, a metal works designer, added that, the maiden production of the local food warmer was not restricted to its current creative design, as constructive criticisms are welcome in order to enhance the concept.

Alhaji Olaiya, who is one of the Directors of Olaiya Metal Works (Nig.) Ltd, was invited to NICO North-Central Zonal Office for the presentation, so that he could give his input and further design appropriate holders for the first-ever clay, local food warmers, conceptualised and designed by NICO North-Central Zonal Office.

Mr. Ojo said that, apart from serving as an alternative utensil for the preservation of food, the concept of clay food warmer is also aimed at protecting hoteliers and other food vendors from excessive fire heat related ailments.

The Director confessed that, he has not seen such an innovation before, and therefore pledged his support to the process of enhancing the clay food warmer to fully realize its commercial value and also to enable the society have alternative avenues of food preservation.  

PoIt will be recalled that, Mrs. Hajara Omodele, a potter who operates at Dada Okelele Pottery Factory situated in the riverine suburb of Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State, made the clay food warmer, as conceptualised by NICO North-Central Zonal Office.

The clay food warmers, measuring 30.5cm x 26cm and 30cm x 21cm, respectively, were one of the assignments the Zonal Coordinator, Mr. Ohi Ojo, on his assumption of duty on 23rd August, 2015, gave to the Research and Documentation Department in the Zone to explore areas that could be beneficial to the cultural industry.

Present at the presentation were the Head of Admin, Anthony Olasinde, Head, Research & Documentation, Ariyo Adeoti, and Head, Orientation & Cultural Affairs, Ahmed Mohammed.

Naseer Saeed Ategba

NICO NCZ