The Administration of the South-East Zonal Office of National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) in Owerri, Imo State, on Friday, 20th November, 2015, witnessed a change of baton as Mrs. Chioma Duru handed over to Ms Justina Akhilome, who was until this time the second in command, as the Zonal Coordinator.
In a brief but emotion laden speech, the out-going Zonal Coordinator, Mrs. Chioma Duru, recalled her experiences as the pioneer Zonal Coordinator, disclosing that, the initial challenges at the take-off office, and how the problems at the time appeared insurmountable.
She said it was not too long before succor came when the current Executive Secretary/CEO, Prof. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma came on board as NICO helmsman, relocated the Zonal Office to the present address, provided equipment and totally transforming it, which are some of the milestones for which she, and indeed all pioneering staff of the zone, would ever remain grateful to the Prof. Ayakoroma.
Praying God to bless and reward the ES for his excellent works in NICO, Mrs. Duru added that Prof. Ayakoroma caped his repositioning of the Zonal Office then with a visit, eulogizing the ES for his exceptional leadership qualities, which, according to her, inspired her to work hard in order to take the Zonal Office to a great heights.
In concluding, she applauded the staff for their immense support she received during her tenure and encouraged them to extend same to the new Zonal Coordinator, adding that, “The journey that started in April 2009 has officially ended today.”
Also speaking, the in-coming Zonal Coordinator, Ms. Justina Akhilome, thanked Mrs. Duru for her pioneering achievements and pledged to continue from where she stopped.
She stated that as one of the pioneer staffers of the Zone the teething problems associated with a pioneering endeavour were overcome with the cooperation of the staffers.
This, she said, was possible because of the fatherly and exemplary interest and constant support to the zone by the Executive Secretary, Prof. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, who, equipped the zone and ensured that it succeeded, promising to do her best to improve on the performances of her out-going colleague in order to bring about the attainment of NICO set goals.
Akhilome prayed God to grant Mrs. Duru success as she goes to assume duty as Assistant Director, Research and Documentation Department, at the Headquarters, Abuja – FCT, and calling on staffers of the zone to accord her the same level of cooperation that they accorded her predecessor.
On behalf of the zonal staffers, the Head of Research and Documentation, Mr. Obumneme Nwafor, pledged to cooperate with the new Zonal Coordinator just like her out-going colleague and wished Mrs. Duru success in her new role at the headquarters.
The brief but eventful ceremony, which was witnessed by staffers of the Zone, generated mixed feelings, the high point being the signing of the hand over formalities by both the out-going and in-coming coordinators; just as staffers of the zone prayed for the success of the two directors, in particular, and the management and staff, in general.
© Corporate Affairs
Nico SEZ, Owerri