The National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), a parastatal of the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture in furtherance of its statutory objectives is set to organize a 2-day Annual Roundtable on Cultural Orientation (ARTCO), with the theme: “Mainstreaming Culture in the Nation’s Economic Agenda” on 8th-9th March, 2018 at the Prestige Hotel Event Hall, Airport Road, Benin City, Edo State by 10am prompt.

The Honourable Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed is the Chief Host; Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Culture and Tourism, Honourable Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, is the Chairman of occasion while the Acting Executive Secretary of NICO, Mr. Louis Eriomala is the Host.

His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, the Executive Governor of Edo State is the Special Guest of Honour and will also deliver the Keynote Address on “Mainstreaming Culture in the Nation’s Economic Agenda”. Professor Eghosa Osagie of Benson Idahosa University, Benin City will moderate the technical sessions.

ARTCO 2018 is designed to serve as a veritable platform for the exchange of views on topical cultural issues by scholars and stakeholders. The resource persons drawn largely from the academia will deliver papers on six (6) sub-themes: Understanding the Relationship Between Cultural Values and Economic Development; Cultural Industries as Catalyst for Economic Growth; Culture and Economic Growth: Lessons from Leading Economies; Recreating Cultural Festivals for Economic Benefits; and Culture and Economy: The Dynamics of Globalization.

The Annual Roundtable also seeks to mobilize and sensitize participants to appreciate the importance and use of our culture to national development; underscore the relationship between culture and economic development and emphasize the place of culture as one of the pillars of sustainable development.

Caleb Nor

Media Assistant to ES, NICO

09083014051