The Federal Ministry of Information and Culture has commended the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), a parastatal under it for properly conducting its 2020 promotion examination.

Speaking during an interview with NICO News the Deputy Director, Appointment, Promotion and Discipline, Mr. Alexander Analike who was a representative and observer from the ministry said that, the promotion examination which held on Tuesday, September 15, 2020 at the Education Resource Centre (ERC), Abuja was conducted in line with Civil Service laid down rules as well as guidelines governing promotion examinations.

His words: “What happened at the Abuja exam centre, a microcosm of the 12 NICO examination centres where the exercise was conducted simultaneously shows that there are professionals here and the peculiar nature of the jobs they do was evident in the type of exam questions. The questions were asked based on their work schedules. So far so good, the exam was conducted well’’.

Analike further commended NICO for observing the precautionary measures and guideline procedures of COVID-19 of wearing of face masks, use of hand sanitizers and the observance of physical distance during the exercise.

The Executive Secretary, NICO, Ado Muhammed Yahuza was also present at the Abuja exam venue, to welcome the representative from the ministry and to see that the exam was conducted in a conducive atmosphere.

NICO News interviewed some of the staff who participated in the exercise. Some appreciated the consultant for the choice of questions and the management for the entire process. Mrs. Chioma Duru, a Deputy Director (CONRAISS 14 going to 15), Research and Documentation Department, who compared the 2020 examination and the previous ones said that there was a great difference in the choice of questions and general conduct of the exam.

Mrs. Blessing Fasomo, a Principal Cultural Officer (CONRAISS 12 going to 13),  in the Executive Secretary’s Office was optimistic that the result will be excellent since the questions cut across Public Service Rules, Current Affairs and schedule of duty. She further thanked the consultant for doing a painstaking job.

 The 2-hour promotion exercise had a total of 69 staff in the Abuja centre, 64 of which were on CONRAISS 7-10; 4 staff were on CONRAISS 11-13; and CONRAISS 14-15 had just a staff.

 Present at the venue for invigilation were Director & Coordinator NICO Training School, Abuja Study Centre, Mrs. Jane Anigala; Mrs. Patience Item; Ms. Deborah Pokuma, Mr. John Abimaje, Miss Fatima  Jafaru, among others.

Njideka Dimgba

 Media Unit

E S Office

Abuja