The Executive Secretary, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, has disclosed the plans of the Institute to take its Nigerian Indigenous Language Programmes (NILP) to the Military and Police Barracks in Nigeria.
Dr. Ayakoroma made this known when he was giving a brief on NICO activities at Nasarawa State University Keffi (NSUK) during the Affiliation talk for the collaboration between the two institutions.
He said this was necessary because Barracks are melting pots where you have all Nigerians under one umbrella.
According to him, “we are all aware that in the Military and Police Barracks we have Nigerians from all ethnic groups work and live together. So, it will be wise to bring more unity among them with our language programmes. We have to make them know the indigenous language of one another.’’
Urging NSUK to include indigenous language in its General Studies (GES) course, Dr. Ayakoroma observed that the University community is also a place where you have a conglomeration of Nigerians from diverse tribes.
He explained that the students should be made to know Nigerian indigenous languages, because when they travel abroad indigenous languages of such foreign countries are compulsory unlike in Nigeria when foreign students are not subjected to study any Nigerian indigenous language. “So, it is wise we make our indigenous language compulsory for the students. It will help them a lot. NICO is ready to play a vital role in this regard.’’
He also added that the Institute has plans to start weekend indigenous language programmes, which will help many Nigerians who are busy in offices and their businesses to have a nice venture where they can pass their weekends with knowledge.
In his remarks, Prof. James Otuka (DVC, Academic) applauded the initiative saying, it is quite striking to think of developing indigenous Nigerian languages especially making it a priority to take them to the barracks and the University community. “Honestly you have wonderful cultural programmes in NICO. It struck me most even as a Physicist when you talked of taking indigenous languages to the Barracks and the Universities. It is a good idea. In fact, here in NSUK, we have the Language and Linguistics department. It is an area I know they will pick interest. I am quite impressed about your determination to harness Nigerian culture. Keep it up.’’
Other principal officers of the University included, the Dean of Arts, Professor Omelo Ojima, the Dean of Law, Dr. Maxwell Gidado, HOD Theatre and Cultural Studies, Professor Emma Dandaura, the Director of Academic Planning, Dr. (Mrs.) Fidelma Ukeje, and the University Bursar, Mr. Stephen Yakubu Azizi, all spoke and commended the programmes of NICO which are projecting Nigerian culture.
Nwagbo Nnenyelike
Corporate Affairs