The aspirations of people in Niger State have been met as NICO Minna on Saturday, 23rd November, 2013, started the weekend programme of the Nigerian Indigenous Language Programme (NILP), a commencement date that coincided with the 25th Anniversary of the Emir of Minna, Alhaji Dr. Umar Faruk Bahago and the Abuja International Carnival 2013.
At the end of the maiden edition of Nigerian Indigenous Language Programme, held in August 2013 in Minna, Niger State, the participants had unanimously requested that the weekend indigenous language programme should be organised to accommodate interested persons, who could not register then because of their work schedule during the week.
The weekend programme features Hausa, Igbo, Nupe and Yoruba, at the NICO Office situated at the UK Bello Arts Theatre complex, Minna, and lectures hold on Saturdays from 10am-2pm and Sundays from 2-5pm, respectively; while participants are drawn from the 25 local government areas of Niger State, including house wives, Federal and State civil servants, market women and culture staffers.
A Russian, Mrs. Venera Talgatovna Abdullahi, who is participating with her husband and children, thanked NICO for creating the platform, which had given her the opportunity to learn Nupe and Yoruba so as to ease communication even with her neigbours and in-laws.
Speaking earlier at the occasion, the State Coordinator, Mrs. Funke Ndukwe, advised participants to make use of the unique opportunity, and equally appreciated the magnanimity of the Executive Secretary, Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma and his management team, for making the programme tuition free.
Oyewole Akanle
Corporate Affairs
NICO Minna State Office