The octogenarian student of the Post Graduate Programme in Cultural Administration in National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) Training School, Lagos, Pa Alimi Olanrewaju Amodu, has described the Training School as one of the best avenues the Nigerian government can use to promote Nigerian culture.
Stating this in an interview with Nico News in Lagos, Pa Amodu also called on NICO to use every possible means of publicity to market the programme to the whole country and beyond, saying it is one of the best things that has happened to Nigeria, and that it is also a very powerful medium to sanitize Nigerians and its polity.
Emphasizing that he finds the programme very interesting, Amodu said: “I must say that this training I am receiving in Cultural Administration in Nigeria is an advanced knowledge to my first degree in Sociology in the Lagos State University (LASU). It is really interesting. It is a complete study of the society with emphasis on culture and how culture can be administered in the society. On this note, I call on the Nigerian government to use NICO Training School to promote Nigerian culture. The School is the best thing that has happened to Nigerian culture. The courses lay emphasis on what makes us African and Nigerian, in particular, in addition to how we can apply our cultural values to make the society a better one.”
Expressing his profound gratitude to the Honourable Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke for granting him the scholarship to pursue the Post Graduate Programme in Cultural Administration and the Executive Secretary, Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, for introducing him to the programme, Amodu urged the Government to ensure that the NICO Training School programme is introduced to all sectors of Nigerian economy.
His words: “I must say that all Nigerians need this programme. It affords a cultural knowledge that can educate the minds of Nigerians on the proper ways to behave. By this, various problems we complain about ranging from corruption to indiscipline will stop. The truth is that it can help boost and add value to the President Goodluck Jonathan-led administration’s Transformation Agenda.”
The 83-year old Amodu continued: “I am passionate about this Training School and the programme. I call on NICO to exhaust all means of publicity to let all Nigerians know about this programme leading to PGD in Cultural Administration. On my own, anywhere I go, I mention it to people. I also urge everybody who has done the programme and those who are currently doing it to keep telling people about this noble programme on Nigerian culture. In fact, on my own, after this Post Graduate, I will like to go ahead with Masters and also PhD, provided the opportunity is there. I once more thank the Minister.”
It will be recalled that Pa Amodu made headlines in the news when he graduated from the Lagos State University at the age of 80.
Nwagbo Pat Obi
Corporate Affairs