The Conference of Music Educators in Nigeria (COMEN) has honoured the Executive Secretary of National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Dr. Barolays Foubiri Ayakoroma, for his sterling contribution to the development of music education in Nigeria.
The award was presented to Dr. Ayakoroma on the occasion of the 11th annual Conference of Music Educators in Nigeria (COMEN) held at the College Auditorium of the Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, Owerri, Imo State, which is the first to be held in the South–East geo–political zone of the country.
The Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma in his remarks, commended the executive committee of COMEN for keeping Faith with the hosting of this conference; and for the choice of the theme “Indigenous Knowledge System and music education in Nigeria”, which is designed to advance the course of music art education in Nigeria.
Dr. Ayakoroma pointed out that the bane of Nigeria’s development has been utter neglect of the indigenous knowledge system and enthusiastic acceptance of Western or modern knowledge system occasioned by colonialism, modernity and globalization, adding that modern science and technology has recorded remarkable achievements in human societies but has not been able to provide solution to development challenges confronting developing countries such as Nigeria in the global South because of its disconnection from culture.
He charged the conference to deliberate extensively in order to be able to profer lasting solution which will engender the most appropriate method (indigenous knowledge system, Western/modern knowledge system or an integration of both) suitable for the entrancement of music education in Nigeria.
According to Dr. Ayakoroma, the conference should critically assess the national policy on education (NPE) and the cultural policy of Nigeria (CPN) in order to determine whether not the policies made provisions for a gratifying music education in Nigeria, and make necessary recommendation for policy review.
In her address, the provostof the college, Dr. Blessing Ijioma, who was represented by the deputy provost, Chief Sir B.C. Maduka, commended COMEN for initiating the conference and thanked Dr. Ayakoroma for answering the clarion call.
The award, which is the latest of the numerous awards received by Dr. Ayakoroma since assumption of office in 2009,recording landmark achievements through his versatility and diversifying efforts through partnership with relevant bodies and stakeholders in the culture sector aimed at promoting and harnessing culture for national development.
The conference attracted dignitaries and music education exponents from different institutions of higher learning across the country notable among them are: Dr. Mrs. Patience Oguoma, Dean,School of Arts,AIFCE, Owerri, Professor Dan Agu, immediate past Dean, Faculty of Arts Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; Professor Onyee N. Nwanpa, Dean,Faculty of Arts, University of PortHarcourt, and others too Numerous to mention.
Reprepients of the awards of excellence cut across various institutions of higher learning, including the Provost of the College, Dr. (Mrs.) B.C. Ijioma, ES NICO, Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, Dame Chinwe Kalu Ogba ofthehit songfame, Enebebe ejegholu.
Other recipients are Dr. Alvan-Ikoku O. Nwamara of the Department of Music, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; Professor Dan Agu, the keynote presenter and immediate past Dean, Faculty of Arts, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; Professor Onyee N. Nwankpa, the lead paper presenter and Dean, Faculty of Arts, University of Port Harcourt, and others.
The Executive Secretary of National institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Dr. Barclays Foubiric Ayakoroma graced the occasion in company of the Director of Finance and Accounts, Mr. Godson Ordu and some staff of the South-East zonal office of the Institute.
Humphery C. Ejiogu
Corporate Affairs
NICO, South-East
Owerri