The Presidency has given the assurance that the outcome of the 2nd National Conference for Peace, Culture and National Security organised by the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) in Kaduna State will serve as a working document for government, in its bid to give traditional rulers their pride of place.
This was disclosed on Monday, 26th May, 2014 by the Executive Secretary of NICO, Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, when he paid a courtesy visit on the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, His Excellency, Ambassador Nuhu Bajoga in his office, ahead of the official opening ceremony of the conference.
The Deputy Governor, who was representing the Vice-President, His Excellency, Arc. Mohammed Namadi Sambo as Special Guest of Honour at the conference said, “Before I left Abuja for Kaduna yesterday, I was with the Vice President at the Aso Villa, Abuja, and I wish to tell you that the Vice President is looking forward to the outcome of the conference which will serve as a working document for the government to look at after the conference.”
Earlier in his address, the ES had briefed the Deputy Governor on some of the activities of NICO, saying the Institute was into orientation and sensitization programmes on cultural matters as well as training and capacity-building for culture workers; further disclosing that the National Conference for Traditional Rulers was one of the flagship programmes of the Institute, which explained the Institute’s presence in Kaduna State.
According to him, it was the belief that Traditional Rulers, as custodians of culture, were critical in national development that the Institute initiated the idea of the conference on “Culture, Peace and National Security: The Role of Traditional Rulers and Local Government Chairmen” in 2012, which has been taken up by many establishments.
He maintained that it was the realization that the programme was invaluable that the Institute felt encouraged to come up with a follow-up edition this year looking at, “Culture, Peace and National Security: The Role Of Traditional Rulers In Nigeria’s Democracy.”
His words: “You know as a politician, elections are coming. What role will traditional rulers play between the throne and politics? Should they be involved in politics? Should they carry out just advisory roles in their domains to make sure that peace reigns during the elections in 2015?”
On the entourage of the Executive Secretary were Barr. Abayomi Oyelola, mni, (Director of Administration and Human Resources), Mr. Alex Omijie (Director of Orientation and Cultural Affairs), Mrs. Regina Onouha (Asst. Director, OCA), Mrs. Franca Okoro (Chf Cultural Officer, OCA), among other support staff.
Caleb Nor
Corporate Affairs
NICO, Abuja