In continuation of its social responsibility, contributing to the educational needs and wellbeing of the society both within and outside the country, and further giving the academic and research works of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) greater visibility, the Executive Secretary, Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, has donated some books to the School of Performing Arts Library, University of Ghana, Legon-Accra, Ghana.
Ayakoroma, who made the donation when he attended the 2014 International Conference of the African Theatre Association (AfTA), which took place at the University of Ghana, from 9th to 12th July, said he believed the publications would contribute in a modest way to the study of Nigerian drama and culture and that NICO would be willing to collaborate with the School in any way that would be mutually beneficial.
While acknowledging receipt of the books on behalf of the School, the Acting Director, Professor Kofi Agyakum, in a letter present on his behalf by Ms Ekua Ekumah, thanked Ayakoroma and promised that the literature donated will be put to good use by lecturers and students of the School.
The books donated included, Dance on his Grave (A Play), A Matter of Honour (A Play), Castles in the Air (A Play), A Chance to Survive and Other Plays, and Theatre Management in Nigeria: An Introduction, all written by Barclays Ayakoroma; as well as A Handbook on Living Human Treasures in Nigeria and Literary Perspectives on Culture, Leadership and Accountability in Nigeria, edited by Barclays Ayakoroma; Dress Culture and National Development edited by Ojo Rasaki Bakare and Barclays Ayakoroma.
Other books donated were Perspectives in Cultural Administration in Nigeria, Culture, Leadership and Accountability in Nigeria, Culture, Peace and National Security in Nigeria: The Role of Traditional Rulers and Local Government Chairman, and Culture and Socio-Economic Transformation of Local Governments in Nigeria: Setting an Agenda for Development edited by Olu Obafemi and Barclays Ayakoroma.
The African Theatre Association (AfTA) is an international non-profit society open to scholars and practitioners of African performance and theatre; its primary aim, through its annual conferences, is to be a forum for the exploration of African performance and theatre processes, and also serves as a bridge between African theatre practices and scholarship in African Diaspora, by bringing academics and theatre-makers together, initiating and leading discussions on African performance theory and practice.
Philemon Udeh
NICO HQ, Abuja