The Traditional Ruler of Aji Isudu Kingdom and Grand Patron of Enugu State Traditional Ruler Council, His Royal Majesty Igwe Dr. Simon Osisi Itodo, has approved the request of National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Enugu State Office, for partnership.
Igwe Itodo gave the nod when he spoke on behalf of traditional rulers from Enugu North Senatorial District of the State, promising that the royal fathers were willing to contribute to the realization of NICO’s mandate in the area.
The traditional ruler drew the attention of all the Royal Fathers from different Local Government Areas that make up the zone to the importance of NICO programmes, saying that as the custodians of culture, it was a collective responsibility to ensure that the cultures of the people are promoted.
On his part, the Chairman of the Enugu North Senatorial Council of Traditional Rulers and the Igwe of Obige Obukpa community in Nsukka LGA, His Royal Highness Igwe Dr. Raphael Ezeh, described NICO, under the leadership of Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, as one of the best things that had happened in the culture sector.
He said to achieve appreciable cultural revival in the present generation, it was pertinent for all to avail themselves of the opportunity to participate in the Nigerian Indigenous Language Programme (NILP) organised in the zone, so that children will be well equipped with basic norms and values of the people, as well as learning of languages other than their native ones as this cannot be quantified in monetary terms.
Earlier in his brief, the State Head, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Mr. Nnaemeka Nwajagu commended the traditional rulers for their support, saying that he will always solicit their advice whenever the need arose.
The NICO Enugu boss also used the medium to enlighten the traditional rulers on the Institute’s programmes and enjoined them to mobilize their subjects for the language programme, slated to commence on the 18th August, 2014 at Day Secondary School, Independence Layout, Enugu.
He also pleaded with the traditional rulers to notify the Institute on the dates of the cultural festivals in their domains for necessary research and documentation according to UNESCO recommendations, while also promising to involve the traditional rulers in future programmes of the Institute.
Kingsley Ngoka
Corporate Affairs
NICO Enugu State Office