The Head of National Institute for Cultural Orientation, (NICO), Enugu State Office, Mr. Nnaemeka Nwajagu has, on behalf of the Executive Secretary, Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, called on Federal Government Establishments in Enugu State to set aside some days for their staffers to go to work on their traditional attires.
Nwajagu made the call on Thursday, 28th August, 2014 during the meeting of the Association of Heads of Federal Government Establishments, Enugu State Chapter, hosted by NICO Enugu State Office.
He told the August gathering that the Institute had set aside Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for its members of staff to come to work on native attires, saying that it was only proper for other federal establishments to key into the on-going Nigerian Dress Culture campaign being carried out by the Institute, to help save this and other aspects of our culture from going into extinction.
The NICO Enugu State Head also used the opportunity to brief members on the mission, vision, activities and programmes of the Institute, including the training of cultural workers at the Training School in Lagos, where Diploma and Post Graduate Diploma in Cultural Administration programmes were offered.
Other programmes enumerated by Nwajagu included the Nigerian Indigenous Language Programme (NILP), NICO Cultural Clubs in Secondary Schools, capacity building workshops, seminars, carrying research and documentation of cultural festivals/matters, and many other programmes aimed at saving our dying culture.
Earlier, he had welcomed members by presenting kola nut, according to the Igbo tradition and custom, thanking the Association for the opportunity to host the meeting, and all the establishments who had sent some staff members to participate in the on-going one-month indigenous language programme of the Institute.
Responding, the State Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Isaac Onukwube said that his establishment had already answered the call made by NICO on dress culture, as his members of staff come to work on Fridays on their traditional attires, saying, “We are already doing that; if you come to our office on Fridays, you would be wondering what is happening.”
While giving a vote of thanks, the PRO, Enugu State Command of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Mrs. Amaka Ikeanyionwu, who represented the Comptroller, thanked NICO for taking time to explain what the Institute was all about, as many people were not aware of its functions.
Ibe Michael Ogbuu
Corporate Affairs Unit