The Executive Secretary, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, who is also a visiting Associate Professor to Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), has assured that NICO was making serious efforts towards successfully hosting the 2015 Annual Conference of the Society of Nigeria Theatre Artists (SONTA).
Stating this during an interactive meeting of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) with National President of SONTA, Professor Sunday Enessi Ododo, Ayakoroma stated that NICO was not leaving any stone unturned in preparing for the conference, adding that the Institute was prepared to set a very high standard.
According to the ES: “SONTA is a reputable body of scholars and professionals of Theatre and Performing Arts in Nigeria and their conference has maintained a standard since the body came into existence over two decades ago. It is good that NICO is hosting it this year 2015. We are really making efforts in ensuring that we maintain the standard and add more dignity to it.”
Commending the SONTA National President for his quality leadership, Prof. Ayakoroma affirmed that NICO was committed towards the success of SONTA 2015 because both organisations share similar visions in terms of promoting and propagating Nigerian culture, recalling that Prof. Ododo had actually been participating and playing significant roles in NICO events.
In his remarks, Prof. Ododo commended NICO for its preparedness to make SONTA proud through its hosting of the conference, further saying that there was evidence that the LOC was working round the clock to ensuring a high standard conference for SONTA.
The SONTA National President also explained that the meeting was informed by the policy of SONTA in keeping in touch with any institution hosting the Conference, to enable the SONTA EXCO to know their level of preparedness and the likely constraints.
He however noted that with what he saw on ground, NICO was really putting things in place to make sure that SONTA 2015 will be a reference point in the history of SONTA, informing the ES that SONTA EXCO will hold further meetings with the Institute as soon as possible to chart the way forward.
Giving his vote of thanks on behalf of the ES and the LOC, the Director, Orientation and Cultural Affairs, NICO, Mr. Alex Omijie, expressed appreciation to the National President of SONTA, Prof. Sunny Ododo for the very fruitful interaction even as he restated the LOC’s commitment towards ensuring a purposeful conference of international standard.
The meeting which took place in NICO Headquarters, Abuja-FCT, had in attendance the ES, NICO, Prof. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma; SONTA President, Prof. Sunday Enessi Ododo; NICO’s Director, Finance and Accounts, Mr. Godson Ordu; Director, Orientation and Cultural Affairs, Mr. Alex Omijie; Deputy Director, Research and Documentation, Mr. Mike Ekoko; Assistant Director, Admin, Mrs. Jane Anigala; AD/Coordinator, NICO Training School, Abuja Centre, Mrs. Regina Onuoha; and Mrs. Franca Okoro of Orientation and Cultural Affairs.
Mike Ekoko
Research & Documentation Dept.