The NICO Training School, Abuja Study Centre held its orientation programme for her pioneering students on Thursday, 5th March, 2015 at the Institute’s head office Abuja. The orientation was designed to intimate students on basic requirements of the one year post graduate diploma in Cultural Administration. The programme was attended by the management led by the Executive Secretary/CEO, Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma and other Directors.

In his welcome address, the ES expressed his gratitude to God and all those who made invaluable contributions for this dream to become a reality. He said by this singular gesture, the Institute has been taken to the next level. He used the occasion to call on the students to be serious with their studies. He specifically made it clear that to staff of the Institute who are also students, that they are serving dual purpose as they will be attending to both academic and official works.

Dr. Ayakoroma maintained that in future, staff participation in the training school would be limited by the time more external candidates start participating in the programme, just like what is currently going on at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, (NIPSS) Kuru, near Jos. When that happens, it would be difficult to accommodate all the students in Abuja and Lagos and that is why he is hoping that the Owerri Campus would come on board soon.

He advised the students to be disciplined and be punctual to their studies. He emphasised that what is to be taught in Abuja would be the same with Lagos as the syllabus is the same though the nature of impacting knowledge, the setting and marking of scripts may differ. Finally, he informed the students that an undertaking would be signed by them promising to be of good conduct in the course of their studies.

In the course of the programme, the Director of Admin/Human Resources, Barr. Abayomi Oyelola, mni; gave a talk on ‘Ethics and Discipline’ where he advised students on the modus operandi of the school. He particularly dwelt on discipline and mutual respect from both students and lecturers. He stressed that a good student should be found worthy both in character and learning as one should not be substituted for the other especially the former.

While going through the basic requirements for the programme in the school, the Coordinator of the Abuja Study Centre, Mrs. Regina Onuoha rolled out basic information on the school which includes students’ registration/collection of admission letter, attendance to lecture, continuous assessment, field school, project, information desk/notice board, punctuality/discipline etc.

The directors of Research & Documentation and Orientation/Cultural Affairs, Mr. Bamidele Olusa and Mr. Alex Omijie added their voices by congratulating the students and advising them to be dedicated to their studies and embrace personal discipline.

The high point of the occasion was the induction of students by the Director of Admin & Human Resources, Barr. Abayomi Oyelola, mni.

Philemon Udeh
Corporate Affairs/Marketing
NICO Training School Study Centre
Abuja