The Zonal Coordinator, NICO North-Central Zone in Ilorin, Kwara State, Mr. Ohi Ojo, on Thursday, 7th January, 2016, paid courtesy visits to some key establishments in the culture sector in Ilorin, Kwara State, where he also solicited their cooperation and sponsorship of candidates for the 2015/2016 academic session of NICO Training School in Lagos and the Abuja Study Centre, beginning 8th February, 2016.
The first port of call was the Kwara State Ministry of Social Development, Culture and Tourism, where the NICO team was received by the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Abdulganiyu Usman Mustapha, on behalf of the Honourable Commissioner, Hajia Iyabo Joolade, where the Perm. Sec. promised to do all they could to sponsor candidates for the programmes.
Other top officials of the Ministry that met the NICO team were Alhaji Hassan Afodun (Director, Personnel, Finance and Supply), Mallam Basiru Jimoh (Assistant Chief Planning Officer), Mrs. Ajoke R. Ajayi (Director Human Resources and Training), and Mrs. Modupeola Taibat Mustapha (Director of Culture).
At the Kwara State Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, the Permanent Secretary, Elder Ayobola Samuel, who received the team on behalf of the Honourable Commissioner, Alhaji Bolakale Nuhu, disclosed that the letter of request earlier sent by NICO to their office was receiving attention, as a memo for request to sponsor candidates had been sent to the Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, for approval.
The Permanent Secretary had with him Elder Usman I. Udagi (Director, Personnel, Finance and Supply) and Hajia Aisha Mohammed (Director of Youth Development) to receive the NICO team.
The final port of call was the Kwara State Council for Arts and Culture, where the NICO team was received by the Executive Director, Mr. Adebisi A. Oyewole, who announced that he had already intimated his officers on the need for self-development and felt the NICO Training School programme was indeed the best place for practitioners in the culture sector to learn relevant courses and update themselves professionally.
Mr. Oyewole, who promised to do all he can to send candidates for the NICO Training School programmes, was with other top management officers of the Arts Council, namely, Alhaji O. Kudus (Secretary), Mr. Abubakar A. Tajudeen (HOD Finance and Accounts), Mrs. Qudirat Atinuke Sulyman (HOD Cultural Education), Mrs. Shade Titiloye (Staff Officer), and Mrs. Dupe Adegboyega (HOD Research & Documentation).
The NICO Zonal Coordinator, Mr. Ohi Ojo, who was later conducted round the gallery, was accompanied by Mr. Tony Olasinde (Head, Admin. & Human Resources), Mr. Samuel Hedima (Head, Corporate Affairs/ICT), and Mrs. Olufemi Ilesanmi (Research & Documentation).
Samuel Hedima
Corporate Affairs/ICT
NICO North-Central Zone