The National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Minna State Office has made a strategic move, a step in the right direction in the actualization of its mandate to inaugurate Cultural Clubs, as a team visited Yaro College in Suleja, Niger State to inaugurate a Club on Thursday, 11th February, 2016, at the school premises.
Speaking through Mallam Sidi Galadima, the State Coordinator, Mrs. Olufunke Ndukwe, in her opening remark, highlighted the three major perspectives of culture: Youth – they view culture as primitive and old school practice, thus, they do not have keen interest; Religion – view culture as an idolatry practice; and Entertainment – view culture as a sheer medium of enjoyment.
She said culture goes beyond these views; and enlightened the students that the propagation of cultural values touches various aspects of humanity with the major essence being making the individual society a better person.
According to the NICO Minna State Office Coordinator, the essence of establishing the Cultural Club in Yaro College is to make the students ambassadors of culture, so that they can “speak culture,” “exhibit culture,” and “demonstrate culture.”
Also speaking, Mrs. Grace Dominic Iorapuu said language is the major tool of communication; therefore, everyone must speak the mother tongue, adding that language promotes societal development and that culture cannot exist without language.
Mr. Moses Adeniyi lectured about cultural behaviours, morals and respects; while Mrs. Naomi Olorunsegun spoke about the dangers of indecent dressing.
In his response, the proprietor of the school, Mallam Mohammed Yaro urged the students to be serious and take to heart the knowledge that had been impacted in them, and appreciated the effort of the NICO team for the consideration given to Yaro College.
Mrs. Ebute Elssie, who gave the closing remark, admonished the students to adhere strictly to everything they had learnt, advising them to portray disciplined behaviours both in school and in their homes, so that their knowledge would not be limited to class work but the one that would impact on every facet of humanity.
The programme was more of an interactive event, as the students were used for practical demonstrations by the NICO team; this was just as an outline of all activities to be worked on was given to the Management of the School in order for them to run the club smoothly.
Ebute Elssie
Corporate Affairs
NICO Minna State Office