The National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), the apex cultural institute in Nigeria, has been called upon to organize workshops targeted at reviving our rich culture and restore as well as instil the virtues of respect, tolerance and honestly among youths.

The Principal, Government Girls College, Katsina, Hajiya Rabi Abdullahi, made the call on 9th March, 2016 during the inauguration of NICO Cultural Clubs in some selected secondary schools in Katsina State at the Conference Hall of Government Girls College, Katsina.

Hajiya Rabi, who was the chairperson on the occasion, expressed concern about the prevailing deviation by youths from our cherished cultural values, saying it was alarming considering their status as the backbone of societal growth and future leaders of our dear country.

While affirming that the programme would not have come at a more appropriate time, she commended the North-West Zonal Office of NICO for selecting her school to host the programme and assured of her continued support to NICO programmes; and she called on Members of the inaugurated clubs to optimally utilize the opportunity accorded them by fully reaping the immense benefits therein.

Earlier, the North-West Zonal Coordinator of NICO, Alhaji Ibrahim Lawal, in his welcome address, stated that the inauguration was an extension on the already existing NICO Cultural Clubs in three schools in Katsina State.

Alhaji Lawal said the alarming decadence in our culture today, which can be generally attributed to the bastardization of our core cultural values through the various instruments of so-called civilization/modernization, necessitated the establishment of the cultural clubs in schools across the country.

He asserted that through this medium, the well-focused administration of NICO’s Executive Secretary, Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma has taken up the challenge and made very commendable progress in “catching the children young,” thereby resuscitating and preserving our rich culture and developing a sense of pride and identity in our children.

While urging the club members to act as NICO Ambassadors in all places and endeavours they find themselves, Alhaji Lawal assured that NICO will stand by the clubs and nurture them to maturity, so that gradually, Nigerians will imbibe their rich cultures as veritable ways of life, for unity, peaceful coexistence and consequently national development.

He also used the occasion to highlight the activities of NICO in consonance with its mandate, which include, National Workshops, Seminars, Public Lecture Series, Conferences, Annual Round Table on Cultural Orientation, Quarterly National Media Workshop for Art Writers and Editors, Workshop on Repositioning Cultural Workers for Improved Productivity, Annual National Conference for Traditional Rulers and Local Government Chairmen in Nigeria, as well as the one-month Nigerian Indigenous Language Programme (NILP) and Weekend NILP, among others.

He added that NICO also runs a Training School in Lagos and Abuja offering Diploma, Advanced Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma in Cultural Administration, further informing the audience of the proposed Debate in Fulfulde language among secondary schools in five Local Government Areas of Katsina State, coming up in May, 2016.

The NICO Cultural Clubs inaugurated during the occasion were from Government Girls College, Katsina, St. Martins De Porres College, Katsina and Government Secondary School, Kambarawa, Katsina.

The high points of the event were cultural performances ranging from dances, songs and dramas in four indigenous languages: Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba and Fulfulde by members of the inaugurated cultural clubs from the participating schools.

The occasions was graced by the principals of participating schools – Hajia Rabi Abdullahi – Principal, Government Girls College, Katsina; Alhaji Umar Usman Suleiman – Vice-Principal, Government Secondary School, Kambarawa, Katsina; Mr. Joseph Abele – Principal, St. Martins De Porres College, Katsina; as well as Cultural Officers, Club Patrons, Staff and Students of participating schools, NICO Coordinator North-West Zone, and Members of Staff of NICO North-West Zonal Office.

Corporate Affairs

North-West Zone