The Coordinator, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) Training School, Abuja Study Centre, Dr. Regina Onuoha has tasked the pioneer intakes of the Advanced Diploma in Cultural Administration (ADCA) in the Study Centre to take the programme serious and remain committed and punctual, stressing that, they will find the programme very rewarding in due course.

Congratulating the intakes at an orientation exercise organized for them at the Head Office of NICO, located at No. 23, Kigoma Street, Wuse Zone 7, Abuja-FCT, Onuoha assured that the Institute will do everything possible to assist them, saying the programme was designed, in a way, to help them since they were drawn from different disciplines, as well as offer them the opportunity to learn new things about Nigerian culture.

Also lending his voice, the Acting Director, Administration and Human Resources, Alhaji Ibrahim Husseini, advised the students on ethics and discipline, hinging his admonition on the Public Service Rules (PSR), since the programme is meant for workers with work experience and are already attuned with the PSR, stressing the need for them to attend lectures regularly as a core requirement.

He stressed that in any area the students may be needing help, they should not hesitate to let Management know, as they will always be willing to render the necessary assistance.

With regard to a clarification sought by one of the intakes, Mr. Clement Fabuyi on the mode of operation during the course, the Coordinator of the Study Centre explained that students will submit project topics, which will be approved, for them to embark on such research works as part of the requirements in partial fulfilment of the award of the Advanced Diploma in Cultural Administration (ADCA).

She also spoke on the issue of discipline, saying as civil servants, the PSR is like a Bible that guides workers’ conducts and it will not be any different during their one year stay in the school.

Her words: “You know the right thing to do. There is misconduct and there is also punishment for misconduct and we expect you to put up a good conduct, respect yourself, your lecturers, fellow students, Management and Staff of NICO. We don’t expect you to come here and fight, or quarrel among yourselves; you are expected to comport yourselves and face what you have come here to do and you will be happy with yourself; but if you give us cause to discipline you, we will not fail to do that.”

In a vote of thanks on behalf of the intakes, Mr. Clement Fabuyi expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Management of NICO for the opportunity given them to pioneer the ADCA programme in Abuja, with a promise that they will do everything possible to cooperate with the facilitators of the school to ensure the aim is not defeated.

Caleb Nor & Sandra Omogiade

Corporate Affairs Unit & NTS

Abuja