Participants at the 7th edition of the Nigerian Indigenous Language Programme (NILP) held by the North-Central Zonal Office of National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), which came to a close on Tuesday, 30th August, 2016, have expressed satisfaction with its content and conduct.

Speaking on behalf of the participants, a Deputy Director in the Kwara State Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, Mr. Joseph Kayode Alabi, said all the participants were happy that they took part in the programme, which began on Monday, 1st August, 2016.

He used the opportunity to thank the Management of National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) for the initiative and called for its sustenance, which, he said, will help in cementing bonds of friendship among different ethnic groups in the country.

In his address, NICO’s Executive Secretary, Professor Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, noted that the high number of external participants recorded this year proved the relevance of the Nigerian Indigenous Language Programme (NILP), as there were twenty four external participants with four staff members, making a total number of twenty eight.

In the address, which was read by the Zonal Coordinator, NICO North-Central, Mr. Ohi Ojo, Ayakoroma commended the efforts of the resource persons, Samuel Hedima and Olaniyi Aweda, who taught Hausa and Yoruba, respectively, and also admonished the participants to avail themselves of every opportunity to speak the languages they learnt as languages need constant practice.

The ES also used the opportunity to thank some organisations, namely, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Kwara State Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, and Promasedor Company Ltd, for nominating participants to the programme.

Furthermore, he thanked the Kwara State Police Officers’ Mess, as well as self-sponsored participants and members of staff, who donated items used to serve refreshment daily throughout the duration of the programme.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Head, Orientation and Cultural Affairs Unit, Levi Aladeitan, said attendance of lectures by participants was seriously taken into consideration before deciding on who qualified for the award of certificates, disclosing that two tests were conducted during the programme to ascertain their level of assimilation and understanding.

Highlights of the closing ceremony included presentation of certificates to participants, just as prizes were also given to the best student: Ahmed Bashir (in Hausa) and Habibat Audu (in Yoruba); both recipients are from FRSC.

The audience were entertained with presentation in both languages, Hausa and Yoruba, by the participants before the programme came to a close with vote of thanks given by the Head of Finance and Accounts, Toyin Bamidele.

Yusuf Kayode Ismail

Corporate Affairs/ICT Unit

NICO North-Central Zone, Ilorin