Participants of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) organized Nigerian Indigenous Language Programme (NILP) in the South-South Zonal Office of the Institute have applauded NICO for organizing such an educative and important learning exercise.
The spokesperson for the participants, Mrs. Paul Charles Diseye, made the commendation at the closing ceremony of the just concluded 8th edition of the NILP, on Monday, 5th September, 2016, at the office complex, located at No. 51, Imgbi Road, Amarata, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
In her appreciation speech, Mrs. Diseye, from the Bayelsa State Ministry of Women Affairs, commended NICO on behalf of the participants for organizing the language programme, which had provided a veritable platform for them to learn other Nigerian languages order than their own, appealing for the Institute to extend the exercise beyond one month period to enable participants improve their mastery of the languages taught.
Earlier in his address, presented by the Director/Coordinator, NICO South-South Zonal Office, Mr. Nelson Ebi Campbell, the Executive Secretary/CEO of National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Assoc. Prof. Barclays Foubri Ayakoroma, appreciated the participants for their commendable conduct and dedication to their studies all through the one month exercise.
The ES reminded them that indigenous language is all about who we are as it is what we use in transmitting our culture from one generation to the other, adding that the programme was part of NICO’s responsibility in creating cultural direction and relationship to meet social integration, peace, unity and national development.
Prof. Ayakoroma further urged them to speak and put into practice the languages they were taught so that they can get acquainted with them.
The Coordinator of the exercise in the Zonal Office and Head, Orientation and Cultural Affairs, Gloria Ephraim, who gave the vote of thanks, also commended the participants for their maturity and good behaviour throughout the exercise, assuring them that their yearning for the extension of the programme will be communicated to the appropriate authorities in the Institute.
Certificates and examination results were presented to participants, who in turn presented songs in Nigerian indigenous languages to entertain guests at the occasion.
Participants of the programme this year included officers from the Bayelsa State Ministry of Women Affairs, Bayelsa State Council for Arts and Culture, NICO Staffers, and the general Public.
Egiobu Rex-Ogbuku, Esther Ziprekumor & Ifeoma Oputa
Corporate Affairs Unit
NICO SSZ