The South-West Zonal Coordinator of National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Akure, Ondo State, Mr. James Imohiosen, had on Thursday, 2nd of February, 2016, appointed liaison officers, who will henceforth serve as links between the Zonal Office and selected organizations, to maximally achieve the mandate of NICO in the zone.

The officers appointed were Mrs. Adesuwa Eze (Women and Youth), Mrs. Ogechi Nwokorie and Mrs. Flora Sodje (Schools), Mr. Dickson Idonije (Ministry of Culture), Mr. Ogaga Anakpoha (Media), Mr. Muhammad Babangida (Military and Para-Military), and Messrs. Eustace Nwokorie and Peter Babatunde Fayomi (Traditional Rulers); and their inauguration took place at the first general meeting of the zone for Year 2017, which was held at the office premises.

Speaking at the occasion, the Zonal Head stated that their wealth of experience and professionalism were the bases of their selection and therefore charged them to be alive to their responsibilities, and be dedicated and selfless in the new tasks before them.

Earlier in his speech, Mr. Imohiosen congratulated members of staff for the success recorded during the 2016 edition of the one-month long vacation Nigerian Indigenous Language Programme (NILP), as well as the Weekend Edition of the language programme, which recorded the highest number of participants since inception.

He therefore solicited their support towards achieving a greater success during the 2017 edition of World Day for Cultural Diversity (WDCD) in May and Nigerian Indigenous Language Programme (NILP) in August.

The Zonal Head however expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of discipline being exhibited by some members of staff and condemned acts of noise-making, lateness, absenteeism and disrespect for superior officers, just as he admonished staffers to adhere strictly to the Institute’s dress code and avoid indecent dressing.

While congratulating officers that were newly promoted, Imohiosen encouraged those who were not promoted not to allow that to diminish their morale but that they should be studious, be focused and more determined as they re-write the promotion examination this year.

Reacting to general happenings in the Institute, Mr. Babatunde Fayomi appealed to the Zonal Head to use his good offices to notify Management that most of the office furniture were in a dilapidated state and therefore not conducive, thus affecting the productivity of staffers.

On his part, Mr. Peter Daramola requested for new sets of furniture and ICT equipment for the smooth running of the office; while Mr. Dickson Idonije sought for the implementation of proposals sent to the Head Office as this will spur such officers to do more.

Responding to the above, Mr. Imohiosen said that he will treat the issues accordingly, assuring that the ones under his purview will be looked into; while those that need the attention of Management will be forwarded to the Head Office.

Mustapha Alfanla
Corporate Affairs
NICO SWZ