The National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) Training School, Lagos, has welcomed a new set of students into its programmes for the 2016/2017 Academic Session, with a clarion call on students to leverage on the intense cultural training the School offers in order for them to excel as competent cultural workers at their various work places and communities.
The Director of NICO Training School, Lagos, Mrs. Brigitte Yerima, who made this call, on Monday, 13th February, 2017, during the Orientation/Induction ceremony of the students held at the Institute’s Training School complex, National Theatre Annex, Iganmu-Lagos, advised the students to cherish and exploit the high proficiency value of the School more than academic conferment or awards.
On behalf of the Executive Secretary of the Institute, Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, Mrs. Yerima welcomed the new intakes to the new academic calendar year, with the promise of a fun-filled time for students willing and ready to study with zeal, enthusiasm and excitement in the 2016/2017 Academic Session; adding that, the orientation ceremony was designed to enable them acclimatize to the Training School, its hostel, Lagos, and its environs.
Speaking on how students can achieve success, the Director of NICO Lagos Liaison Office, Mr. Louis Eriomala, opined that every student of the Training School must begin from day one to aim for good grades and embrace their academic engagements with an open mind, and admonished them to know the where, what and why of their studies.
The Head of the Academic Unit, Miss Oby Nnaka, who was represented by Mr. Olayiwola Nurudeen, advised students to abide by the rules and regulations governing the conduct of students, as contained in the Code of Conduct for NICO Students, stressing that students must be punctual to lectures, avoid absenteeism, meet deadlines for class assignments, and abhor exam malpractices.
On her part, the Head of Administration Unit, Miss Josephine Salami, warned the students to dress properly as cultural officers, putting on indigenous fabrics to class and abide by the NICO Dress Code, informing that the Code requires NICO workers and students to adorn Nigerian dresses to work every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, as well as to all official programmes.
She also stated that permission must be sought by students before they can be out school, disclosing that, most importantly, disciplinary actions will against any student for any misconduct.
The amiable and soft spoken Head, Students Affairs Unit, Miss Blessing Inyang, who also lectures in the School, posited that the task ahead of fresh NICO students was surmountable, depending on their commitment and determination to solve challenges.
She advised the students to be considerate of others, especially in the hostel, where cooperation is mostly needed for them to live together, as hostel mates, adding that any rancour or misunderstanding that is not nibbled in the bud could snowball into a disturbance that could affect the academic performance of the students involved.
One of the interesting highlights of the Orientation/Induction witnessed by students was an engaging slideshow of the history/activities of NICO Training School, Lagos, which not only depicted an array of seasoned cultural administrators/professionals, as lecturers, but showcased Alumni, who are notable public figures, especially in the entertainment industry, such as Sam Uche Ayamele (Nollywood actor), Eki Eboigbe (former NANTAP President, Lagos Chapter).
Questions asked by two of the new students, Mr. Francis Onwumah from Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC) and Mr. Abiodun Olushola from National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), were satisfactorily answered by the Director, NICO Training School, Mrs. Brigitte Yerima, before the programme was rounded up with a short visit to the National Gallery of Art (NGA) and National Theatre, Iganmu-Lagos.
The National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) Training School offers courses leading to the award of Diploma, Advanced Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma in Cultural Administration, in pursuit of its mandate to build capacity in Nigeria’s culture sector; and from CBAAC and NCAC workers, other workers from National Theatre and NICO have also enrolled for the 2016/2017 Academic Session.
Corporate Affairs Unit
NICO Training School
Lagos