The set of students of the Post Graduate Diploma in Cultural Administration (PGDCA) programme for the 2015/2016  Academic Session, who were unavoidably absent at the main project defence held on 14th December, 2016, had theirs, 8th May, 2017, at the Conference Room of the Institute’s Headquarters, No. 23, Kigoma Street, Wuse Zone 7, Abuja.

The defence, which had in attendance the panellists, comprising Assoc. Prof. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, ably represented by the SA-ES, Mr. Law Ikay Ezeh, Dr. (Mrs.) Regina Onuoha, Alhaji Ibrahim Husseini, Mr. Michael Ekoko, Barr. Musa Kakamba, and Mr. Segun Adegbaju, also had some Academic Staff of the Training School as observers.

In her opening remarks, the Coordinator, NICO Training School, Abuja Study Centre, Dr. Regina Onuoha, while welcoming everyone, seized the opportunity to introduce the panellists and intimated the students that the exercise was neither a do or die affair nor an avenue to witch hunt anyone; but rather an opportunity for them to showcase the originality of their works.

She gave the guidelines for assessment, namely, physical appearance; scholarship and depth of knowledge in the chosen topic; ability to respond to questions and comportment; arrangement and orderly presentation of materials in the project work, including diagrams and illustrations; and appropriateness of presentation. 

On his part, the ES enjoined the students to relax and feel free to express themselves appropriately within the ten (10) minutes time frame allocated per student, adding that the members of the panel should endeavour to ask questions in the process.

The defence, which was carried out in partial fulfilment for the award of Post Graduate Diploma in Cultural Administration, had the following students: Onyinyechi Agua– “The Socio-Economic Implications of Ethnic Violence in Nigeria: A Study of Ochia-Ohaji in Ohaji-Egbema LGA of Imo State”; Angela Agbo Agbor – “The Impact of Calabar Carnival on the Morals and Values in the Lives of the Youth in Cross-Rivers State”; Hamisu Ibrahim Manu – “Impact of Tourism on Nation Building: A Study of Nwonyo Fishing Festival in Taraba State”; Shamsu Aminu Hassan – “The Roles of Traditional Rulers in Conflict Resolution: A Study of Kano Emirate Council”; Sally Funmilah Ahmed – “The Socio-Cultural Impacts of Modernization on Ilorin Emirate”; Michael Bush Mbaba – “Combating the Leadership Challenge in Nigeria: The Place of the Culture Diplomat”.

In his closing remark, the NICO Boss appreciated everyone present, stressing that the students did justice to their topics, just as he decorated Onyinyechi Agua with a muffler and cap, which were presented to her as Ambassador for Peace in Imo State by the Special Assistant to the Imo State Governor on Peace and Conflict Matters, Eng. Peter Ohagwa, when she was in the State for her field research

Speaking on behalf of his classmates (Culture Diplomats), Mr. Michael Bush appreciated the ES, Prof. Barclays Ayakoroma, the Training School Coordinator, Dr. Regina Onuoha, and the lecturers, for their support and understanding during the one year PGDCA Programme.

While declaring that the project defence was very fruitful, Dr. Onuoha advised the students to meet Mr. Oyewole Akanle for the corrections of their projects, informing them to return such corrected and bound copies on or before 22nd May, 2017, to enable the school release the Second Semester Results.

Sandra O. Kingsley-Omogiade

Senior Cultural Officer

NICO Training School

Abuja Study Centre