All is set for the 2-day Annual Round Table on Cultural Orientation (ARTCO), organized by National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, at Arewa House, Kaduna, with the theme, “Nigerian Indigenous Language Newspapers and National Development”.

The opening ceremony, which is scheduled to take place on Monday, 15th May, 2017, at 11am prompt, will have the Honourable Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, as Chief Host; and the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, His Excellency, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, as Special Guest of Honour.

A press release signed by Caleb Nor on behalf of the Executive Secretary, Assoc. Prof. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, stated that the Annual Round Table will be under the chairmanship of Distinguished Senator Matthew Urhoghide, Chairman, Senate Committee on Culture and Tourism; while the Chairman/Publisher of Leadership Newspaper, Sam Nda-Isaiah is expected as Keynote Speaker; and the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris, as the Royal Father.

The Lead Paper Presenter will be Mallam Mannir Dan-Ali, CEO/Editor-in-Chief, Daily Trust Limited; while Professor Olu Obafemi of the University of Ilorin will be the Moderator.

The Annual Round Table is designed to build capacity for publishers, editors and art correspondents of indigenous language newspapers, keep them abreast of contemporary realities in the sector, and enhance their professional skills and competence for effective service delivery.

The event also promises to, among other things, underscore the relevance of indigenous language newspapers to national development; appreciate the role of indigenous newspapers in the promotion of our cultural heritage; emphasize its importance as tool for information dissemination and grassroots mobilization as well as advocate for a synergy between government and indigenous language newspapers in nation building.

Caleb Nor
Media Assistant to ES
NICO HQ, Abuja