The Executive Secretary, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, has said any developing nation that aspires to function efficiently must imbibe the culture of accountability to avoid social instability and gross underdevelopment.
He said this in his welcome address during the Institute’s Quarterly Public Lecture, which took place, Thursday, 5th October, 2017, at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Conference Centre on the theme: “Culture, Accountability and National Development”, delivered by the Vice Chancellor, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Professor Muhammad Akaro Mainoma.
According to Ayakoroma, who is also a Visiting Associate Professor at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, accountability does not only ensure the availability of information to measure the performance of leaders but also guards against possible abuse of power and corruption.
His words: “It is common knowledge that culture and accountability are crucial for the efficient functioning of developing economies. Accountability ensures that information is available to measure the performance of our leaders, to guard against possible abuse of power and corruption. The absence of the culture and accountability means lack of trust between government and the governed, which can breed social instability and gross underdevelopment”.
Commenting on the choice of the Vice Chancellor, Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), Professor Muhammad Akaro Mainoma, as guest lecturer, the NICO Boss said the Institute was pleased to have such an erudite scholar presenting the lecture, stressing that it was indeed an opportunity to draw from his wealth of experience as a professional accountant, an academic and seasoned university administrator.
He further expressed confidence that the choice of Professor Mainoma will build public and sectorial confidence, regarding the NICO’s bond with NSUK through the affiliation of its diploma, advanced diploma and postgraduate diploma programmes in cultural administration, just as it will also sustain the “Excellence in Execution” vision of “The Barclays Force” in the leadership of the Institute.
Ayakoroma, who gave thanks to God, while expressing deep appreciation to the Management of the Nasarawa State University for the approval of affiliation of NICO Training School programmes to the Department of Theatre & Cultural Studies of the University, said the choice of NSUK was based on the fact that it is the only University in Nigeria offering a degree programme in Theatre and Cultural Studies now.
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“To the glory of God, after about five years of serious reviews and standard setting, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, under the able leadership of Professor Muhammad Akaro Mainoma, our distinguished guest lecturer today, has approved the affiliation of NICO Training School programmes to the Department of Theatre & Cultural Studies of the University.
“This affiliation is a landmark achievement in the culture sector in Nigeria because of its great potentials. As a point of fact, we can say that the prospects are now very bright for NICO Training School. For instance, graduates of the Post Graduate Diploma in Cultural Administration (PGDCA) programme can now be admitted for the master’s in Cultural Policy and Management programme and eventually proceed to the doctorate programme. There is no doubt that this will enhance the capacity and manpower development of the culture sector”, he said.
The Quarterly Public Lecture Series remains one of NICO’s key programmes, which have continued to attract notable personalities to discuss various aspects of culture to bring the sector to the fore in national development; it was conceptualised as a veritable and strategic platform, where the nation can benefit immensely from the intellectual capacity and wealth of experience of eminent scholars, renowned cultural administrators, top government functionaries, technocrats and critical stake holders.
Dignitaries present at the public lecture were the Chairman, House Committee on Culture and Tourism, Hon. Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama; Honourable Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who was represented by Mr. Augustus Ajibola; Permanent Secretary, Dcns Grace Gekpe, represented by the Deputy Director, Entertainment and Creative Services, Mr. Makan Sallau; the Ona of Abaji and Chairman, FCT Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji (Dr.) Adamu Baba Yunusa, represented by Barr. Musa Salihu; just as Principal Officers and Members of Senate of Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK) were all in attendance.
Caleb Nor
Media Assistant to ES
NICO HQ
Abuja-FCT