A former Secretary to Bayelsa State Government, Professor Steve Azaiki, has commended Associate Professor Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, for distinguishing himself as Executive Secretary/CEO, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), saying his visionary leadership at the apex cultural training institute in the country has made the Institute to stand out among other Parastatals of government.
Azaiki gave this commendation while delivering a goodwill message at the recent quarterly public lecture, organised by the Institute in Abuja, where the Vice Chancellor, Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), Professor Muhammad Akaro Mainoma, delivered a lecture on the theme: “Culture, Accountability and National Development”.
According to him, Ayakoroma is a man whose leadership style and organisational ability in all public positions he has held both in the past and present, will continue to endear him to Nigerians because he always dedicates his time, energy and resources towards turning around the fortunes of such an organisation.
His words: “I am proud to say I have been privileged to have worked directly with Ayakoroma and for the few years I worked with him, I can say he is one of the few people in Nigeria that makes me proud to be a Nigerian. This man dedicated his time, energy and resources during the entire period he was the Executive Director, Bayelsa State Council for Arts and Culture, to build a vibrant and very distinguished cultural centre; and today, he is one of our greatest prides in this country.
“I respect him because in spite of the many duties and demands of his then office and even now as Executive Secretary of NICO, he has continued to give his best as an academic, especially in the area of publishing”, he said.
While commending the Federal Government for appointing him as Chief Executive Officer of NICO, Prof. Azaiki said his appointment was indeed a square peg in a square hole, stressing that it is the reason why for the period he has held sway in NICO, as Executive Secretary, the Institute has distinguished itself as one of the few Parastatals of government in Nigeria that is incorruptible, upstanding, up and going.
He therefore expressed confidence that with the level Ayakoroma has built the Institute, there is no doubt that NICO is indeed equipped to play leading roles when it comes to policy formulations that can affect the country in the areas of culture and tradition.
Caleb Nor
Media Assistant to ES
NICO HQ, Abuja-FCT