The on-going Weekend Edition of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) Nigerian Indigenous Language Programme (NILP) taking place across all zonal and state offices of the Institute, as well as its headquarters in Abuja, has continued to generate interest among several stakeholders, just as the General Manager, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Ilorin, Hajiya Hauwa Kulu Kande Abdullahi, joined other participants at the North-Central Zonal Office in Ilorin to learn Yoruba language.
The GM, who commended the efforts of the Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma-led administration of the Institute, for the initiative, described the NICO Weekend NILP, as a rare opportunity that should be embraced by all, irrespective of gender, age, status or occupation; and therefore encouraged the Institute to continue the good work of enhancing the mutual trust and peaceful coexistence that has been existing among Nigerians in its quest for repositioning indigenous languages, as an element of culture, to serve as a veritable tool for sustainable development in Nigeria.
Earlier, while welcoming the GM and other participants, the Zonal Coordinator NICO North-Central Zone, Ilorin, Mr. Ohi Ojo, disclosed that the programme was designed to encourage Nigerians, especially public servants who work in areas different from their states of origin, to learn additional languages of their host communities.
This, he said, will go a long way in breeding peace, tolerance and harmonious relationship among public officers, which will in turn be reflected in their day to day official activities; adding that, the languages of study are Hausa, Yoruba and Efik, while efforts are on to include Igbo language.
The Weekend Language Programme, which holds on Fridays and Saturdays in the zonal office premises at No. 20, Cemetery Road, off Civil Service Road, GRA, Ilorin, Kwara State, started formally on Friday, 27th October, 2017, and will end on 20th January, 2018.
Ahmed Mohammed
Corporate Affairs
NICO North Central Zone