The Honourable Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed on Friday, March 2, 2018, inaugurated members of Boards of 13 parastatals under the ministry with a charge for members to see themselves as part of government and use the opportunity to contribute their quota to national development.
Inaugurating the Boards, Lai Mohammed who commended the members for their continued support to the present administration, said their perseverance and loyalty to President Muhammadu Buhari reflect their spirit of patriotism and measure of love and confidence they have for Mr. President and his administration.
In his words “the support you gave us, not just before and during elections, but also your perseverance and loyalty that you have exhibited to this government is as a result of your spirit of patriotism and measure of love and confidence you have for Mr. President”.
Continuing, he said, “many of you here deserve more than what you are getting and on my part; I am not just celebrating you, but also thanking you. There is no higher service in terms of career than public service which creates the chance for you to make a difference in people’s lives and growth of the nation so you must see yourselves as part of government and contribute your quota to the success of this administration”.
The Minister emphasized that the role of the Boards is to formulate policies and not to engage in the day to day running of the organisation. He urged them to maintain cordial relationships with the Chief Executive’s of the agencies as well as play roles that will help them in delivering on their mandates effectively
On her part, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Deaconess Grace Isu Gekpe said their enlistment into the various agencies is a call to serve in ways that will foster the growth and development of the various parastatals and the ministry at large.
She admonished the Board members to help in achieving the mandate of the Ministry which she said is the management of the image and reputation of government of Nigeria, and promotion of the culture of the people through a dynamic public information system that provides answers to the citizens and the global community on credible and timely information about Nigeria.
The Permanent Secretary informed that the ministry is endowed with sectors that have enormous potentials and it is the collective responsibility of all to seek ways of maximizing the opportunities that, if fully harnessed, can engender economic benefits to the nation.
The chairmen of the Boards inaugurated are: Mallam Wada Maida (News Agency of Nigeria); Ibrahim Buba (Voice of Nigeria); Engr. Abubakar Gambo Umar (Nigerian Film Corporation); Mallam Ikira Iliyasu Bilbis (Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation); Chief Tunde Kilani (Nigerian Film & Video Censors Board); Alhaji Sabo Nanono (Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation); Mamman Da Umma Dambo (National Commission for Museum & Monuments); Ambassador Usman Azores Sulaiman (National Gallery of Arts); Hon. Abom Tony Esu (Centre for Black &African Arts & Civilization (CBAAC); Barrister Emeka Ibe (National Council for Arts & Culture); Barrister Ibrahim Zalani (National Troupe/Theatre); Yussufu Shittu Galambi (National Institute for Cultural Orientation); and Bolaji Khalil (National Orientation Agency).
The Acting Executive Secretary of NICO, Mr. Louis Eriomala, was accompanied by Mr. Mike Ekoko, Acting Director, Research and Documentation; Mr. Law Ezeh, (Deputy Director/SA-Ag. ES; and Barrister Musa Kakamba, Head of Legal Services among other support staff in the office of the Executive Secretary.
Caleb Nor
Media Assistant to Ag. ES
NICO HQ
Abuja-FCT