As part of efforts in fulfilling the sensitization mandate of the Institute, members of staff of National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Lagos Liaison office, paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman of Sheraton Hotels, Ikeja, Lagos, Olorungun Goodie Ibru and his wife, Chief (Mrs) Emuobo O. Ibru, the Proprietress of Urhobo Language School, Lagos.
Goodie Ibru said he was delighted to receive NICO officials and opined that the collaboration with Urhobo language school will afford them the opportunity to project and promote the Urhobo culture.
While calling on parents to teach their children how to speak their indigenous languages as a means of identification, Ibru also pledged his continued support towards the programmes and activities of the Institute, saying “We in the private sector are interested in government activities as far as government provides a level playing ground by creating ideas for the private sectors to run with.
Ibru who commended NICO for emphasizing the importance of culture through food, clothing and most importantly, language, maintained that language is part of man’s culture and there is need for every Nigerian to speak at least two indigenous languages to serve as a means of communication.
Similarly speaking, Chief (Mrs) Ibru, in her remarks, expressed appreciation for the visit and thanked the Institute for creating such an enabling environment for people to learn different Nigerian indigenous languages, saying she was ready to contribute more to the Indigenous Language Programme (NILP) initiative of the Institute as a way of revitalizing our cultural values.
Earlier on, Lawal who briefed the Ibru family on the aims and objectives of some of the Institute’s programmes like the Nigerian Indigenous Language Programme (NILP), National Workshop on Repositioning Cultural Workers for Improved Productivity, Children’s Cultural Extravaganza, Cultural Clubs in Schools, NICO Training School offering PGD and Diploma in Cultural Administration among others. He expressed optimism that such partnership will contribute significantly to the development of the culture sector as well as the socio-economic development of the country. In his words “We therefore look forward to your continued cooperation and collaboration in subsequent events”.
Highlight of the visit was the presentation of letters of appreciation to the Ibru family by the Head, Lagos Liaison office, Alhaji Ibrahim Lawal.
On NICO delegation were Oparavero Victoria, Head Admin and Human Resources; Patricia Orok, Chief Administrative Officer; Nwaka Jane, Head Research and Documentation; Offor Nkemdilim, Head Corporate Affairs Unit and other members of staff.
Reported by
Corporate Affairs Unit, Lagos.