The new Executive Secretary/CEO of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Mr. Ado Mohammed Yahuza has assured Management and Staff that he will work with everybody to ensure the Institute sustain the achievements recorded over the past years.

Yahuza who made this known at the Institute’s Head Office in Abuja on Tuesday, September 1, 2020 upon resumption of office, said he is a team worker and not a Chief Executive who knows it all, hence the need to work together to leave a legacy for the Institute.

His words “I believe my coming to NICO is to add value to whatever has been done here before. By the grace of God and with my little experience as well as your support, we can move the Institute forward. Apart from programmes for the Institute, the welfare of staff remains an integral part of my policy so just give us the needed cooperation and I can assure you that we will work together”.

Yahuza who commended the outgoing Director, Overseeing the Office of the Executive Secretary, Mrs. Bridgette Yerima for her leadership style, described her as not just a sister but a mother to him. He further expressed commitment to also work closely with trade unions in the Institute, saying no sensitive CEO will neglect unions but rather carry them along to ensure peace and harmony in the work place.

Earlier in her remark, Mrs. Yerima expressed pleasure to welcome the new ES and assured him of maximum support from Management and Staff, saying “it is our job to assist you to succeed and all hands must be on deck by all staff to ensure that”.

Directors at the Institute took their turns to give goodwill messages, pledging their loyalty and commitment to the new ES. Mr. Alex Omijie who is Director, Orientation & Cultural Affairs department, said the Institute has a mandate and as the new CEO, it is the responsibility of staff to work with him to ensure no stone is left unturned towards achieving that mandate.

Mr. Ibrahim Hussaini (Director, Administration and Human Resources) and Mr. Michael Ekoko (Director, Research and Documentation) also pledged their allegiance and expressed their readiness to work with the new ES, saying NICO over the years has been known to have a peaceful working environment which they both promised to ensure that the same gesture is accorded to him towards achieving a common goal.

While the Head of Finance and Accounts, Mr. Herbert Ogbe prayed that the same God who made his appointment possible will see him through to complete his first tenure and possibly grant him a second one, Mr. Uremu Okorodudu who is the Internal Auditor expressed delight to have him on board and assured of his maximum support.

Mr. James Adediran who is Chairman, Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE) said the union will continue to work together with Management to ensure there is peace, stressing that same was accorded to Mrs. Yerima whom he described as a mother who gave staff the needed attention during the period she was in charge of the office of the ES.

The new ES was accompanied by a large number of staff from the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) amongst whom are Mrs. Adline Fompun (Deputy Director, Human Resources) and Mr. Sam Agbi (Director, Performing Arts). Mrs. Fompun said left for them at the Council, Mr. Yahuza would not have left them because of the cordial relationship they enjoyed while working with him. According to her, he never treated them like a boss but as a father who believes in due diligence.

Mr. Sam Agbi said with the appointment of Yahuza as ES, NICO, he is confident that the Institute is in safe hands, saying NICO and NCAC are one family. His words “NICO is in safe hands. NCAC is behind the success of this establishment and we are ready to work together to achieve this. When we heard of his appointment, we were happy because he was coming to a better place. He is frank in his contributions to any issue so just give him your support and I can assure you that you will get a lot from him”, he said.

Caleb Nor & Njideka Dimgba
Media Assistant(s) to ES
NICO, Abuja