I know The Power of The Media- Ado Yahuza
The Executive Secretary, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Mallam Ado Muhammed Yahuza has stated that the power of the media has helped in the promotion of the activities of the Nigerian culture sector.
Speaking during a courtesy visit of the representatives of Culture Arts Tourism & Entertainment Workers’ Association (CATEWA) in his Abuja Office on Thursday, December 3, 2020 Ado Yahuza said, the media coverage given to the culture sector over the years has equally helped in National Development, adding that “I know the power of the media and I know what you can do in promoting and projecting the activities of the sector.”
Mallam Yahuza specifically expressed gratitude over the fledging support of the media to the culture sector through detailed reportage.
His words: “If any Head of Organization or Chief Executive wants to fulfil his mandate definitely he needs the media. As the ES, I believe that media is important. We are appointed to work for the people of this country and they need to see what we are doing. We can only do that through the media. That was why when I came in I had to refurbish the ICT unit .Anybody who wants to be intellectually relevant needs the media. Bottom line is that anybody that wants to succeed needs the media because no matter how hardworking you are, you will not succeed if you are not seen or heard. At our level we need to be current, we need to read newspapers and watch news”.
Yahuza assured the association that the institute would work with them and would be relating and inviting the media for its programmes. He also urged them to partner with NICO by always verifying the information about the institute before putting it out in the public domain because for him, “two heads are better than one”. Assuring that he operates an open door policy for advice and suggestions that would help the institute to succeed.
The Executive Secretary further disclosed that plans are in top gear to invite Embassies in the country to come and learn Nigerian Indigenous languages and culture in the institute because for him language is key to unlocking the door of culture. He said the training will focus on staff of foreign Affairs Ministry and Ambassadors who need to be trained on the fundamental aspects of Nigerian culture. In doing this, the training will create awareness on Nigeria’s cultural resources and heritages, hence giving it more international exposure. By 2021, the institute will reach out to the embassies, although the process may not be at once but a gradual one, Yahuza said.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation and president of the Culture Arts Tourism & Entertainment Workers’ Association (CATEWA), a reporter of the Guardian newspapers, Dr. Bridget Onochie said the visit was to congratulate him for his appointment as Executive Secretary of NICO as well as familiarize with him and to see how they can interface with the institute to project its image.
Furthermore, to discuss ways that the media association can support the aim and growth of the sector and Institute through agenda setting, media advice and to share ideas and experiences with newly appointed heads of agencies and Chief Executives in the sector.
Mrs. Onochie expressed the association’s willingness and availability to support the only cultural Institute. According to her: “the association comprises every aspect of culture both private and public sector. We are willing and available to support NICO. We need you to identify with us, if you do something without involving us, there is no way we will report your programme. Sir, you had the privilege of working with Director General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Mr. Otunmba Runsewe as the former the Director of Human Resources of NCAC under him. You know how he (Otunmba Runsewe) involves the media in the Council’s activities because he understands the power of the media. We expect you sir to leverage on that, having worked with him”.

Present at the courtesy visit were Director, Admin& Human Resources, NICO, Alhaji Ibrahim Huisseni; CATEWA, Vice Chairman and Entertainment Editor, Authority Newspapers, Mr. Frankwhite Nzeh; CATEWA Secretary and Reporter with Aljazeera, Mr.Joel Ajayi; CATEWA Public Relations Officer and Arts & Entertainment reporter, This Day Newspapers, Mr. King Akan; CATEWA member and The Sight News.com reporter, Mrs. Gift Olivia Samuel; CATEWA member and News Dot Africa Arts Reporter, Mr. Oru Leonard Oru, among others.

Njideka Dimgba
Media Unit
E S Office
Abuja