As part of its mandate to promote Nigerian cultural heritage and values, the National Institutes for Cultural Orientation ( NICO) South South Zonal Office located at the Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Federal Secretariat complex Yenagoa Bayelsa state organized a two- day NICO National children’s cultural fiesta with the theme: Culture, Creativity and the Nigerian Youth.
In a his welcome speech at the event the Executive Secretary/CEO of NICO Mr Ado Muhammed Yahuza stressed that the institute as a parastal of the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy has the primary responsibility of effecting a sense of cultural direction and relationship to meet the challenges of social integration and national development.
He further stated that the initiative of the children’s cultural fiesta came through the institute’s cultural club to stimulate culture conscientiousness among students and also give them the platform to discover their God’s given talents in the area of culture and creative arts as well as encourage cooperation and healthy competition among the students.
The ES explained that, NICO has successfully established multiple cultural clubs in nearly each state of the federation through which children are exposed to the beauty of our rich cultural heritage in terms of our languages, dresses, music, cuisine and other cultural values which will in turn foster a sense of cultural awareness and identity in them.
He assured the students that they will be more exposed and well equipped in appreciating the beauty of our rich cultural heritage and diversity, most especially in the area of language, dressing, music, cuisine, and other intangible cultural heritage which will in turn further develop and stimulate cultural creativity among Nigerian Youth.

He also thanked parents and teachers for their support and encouragement towards NICO, programmes.
The competitive events were Traditional Hairdo, Cultural Quiz, Traditional cuisine and debate, while the non competitive events were Traditional music and dance, fashion parade, as well as cultural display.
A total of nine schools participated in the event including Tare Pet Montessori school, New Total Child Academy school, New Kings and Queens Montessori school, Excellent Glory International Academy, Regis International Montessori school, Spark International Academy, Teto College, Biedomo premier school and St. Jude girls Secondary School.
Prof. Barclay Foubiri Ayakoroma Acting Vice Chancellor of University of Africa Toru-Orua who was the keynote speaker presented a lecture on “Culture, Creativity, and the Nigerian Child”

Dignitaries present at the occasion were His Excellency, Sen. Douye Diri, The Executive Governor of Bayelsa State ably represented by Dr. Iti Orugbani, the Honourable Commission, Bayelsa State Ministry of Culture and Tourism Development, Prof. Barclay Foubiri Ayakoroma, Vice Chancellor, University of Africa Hon. Basil Kembo Technical Adverser to the Executive Governor of Bayelsa State on Federal Project and Programmes and some Head of various Federal establishments in Bayelsa State.

Corporate Affairs Unit
NSSZO