DSC096661The Coordinator, South-West Zonal Office of National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Mr. James Imohiosen, has solicited for the participation of the staffers of the Ondo State Ministry of Culture and Tourism and other relevant agencies in the academic programmes of the Institute’s Training School in Abuja and Lagos.

Imohiosen, who assumed duty in the zonal office in Akure, Ondon State on 21st August, 2015, made this request on Wednesday, 2nd September, 2015, when he paid a courtesy visit on the Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Dr. (Mrs.) Modupe Catherine Akinroye.

While commending the leadership of the Ministry for the unalloyed support and cooperation so far given to NICO, since its inception in the zone, said he was highly elated with the level of collaboration both agencies have had in the areas of training and other cultural events, such as the 2-day training workshop for culture workers in May, 2010 with the theme, “Repositioning the Nigerian Cultural Workers for Better Service Delivery;” sponsoring of staffers in 2012 to attend the Institute’s annual one-month intensive long vacation Nigerian Indigenous Language Programme (NILP); and the much celebrated 2013 World Day for Cultural Diversity with the theme, “Creativity: A Tool for Peace and National Development,” IMG 20150902 1158321among other events.

He used the opportunity to solicit the Permanent Secretary’s support to sponsor members of staff of the Ministry to attend the Training School, which runs diploma and postgraduate diploma programmes in cultural administration, come 2016, and saying that it is a staff development initiative that will enhance the job performance of such officers.

The zonal coordinator also asked for collaboration and active participation of the Ministry in this year’s children programme tagged: “Children’s Cultural Extravaganza,” which, he said, is a programme aimed at catching the young ones and inculcating the right values into them.

Responding on behalf of the Ministry, the Director of Culture, Mr. Lawrence Amimi, while applauding the zonal head and his team for the visit, said the Ministry and NICO are partners in the wheel of progress since its establishment in the state, and have collaborated in events aimed at promoting, preserving and propagating culture in the state and that the collaboration will be sustained.

ANAKPOHA, Ogaga

Corporate Affairs

NICO SWZ