The National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), a parastatal of the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture in furtherance of its statutory mandate has concluded plans to organize the 2018 National Children’s Cultural Extravaganza on the theme: “Culture: A Strategic Tool for Peace, Unity and National Integration”.

The Acting Executive Secretary of NICO, Mr. Louis Eriomala, says the Children’s Cultural Extravaganza which is designed to stimulate the interest of secondary school students in our rich cultural heritage will hold on Thursday, 1st March, 2018 at the Cyprian Ekwensi Centre for Arts & Culture, Area 10, Garki-Abuja by 9am with students from 10 (ten) select Secondary Schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as participants.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, Deaconess Grace Gerkpe is expected to grace the occasion as Special Guest of Honour, while Former Dean, Faculty of Arts, University of Abuja, Professor Mabel Evwierhoma will deliver a lecture on the topic: “Culture: A Strategic Tool for Peace, Unity and National Integration”.

NICO Children’s Cultural Extravaganza aims at fostering a sense of cultural identity, pride and awareness in our children; promote cultural education and scholarship amongst students; encourage the appreciation and use of Nigerian Languages, dresses, cuisines and music at all levels of social integration; cooperation and healthy competitions amongst students; create a platform to discover young talents in culture and creative arts as well as promote the culture of peaceful co-existence and unity amongst students from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds.

The students from the select schools will be participating in non-competitive events such as: Rendition of our National Anthem in indigenous language; traditional fashion parade; traditional music and dance; and a roundtable discussion on the topic: “Culture: A Strategic Tool for Peace, Unity and National Integration”.

While the Abuja edition of the event holds on Thursday, 1st March, 2018, at Cyprian Ekwensi Centre for Arts & Culture, Area 10, Garki-Abuja by 9am, the Lagos edition of the Cultural Extravaganza will hold on 2nd March, 2018 at Cinema Hall, National Theatre, Iganmu Lagos with Mrs. Victoria Agodo, the Pioneer Executive Secretary of NICO presenting a lecture on the same topic: “Culture: A Strategic Tool for Peace, Unity and National Integration”.

Caleb Nor

Media Assistant to ES, NICO