The Executive Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency, Arakunri Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has expressed the belief that the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) Cultural Club, also known as “Omoluabi Club” will help curb the alarming rate of moral decadence among youths in the state.

The Governor made this known on Thursday, November 8, 2018 when the South West Zonal Coordinator of the Institute, Mr. James Imohiosen led a delegation of staff to his office on a courtesy visit. Receiving the delegation, Akeredolu commended NICO for its laudable programmes and activities in the state; especially their effort at restoring the nation’s cherished culture through the Cultural Clubs initiative.

He expressed optimism that the activities of NICO Cultural clubs will go a long way at impacting our youths positively in building their minds towards cultural oriented activities rather than indulge in social vices. In his words “The cultural clubs will serve as a tool for revamping our ailing culture which has been subjugated by the influence of westernization. Our culture has been so infiltrated to the extent that we no longer appreciate our rich cultural heritage given to us by God. NICO should also intensify its orientation programmes to change these anomalies”.

While assuring the Institute of his administration’s support, Akeredolu said the state government will do everything possible to create an enabling environment to assist the Institute achieve its mandate in the state, saying the leadership of the Institute should not hesitate to call on him whenever the need arise.

Earlier in his speech, the South West Zonal Coordinator of NICO, Mr. James Imohiosen said the purpose of the visit was to intimate His Excellency of the programmes and activities of the Institute in the zone and also to explore possible ways to collaborate with the office of the governor towards harnessing culture for national development.

Mr. Imohiosen recounted the programes executed so far by the Institute in the zone to include: Yoruba Quiz Schools Challenge; Training of Cultural workers of Ondo state ministry of culture and tourism; Documentation of 500 years of the Osamawe Dynasty in Ondo town; Training Workshop for Ondo State Council of Obas in conjunction with the Ondo state ministry of local government and Chieftaincy Affairs as well as the Research and Documentation of Religious and Cultural Festivals in the South West; Igogo festival in Owo town; Orosun festival in Idanre; Aregbe/dududu in Akure; and Osun Osogbo festival in Osogbo among others.

Dignitaries present at the meeting were; the Ondo State Head of Service, Mr. Toyin Akinkuotu; Chief of Staff to the governor, Mr. Olugbenga Ale and the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Ismaila Olurimisi.

The NICO Zonal Coordinator was accompanied by Mrs. Ruth Oyenekan (Head, Admin and Human Resources); Mrs. Ogechy Nwokorie (Head, Orientation and Cultural Affairs); Mr. Dickson Idonije of the Research and Documentation department as well as Mr. Ogaga Anakpoha and Ehis Ogedegbe of the Corporate Affairs unit.

Ogaga Anakpoha and Ehis Ogedegbe

Corporate Affairs unit