The Executive Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, has commended the artistic ingenuity of the newly formed Cultural Troupe of NICO South-West Zone, which performed at the Children’s Day Celebration, organized by the Ondo State Government, on Monday, May 27, 2013, at the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Square, Igbatoro Road, Akure.
The Governor, who gave this commendation in his Goodwill Message during the occasion, acknowledged the importance of this year’s theme, “Our Children, Our Future, Our 
Collective Responsibility,” which had sub-themes on good dress culture and reading culture as attributes for children, who are the future leaders.
The theme of the Children’s Day was aptly captured in the play, titled, “Because of Tomorrow,” by the NICO SWZ Cultural Troupe, co-staged with students of Akure Secondary Commercial High School, Oke-Aro.
The message of the play, which was well received by the audience, centred on the consequences of deviant behaviour among the youth and the need to imbibe in them good moral virtues, which will always have positive impact in their lives in the future.
It
was also an opportunity for the Zonal Office to promote the NICO Cultural Clubs programme, ‘Omoluabi,’ in the play when a star in the cast attributed his good behaviour, diligence, and academic success in school to his membership of the Club.
It will be recalled that NICO SWZ Cultural Troupe was inaugurated on Wednesday, April 23, 2013, by the Zonal Coordinator, Mr. Ohi Ojo, and made its debut at the World Culture Day on Tuesday, May 21, 2013.
Ogaga Anakpoha
Corporate Affairs