The outgoing Director of Orientation and Cultural Affairs, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Chief Festus Ndukwe Ihenetu, has said that industrial harmon
y between the leadership of NICO and staffers is necessary for the Institute to achieve its set goals.
Ihenetu made this known at the Boardroom of the Institute at its Head Office in Abuja on Thursday, April 11, 2013, during a Valedictory Management meeting held to honour and send him forth on his retirement from service.
According to him, until staffers realize the importance of their input towards ensuring the progress of the Institute, in terms of what they can do for it and not what the Institue can do for them, the desired organizational goals would remain a mirage.
His words: “When you are working in an organization, first think about what you can do for that organization to succeed instead of what the organization can do for you. Also, know that for you to experience progress, you must surrender all and be contented with where you are. Otherwise, at a time you are trying to push yourself into a particular point, you will find yourself dragged into another place.”
Revealing the secret of his success story in the public service, Ihenetu recalled his experience, saying, “When I came to NICO in the year 2000, I was coming from the banking sector; and the drastic reduction in my salary almost made me to turn down the job offer. But I asked myself, what I can do for the organization and not what it can do for me.”
Speaking earlier, the Executive Secretary, Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, noted that as one of the pillars of the Institute, it will not have been fair to allow the Director to proceed on his pre-retirement leave silently, saying, NICO must imbibe the culture of honouring those, who have served the Institute meritoriously.
While wishing him the best in his future endeavour, Ayakoroma said with the exit of Chief Ihenetu from NICO, in particular, and the public service, in general, not only will he be missed by many, but it has created a vacuum and that urgent steps need to be taken for his replacement.
Directors present at the meeting spoke highly of Chief Ihenetu and their working relationship, emphasizing that he was of tremendous help to them and urged him to remain close to the Institute even after his retirement.
Other Management Staff present at the meeting were Mr. Godson Ordu (Director, Finance & Accounts), Mr. Louis Eriomala (Director, Research & Documentation), Prince Bamidele Olusa (Director, Training School), Hon. Nelson Campbell (Deputy Director/Special Adviser to the ES), Mr. Alex Omijie (Deputy Director, Protocol), Barr. Musa Kakamba (Asst. Director, Legal), Mr. Michael Ekoko (Asst. Director, Research) and Mrs. Jane Anigala (Asst. Director, Admin).
Chief Festus Ndukwe Ihenetu is the third Director to retire under the Ayakoroma-led administration of NICO.
Caleb Nor
Corporate Affairs