The Executive Secretary, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, has said the Institute’s focus on children in the implementation of its cultural orientation mandate, was informed by the understanding that Nigeria can only succeed in promoting and projecting our culture when it has succeeded in transmitting it to the younger generation.
Ayakoroma disclosed this in an address at the maiden edition of the National Children’s Cultural Extravaganza organized by the Institute on Thursday, 12th December, 2013 at the Cyprian Ekwensi Centre for Arts and Culture, Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.
Represented by the Director of Administration and Human Resources, Barr. Abayomi Oyelola, mni, the NICO Boss, who expressed optimism that a solid socio-cultural foundation for our youth would be a strong antidote against the onslaught of globalization, stressed that since children are the leaders of tomorrow and culture holds the key to growth, identity and development, investing in the upbringing of our youths culturally should be considered logical and strategic.
According to him, the 2-day Children’s Cultural Extravaganza, a programme for NICO Cultural Clubs in Schools, is a platform to bring together children from schools to appreciate and celebrate Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage.
His words: “In the last two days, schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) participated in some competitive and non-competitive events, such as Language Quiz, Essay Competition, preparing of Indigenous Cuisines, Dress Parade, Crafts Exhibition and Indigenous Music and Dance. These events would keep them abreast of our cultural values and inculcate in them the cherished cultural practices of the various ethnic groups in the country, thus promoting patriotism, peaceful co-existence and national unity.”
At the end of the competition, Junior Secondary School, Karu emerged winner in the Essay Writing category, Federal Government Girls’ College, Bwari came 2nd, while Federal Government Boys College, Apo took the 3rd position.
In the Traditional Cuisine category, Subert International Academy, Bwari emerged winner, Junior Secondary School Byhzin-Kubwa came 2nd, and Federal Government Girls’ College, Bwari clinching the 3rd position.
The Traditional Hairdo category had Junior Secondary School, Jikwoyi as overall best, Junior Secondary School, Byzhin-Kubwa came up in the 2nd position, while Federal Government Girls College-Bwari took the 3rd position.
The 1st position in the Traditional Dress Parade went to Federal Government Boys College, Apo, 2nd position to Junior Secondary School, Dutse Alhaji and 3rd position to Federal Government Girls College-Bwari.
The Dance Competition category had Junior Secondary School Kubwa emerging overall best, Junior Secondary School Garki taking 2nd, while Junior Secondary School, Dutse Alhaji came 3rd.
The Language Quiz had Junior Secondary School, Jikwoyi emerging as best, Junior Secondary School, Garki came 2nd, while Junior Secondary School Byzhin-Kubwa took the 3rd position.
Caleb Nor
Corporate Affairs Unit
NICO, Abuja