The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Enugu State, Dr. Lawrence Okechukwu Azubuike, has called on National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), to key into the Commission’s “Voter Education” programme, saying culture gives identity to a people and the community, and that elections do not exist in a vacuum but within the context of the community.
Azubuike, who stated this when a team from NICO Enugu State Office paid him a courtesy visit, expressed joy for the visit, stating that there were ample areas for collaboration between INEC and NICO in Enugu State.
Earlier, the Enugu State Head of NICO, Mr. Nnaemeka Nwajagu, stated that democracy and good governance cannot thrive without culture, adding that the totality of way of life of any people is tied to the apron strings of culture as reflected in how they interact, eat, drink and dress, and that the political behaviour is a fall-out of the socio-cultural milieu and as such plays a pivotal role in shaping the course of democracy.
Mr. Nwajagu, who commended INEC, under the leadership of Professor Attahiru Jega, for the conduct of credible elections in the country, submitted that corruption and greed impede the age-long African values of love, merit, peace, and honesty.
He informed the Resident Electoral Commissioner that NICO, under the leadership of Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, has come out with deliberate policies and programmes to create cultural awareness amongst
Nigerians, irrespective of age, creed and ethnic background.
Also speaking, Mr. Austine Okezie of Research and Documentation Unit, told the INEC officers that NICO has, over the years, engaged in several policies and programmes, which include Nigerian Indigenous Language Programme (NILP), NICO Cultural Clubs in Secondary Schools, World Culture Day, and Annual Public Lecture, adding that this year’s NILP comes up in the month of August.
INEC officers present at the meeting include Dr. Fidelis Uguru (HOD Operations), Dr. Mrs. A. Ekuro (HOD, Political Party Monitoring/Public Affairs), Mr. Irokwe Okorie (Administrative Secretary), Mr. Ibe U. Ibe (HOD, Technical), and Mrs. Rita Idieka, (HOD, General Administration and Procurement).
Frank Otobo
Enugu State Office