The National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) has expressed it’s commitment in promoting as well as harnessing Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage, moral upbringing of children and youth for national development.
The Executive Secretary of the agency Alhaji Ado Mohammed Yahuza disclosed this at the Inauguration of NICO’s cultural Club at Government Girl Senior secondary school Dorayi Babba in Gwale local government area of Kano state.
According to him “NICO is a Parastatal of the Federal Ministry of Information and
Culture charged with the statutory responsibility of harnessing our rich, cultural heritage for national development, since inception, the Institute had designed programmes for various segments of the society in the furtherance of it’s statutory objectives, these include children, youth, men, Women, Your Excellency, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
may I inform you that NICO Cultural club in secondary schools was conceptualized as a veritable platform for the inculcation of our cherished Cultural values in our young people who are the leaders of tomorrow.”
“For us in NICO, it is our firm belief that children are the critical stakeholders in national development, this presupposes that the much desired growth and development of our dear country is hinged on how much we invest in the educational, Cultural and moral upbringing of our children. We also agree with Fredrick Douglas that it is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men,” he explained.
The executive secretary maintained that the objectives of the club among others is to foster a sense of cultural identity, pride and awareness in the students; serve as platform for the campaign against indecent dressing, cultism, examination malpractices amona other vices; enable students appreciate Nigerian cultural diversity; promote the culture of peaceful coexistence and unity among students from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds; encourage the appreciation of Nigerian languages, dresses, music and cuisine at all levels of
social interaction.”
He added that the activities of the club will include; language quiz, drama, fashion parade, traditional music and dance, debate, essay writing, traditional cuisines, stand-up comedy, arts and crafts exhibition.
In a remarks, the principle of the school Hajiya Husaina Ado Abdullahi traced the history of the school established in 2005 as junior secondary school in the same premises and was headed by its pioneer principle Malam Bello Kani Gaya.
According to her the main problem bedevailing the school are the lack of enough classes, lack of perimeter wall fencing which poses insecurity to the well being of the girl-child students, the lack of benches and sits despite the provision of some recently.
Husaina Ado then urged the incoming administration, education stakeholders, philanthropist and well to do individual in the state to come to the aid of the school so that her suffering will be alleviated.
Also speaking, the Emir of Kano Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero represented by Kaigama of Kano promise that Kano state Emirate council as a costodiant of cultural heritage and values, will use every resources and opportunities to support the clubs.
The Emir appreciates NICO’s commitments urging other secondary schools, Emirates councils and to emulate the gesture as means of promoting Kano’s cultural heritage.