Culture

NICO Hosts Children to Cultural Fiesta, Calls For Socio-cultural Foundation

Published

5 months ago

October 27, 2022

Eric

The National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) has organised Children’s Cultural Fiesta for secondary school students in the Federal Capital Territory.

Speaking during the closing ceremony of the Fiesta in Abuja, the Executive Secretary of NICO, Mr Ado Muhammad Yahuza said the programme is an offshoot of the Institute’s Cultural Club in Secondary Schools.

Mr Yahuza stated that the Fiesta with the theme “Culture, Creativity and the Future of the Nigerian Children” was designed to stimulate culture consciousness among students, create a profile to discover young talents in culture and creative arts as well as encourage cooperation and healthy competition among the students.

“While the Culture Club serves as a platform for the promotion of culture consciousness, creativity, national pride and Identity on a weekly basis, the Cultural Fiesta on the other hand provides an opportunity annually for members of the Cultural Club to display what they have learnt through competitive and non-competitive events’ He explained

The Executive Secretary who said NICO would establish Cultural Clubs in all secondary schools in the FCT and nationwide noted that sure way to make the children good let of tomorrow is by laying a solid socio-cultural and economic foundation for them.

“In this regard, I wish to assure you that this edition is a rich package that would expose our children to the beauty of our rich cultural heritage in music and dance, traditional cuisine, fashion parade, cultural quiz, lecture and roundtable on theme of the Fiesta” Mr Yahuza added

The Keynote Speaker and Senior Lecturer from the Department of Theatre Arts, University of Abuja, Prof. Barth Oshionebo commended NICO for organizing the Children’s Cultural Fiesta.

According to him, the Fiesta has gone a long way to inculcate the nation’s cultural values of peace, unity and national coherence in the students.

In a remark, the Director General of National Gallery of Arts, Chief Ebeten Ivara attributed most crimes among Nigerian students to loss of the cultural norms and values.

He therefore called for the support of all stakeholders towards promoting Nigerian culture among the country”s younger generation.

On his part, the Director General, Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, Abdullahamid Dembos represented by the General Manager, NTA Knowledge, Bukola Da-Silva promised the Organization’s support to NICO towards harnessing culture for national development.

Some of the students expressed gratitude to NICO for the Children’s Cultural Fiesta.

Twelve selected secondary schools in the FCT participated in the Fiesta which featured Quiz Competition, Cultural Display and presentation of gifts and certificates to the participating schools and students.

Culture

NANTA President Inaugurates Western Zone Secretariat, Recreation Centre

Published

2 months ago

January 27, 2023

Eric

Mrs. Susan Akporiaye, President, National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), on Thursday in Ibadan, Oyo State Capital, inaugurated the Western Zone Office and Recreation Centre.

Located within the confines of the National Museum of Unity Aleshinloye Ibadan, the bungalow structured complex, has a restaurant, a bar, toilets and lounge area, with a Conference hall for meetings.

Unveiling the edifice and supported by Nanta veterans, led by nanta’s first female President, Mrs Teresa ( ezeobi) OjO, Nanta President, Mrs Susan Akporiaye, praised the initiative and leadership of Otunba Babatunde Adesokan for the secretariat project.

“From Abuja, kano , Portharcourt and lagos, my charge and directive to all our zonal leadership, is to make nanta proud by leaving behind legacies and strategic income generating projects which can sustain the association at zonal levels and am happy with what Otunba Babatunde Adesokan has done here. This secretariat and recreation centre is an inspiration and commendable,” Mrs Akporiaye stated.

Ibadan National Museum curator, Mrs Pamela otuka Oriyomi disclosed that nanta western zone was allowed to have a secretariat and recreation centre within the museum complex, due to collaboration agenda of the National Museum leadership in Abuja which believes nanta is at the forefront to drive cultural tourism traffic and also a major player in the promotion ofNigerian historical narratives.

Mrs Teresa Ojo, who spoke for the veterans, expressed happiness with the determination and robust commitment of nanta members and leadership at all levels on changing the Nigerian tourism landscape, effectively and effortlessly, through the promotion of Nigeria at the last World Travel Market in London, first ever by any association, , and urged the Otunba Adesokan led western zone, to break more Ceilings, liberating the zone from the shackles of poverty.

“We are proud with Adesokan and his executive for this cheering effort. We want you to do more, locate and promote local tourism sites and create tourism jobs and other strings of income for members.” Mrs OjO, further stated.

Culture

Anyiam-Osigwe’s Death Has Created a Vacuum Difficult to Fill, Otunba Runsewe Mourns AMAA Founder

Published

3 months ago

January 11, 2023

Eric

President, Africa Region of World Craft Council (WCC) and Director General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Segun Runsewe, has described the death of 53 years old founder of Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), Peace Anyiam-Osigwe as a painful loss to Nigerian culture and creative sectors.

Runsewe said her death leaves a vacuum difficult to fill and prays that God gives the family, and the entire Nigerian culture and entertainment sector the fortitude to bear this sudden tragic loss in a year, the industry is looking up to create more jobs for youths in Nigeria.

“What a loss to our nation and industry. On behalf of NCAC, my family and the entire Nigerian and African cultural tourism industry, I condole with the ANYIAM OSIGWE FAMILY.

Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, who was also the President, Association of Movie Producers in Nigeria, died at a Lagos hospital, aged 53 years old.

Similarly, the DG NCAC, also commiserated with Mrs. Chika Balogun, former DG, National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Studies (NIHOTOUR) who lost her husband recently and who had been interred according to Moslem rites.

“Mrs Balogun is a valued partner and sister and we, at NCAC sends our heartfelt condolences, wishing Chika to stay strong over the loss of her dear husband.” Runsewe stated

Otunba Segun Runsewe also prayed and sent condolences to Mrs Chioma Ezike of Radio Nigeria and Justina Okpanku of Just Tours, both of whom lost their father and mother respectively.

“These are trying times for these our friends and partners and we thank God for the lives of their parents who lived their full age and gave us these brilliant culture journalists who have been making contributions to the growth culture economy.

“NCAC stands with you both at this hour of your parents passage. Please remain strong” Otunba Runsewe prayed.

Culture

Breaking: Lagos Wins Eko NAFEST 2022

Published

5 months ago

November 13, 2022

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The Lagos State contingents at the National Festival of Arts and Culture tagged Eko NAFEST 2022 has been declared winners of this year’s edition of the weeklong cultural fiesta.

The state, which hosted the event, was proclaimed winner at the end of the event at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan having scored the highest number of points.

Ekiti which won last year came a distant third as Rivers and Bayelsa were joint second.