NICO launches nationwide seminar to promote cultural values

The National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) has begun a nationwide seminar aimed at reviving Nigeria’s cultural values as a pathway to tackling social and economic challenges. Executive Secretary of NICO, Otunba Biodun Ajiboye, said the initiative is intended to promote ethical practices, preserve cultural heritage and improve the management of Nigeria’s diversity. “Our nationwide […]

The National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) has begun a nationwide seminar aimed at reviving Nigeria’s cultural values as a pathway to tackling social and economic challenges.

Executive Secretary of NICO, Otunba Biodun Ajiboye, said the initiative is intended to promote ethical practices, preserve cultural heritage and improve the management of Nigeria’s diversity.

“Our nationwide advocacy for the return of cultural values is targeted at bringing cultural orientation to the fore as a major platform for promoting ethical practices, preserving cultural values and enhancing diversity management in Nigeria,” Ajiboye said in a statement by Caleb Nor, his media assistant.

He noted that the neglect of cultural values has contributed to rising insecurity, corruption and moral decline.

“A nation without concerted efforts at moderating or determining expected behaviour of its citizens is a nation in chaos,” he said. “We should be worried that before now, our cultural values, ethical values and patriotism were very high but for some reasons, the society has degenerated to a state where people now take laws into their hands.”

Ajiboye stressed the importance of using Nigeria’s cultural diversity as a tool for development.

“Imagine a situation where Nigerians come to a point where ethics and values are held in high esteem and our cultural diversity is used to the advantage of all and for the progress of the country—it will go a long way to strengthen the moral and cultural foundations of our dear nation,” he said.

The NICO annual seminar on Ethics, Values and Management of Cultural Diversity in Nigeria is scheduled to hold across the six geo-political zones. The first edition was held in Abuja on September 11, while the South-West edition is billed for September 24 in Akure, Ondo State.