The National Institute for Cultural Orientation, NICO, has trained over 100 officers of the Nigerian Security and Civil Decence Corps, NSCDC on free Nigerian Indigenous Language tagged ” Language in the Barracks”.
Speaking during the closing ceremony of the two months long training programme held at the NSCDC Headquarters in Sauka Abuja, the Executive Secretary of NICO, Mr Ado Yahuza said the move was part of NICO’s contributions towards enhancing information and intelligence gathering in the security of lives and property in the country.
Mr Yahuza who was represented by the Director, Orientation and Cultural Affairs in NICO, Mr Alex Omijie emphasized the need for the use of indigenous languages among security personnel most especially at the grassroots towards boosting interpersonal communication among host community in the course of their duties.
Mr Yahuza who said the training was beingcarried out in all NSCDC formation nationwide said the Institute had also put in place other language training editions such as Vacation edition otherwise known as August edition designed specifically for primary and secondary school students as well as the public while others are the weekend edition designed for convenience of workers.
The Executive Secretary of NICO stressed that the duty of preserving and promoting Indigenous languages should not be left to the government alone as Individuals, families, relevant organizations and religious bodies should all play their positive roles in the growth, development and sustainability of indigenous languages in the country.
According to him, indigenous languages remain a veritable way of sustaining identity as a people for national development.
Mr Yahuza noted that Indigenous languages connect people to their socio-cultural landscape and to find solutions to universal problems as it expands people’s cognitive ability and enables better understanding and appreciation of the cultural values of the indigenous people within an environment for unity and national cohesion.
On his part, the Commandant General of NSCDC, Dr. Abubakar Audi represented by the ACG Administration, Dr. Helen Amakri commended NICO for the two months free indigenous language training programme.
He said the training would go a long way in enhancing the performance of its officers most especially those posted to rural areas.
Some of the participants who expressed satisfaction with the training called for more programmes that would further enhance their productivity.
Highlights of the event was the presentation of certificates and awards to the participants