In a relentless effort to revolutionize cultural education in Nigeria, the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), has taken custody of the building donated by His Imperial Majesty, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege II to serve as South-West campus of the Nigerian Academy for Cultural Studies (NACUS).
At the visit to the palace of the Soun of Ogbomosho Land on Monday in Oyo State, Executive Secretary/CEO of NICO, Otunba Biodun Ajiboye says the establishment of a specialized monotechnic remains crucial to address the considerable setback Nigerian culture has faced over the last 200 years due to lack of respect.
He maintains that with the Academy’s curriculum approved by the National Board of Technical Education (NBTE), programmes leading to the award of National Diploma in Cultural Administration and Resource Management and Postgraduate Diploma in Cultural Administration will soon Commence at the Ogbomosho Campus.
He also reveals that the Academy will correct historical narratives and revive interest in our core cultural practices, ethics and values aimed at training and reorienting Nigerians on the need to always appreciate their rich cultural heritage.
Otunba Biodun Ajiboye discloses that the new academy will have unique departments like Cultural Pharmacology, which will focus on transforming Nigeria’s natural resources into medicinal use while the Cultural Technology department aims at training students on the various ways to convert natural resources into technological products, using the Chinese experience as example.
On his part, the Soun of Ogbomosho, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III, expresses immense excitement and gratitude to the Federal Government for establishing the Academy in Ogbomosho. He donates 10 acres of land for future development and expansion of the Academy.
“We’re excited and grateful for having this in our town and we’ll be giving you all the necessary support to ensure the project succeeds”.
Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III says he is commited to any course, aimed at reviving Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage while resolving confusions surrounding historical facts and traditions, which he lamented are often poorly documented.
He cited the confusion surrounding the origins and descendants of historical figures like the old Jewel, where varying accounts are circulating and therefore charged the Institute to research into our historical facts to be properly documented as source material.
The Ogbomosho Campus of NACUS is a fenced building with facilities including spacious lecture halls, large auditorium, male and female hostels and good road network to mention a few.
Saeed Tijani
Corporate Affairs Unit
Ilorin, Kwara State.
