National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO)

Greetings ALL,

The 26th Convocation of the Nigerian Academy of Letters (NAL) is now in the past. It was a very rewarding experience for me; and I guess for all inductees and fellowship awardees.
However, there are certain senior colleagues that I need to appreciate, specially. Not doing that now would be a display of ingratitude,.more or less.
First, I give due credit to a quartet: Prof. Olu Obafemi, NNOM, FNAL, Prof. G.G. Darah, FNAL, Prof. Emmanuel Dandaura, FNAL, and Prof. Mabel Evwierhoma, FNAL, for encouraging me, repeatedly, to apply for membership of NAL. I appreciate you, my erudite, trailblazing professors.
Prof. Saviour Nathan Anari Agoro, MNAL readily agreed to be my referee, when I eventually applied. I badged into his house without calling to inform him first. He signed happily, recalling our good old days at University of Ibadan in the late 1980s. I appreciate you, my Bro.
To the NAL President, Prof Sola Akinrinade, I say, thanks for the good work you have been doing, moving NAL to an exhaulted pedestal. Am honoured to relate with you again after a long break from our annual meetings at UNESCO HQ in Paris. I know that you will record more wins for NAL during your tenure.
To all, I say, God Bless You!

Professor Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma
(MNAL, Fsonta, fta, fimc, cmc, mnipr, mnim, DGN)
Deputy Vice-Chancellor
University of Africa Toru-Orua (UAT)
Bayelsa State

Greetings ALL!
I want to wholeheartedly express my profound appreciation to all those who have, in one way or the other, felicitated me on my induction into the Nigerian Academy of Letters (NAL).
Many have observed that it look a long time in coming. But then, our people say, "the time a man wakes up in the morning is his morning."
Whaaaoooh! Perekeme "Perewinkle" Odon left all he was doing to rush to the venue of the programme, J.F. Ade-Ajayi Auditorium, University of Lagos, to document the event.
Two of my nephews currently undergoing a Cultural Administration programme at NICO Training School, Iganmu-Lagos, John Erebi and Super Kojo Captain, said they must be with me and that was what happened.
Chief Regent Youmor, our exemplary Izon-Ebe patriot, virtually raced down to Unilag to celebrate with me. His determination paid off as he caught up with me just as the programme ended. What a show of love!
My friend and renowned Izon activist, Comrade Joseph Evah, is not happy that he missed the event for no fault of his.
Comrade, abeg, no vex; nothing spoil. We go still see because of the good work you are doing.
To the Pro-Chancellor of University of Africa Toru-Orua (UAT), Bayelsa State, Barr. Kemela Okara, MON, I say sorry because you got to know about the induction after the event. The say, "at all, at all, na im bad pass."
To the UAT Family, under the leadership of our dynamic Vice-Chancellor, Professor Solomon Tamarabrakemi Ebobrah, know that I have gone through the various WhatsApp threads congratulating me. You are all deeply appreciated.
My people, I must confess that I have been overwhelmed by the messages, both personal and on group chats, to the extent that I lack words to express my appreciation..
Just know that I am not taking anything for granted. As you celebrated this modest achievement of mine, God will give you more reasons to also celebrate.
On behalf of my loving wife, Letty, and our children, I want to simply say: Thank You! Anua!
To God be the Glory!

Professor Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma
(MNAL, Fsonta, fta, fimc, cmc, mnipr, mnim, DGN)
Deputy Vice-Chancellor
University of Africa Toru-Orua (UAT)
Bayelsa State

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Admission in progress!

Greetings. This is to inform you that the 3rd Matriculation Ceremony of University of Africa, Toru-Orua (UAT), Bayelsa State, takes place on Thursday, 30th January, 2020 @ the Toru-Orua Civic Centre by 10am. You are cordially invited.

VC NDU Pledges Support Full For SONTA 2019

The Vice Chancellor of Niger Delta University (NDU), Amassoma, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Professor Samuel Gowon Edoumiekumo, has assured that the University will give full support to the Society of Nigeria Theatre Artists (SONTA) Annual International Conference being hosted by the Department of Theatre Arts, NDU, from 31st October to 2nd November, 2019.

The Vice Chancellor gave this assurance when the President of SONTA, Professor Alex Chinwuba Asigbo, led some members of SONTA EXCO and the SONTA-NDU 2019 LOC on a courtesy visit to him in his office.

According to him, NDU is property positioned to host the conference, adding that the Faculty of Arts Complex has eight lecture rooms and two auditoriums, which would be adequate to service the round table and plenary sessions during the conference.

Professor Edoumiekumo said since the University has received funds from the recent ASUU Agreement with the Federal Government, the lecture rooms and the auditoriums in the Faculty of Arts Complex would be properly furnished, among others, preparatory to the conference.

He also assured that since participants would lodge in Yenagoa, the state capital, some buses would be available for shuttle services, to and fro Amassoma, Wilberforce Island.

Earlier, the SONTA President, Professor Alex Asigbo had informed the Vice Chancellor that the Society of Nigeria Theatre Artists (SONTA), the umbrella body of theatre arts lecturers in higher institutions in Nigeria, is happy to grant the hosting right to NDU.

He said NDU got the hosting right for SONTA 2019 through a competitive bidding process, which took place at Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State, in November 2018; adding that the Department has created record by constituting the Local Organising Committee (LOC), less than two weeks of getting the hosting right.

Professor Asigbo appreciated the Vice Chancellor for the support he is giving to the Department, saying the gesture should be sustained to ensure that the University reaps the dividends of having a very vibrant Department of Theatre Arts.

Principal officers with the Vice Chancellor included the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Admin), Professor DonbebeWankasi; Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Professor Allen Aziba-Odumonsi Agih; and the Registrar, Mrs Effua Ebimiere Berepubo; while the SONTA President was accompanied by Dr. Jonathan Mbachaga (Secretary-General, SONTA), Dr. Chisimdi Ihentuge (Assistant Secretary, SONTA), Dr. Josephine Abbe (Events Manager, SONTA), Professor Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma (SONTA Editor), Dr. Benedict Binebai (Head of Department/Convener, SONTA 2019), Dr. Christine Odi (Chairman, LOC, SONTA 2019), Professor Saviour Nathan Agoro, and Professor Henry L. Bell-Gam, among other academic staff of the Department.

© SONTA News