The Human Resource Manager of LAFARGE Cement Wapco Nigeria Plc, Ewekoro, Mr. Tunji Solanke, has commended the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), for its professionalism in its conduct.
Mr. Solanke gave the commendation at the end of a one-day orientation exercise put together by NICO for expatriate workers of LAFARGE at the company’s Training School at Ewekoro on Tuesday, June 29, 2010.
He promised to always call on NICO again for such orientation programmes whenever the need arises.
The programme comprised presentation of two papers by renowned cultural experts, namely, Prof. Ahmed Yerima, who spoke on “This is Nigeria: A Panoramic View,” and Mr. Peter Ogudoro, who spoke on “Understanding your Work Environment.”
The objective of the programme essentially was to ensure that the expatriates appreciated their new working environment, Nigeria in general, and Ogun/Lagos axis in particular. This formed the kernel of the whole programme covered by the paper sessions and the cultural performances.
In addition, a cultural performance by Dagumbas Ensemble reflected the dance tradition of the Lagos/Ogun axis, especially Ijebu, Egun, and Egba, the immediate environment of the company.
In his address, the Executive Secretary of NICO, Dr. Barclays Ayakoroma, who was represented by the Director Admin & Human Resources, Mr. Abayomi Oyelola, mni, said NICO was pleased to be called upon to handle the cultural orientation programme to psychologically prepare the expatriates for their new working environment, which would go a long way in contributing to their productivity.
According to him, this was one of the cardinal objectives of setting up NICO by government in the first place. He added that he hoped that other multi-national organisations who bring in expatriates would emulate LAFARGE in preparing their workers psychologically to understand the culture and the people of their immediate environment.
Mr. Oyelola thanked the participants who came from various African and European countries like Egypt, Spain, South Africa, and France that the package by NICO was like community building which ensured that all are involved in the outcome of the project. In his words, “I hope you will have cause to reflect at the end of your stay, that Nigeria has been a wonderful country.”
Finally, he advised the participants not to be confused about, but to appreciate the nuances of the Nigerians they will be working with, without necessarily discarding the rules of engagement, so as “to avoid a lot of land mines, so that you don’t confront crisis and crisis confronts you. At the end of the day, you will have to be grateful for coming to Nigeria.”
Most of the participants spoken to said they were better prepared to deal with Nigerian workers now because they were now positioned to better appreciate their cultural/ attitudinal nuances in order to get the best out of them.
Other members of NICO team present at the event were Mrs. Bridgette Yerima, Head, Lagos Office, Mr. Ohi Ojo, Head, Corporate Affairs, Lagos Office, and Alhaji Bashir Mohammed.
Ohi Ojo
Head, Corporate Affairs
NICO, Lagos
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