NICO Decries ‘African Time’ Habit Among Nigerians

By Mathew Ayoola

The Former Dean, Students Affairs, Benue State University, Prof. Gowon Ama Doki has advised Nigerians against African time habit towards curbing challenges hidering productivity in Nigeria’s quest for development.

Prof. Ama Doki gave the advise while declaring open the Annual Roundtable on Cultural Orientation, ARTCO, organized by the National Institute for Cultural Orientation, NICO, in Makurdi, Benue State.

The Former Dean who was the Chairman of the occasion said for the country to move forward the issue of African time is one of the challenges Nigeria must overcome in its day to day activities.

While commending NICO for the choice of this year’s discussion on ARTCO, Prof Ama Doki stressed the need for Government Agencies to embark on sensitization campaigns against African time in the country.

In a goodwill message, a Traditional Ruler in Benue State, His Royal Highness, Vincent Ioryem Aule said the discussion on African time is apt as it is coming at a period when the country is yearning for development.

The Traditional Ruler therefore called for value re-orientation among Nigerians towards promoting the nation’s cultural heritage.

Also in their separate goodwill messages, the Artistic Director, National Troupe of Nigeria, Mr Mohammed Ahmed and the Director, National Orientation Agency, NOA, Makurdi Directorate, Benue State, Mr Audu Idoko noted that those who initiated the idea of African time are enemies of Africa and called for attitudnal change by Nigerians.

They therefore promised to collaborate with NICO towards putting an end to it in Nigeria.

Speaking on the theme of this year’s ARTCO, “The African time Syndrome: Implication for National Development”, the Executive Secretary of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation, NICO, Mr Ado Yahuza who expressed concern over the poor time management in the society said the habit has continously deprived the society of its deserved development.

Mr Yahuza stated that the habit has also constantly led to missed opportunities, delayed progress, strained interpersonal relationships, hindered productivity which impedes societal development.

“In essence, the repercussion of this discipline extends beyond individual habits to reflect the collective wellbeing and efficiency of our society and therefore demands our collective attention in the context of national development” He stressed.

While advising Nigerians against African time mentality, the Executive Secretary of NICO called on participants at the Roundtable to come up with strategies towards curbing the challenges posed by African time syndrome with its elimination towards cultural harmony and national development.

Other Speakers at the Roundtable also commended NICO for the choice of the theme of this year’s ARTCO and called for more measures that would right the wrongs among Nigerians to enhance national development.

The two day Roundtable will feature paper presentations by Scholars on the challenges of African time syndrome to national development.

Edited By Grace Namiji