HI EVERYONE and welcome to new edition of NOA ON THE MOVE. In our previous edition we enjoyed the activities that took place in Kano State where the Hon. Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris and my amiable Director-General of the National Orientation Agency, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu together with Kano State Governor, Engr Abba Kabir Yusuf launched the MOBILISER and attended a town hall meeting with the business community….
In today’s edition, we are to journey to Kogi State, which was the latest mobilization tour of the Director-General where he met with traditional rulers, the relevant stakeholders including the youths and finally had interactive Sessions with the NOA staff before meeting with staff and students of Muna International Comprehensive Academy, Lokoja.
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) team, in continuation of it’s mission to foster collaboration, promote national values, and reorient citizens visited Kogi State on a two-day comprehensive working visit led by its Director-General, Mallam Lanre Issa Onilu.
Visit to Traditional Rulers in Koton Karfe:
On May 9, 2024, the visit commenced at the palace of HRM Saidu Akawu Salisu, Ohimege Iguof Koton Karfe, a critical gateway to Lokoja, the capital city of Kogi State. This strategic engagement aimed to strengthen the implementation of NOA’s new agenda for behavioral modification by collaborating closely with traditional rulers.
Mallam Onilu emphasized the significance of fostering the right attitudes to combat corruption and underscored the need to empower Nigerian’s youth, who constitute over 70% of the population.
“Our mission is to sensitize Nigerians and collaborate with traditional rulers,” he declared, highlighting initiatives such as conflict resolution training to support traditional leaders in their communities.
The Director-General also discussed efforts to reorient youth away from the “get rich quick” mentality, instead promoting core Nigerian values. “Empowering our youth and instilling the right values is crucial for our nation’s future,” Onilu stressed.
In response, HRM Saidu Akawu Salisu commended the Director General’s dedication and expressed his willingness to partner with NOA. “We are committed to an open-door collaboration with NOA to achieve these noble goals,” the traditional ruler affirmed.
The engagement with traditional rulers forms part of NOA’s broader grassroots advocacy tour, aiming to engage local leaders and communities across Nigeria to drive the agency’s agenda for positive behavioral change.
Stakeholders’ Town Hall Meeting:
The following day, May 10, 2024, the NOA team held a comprehensive stakeholders’ town hall meeting in the State. The well attended sessionwhich was aimed to foster collaboration and promote national values through citizen reorientation was hosted by the DG NOA.
Introduction: Mr. Patrick Edogbanya, Acting State Director of NOA in Kogi, opened the session by thanking stakeholders for their unwavering support. He emphasized the purpose of the Director General’s visit and the critical need for collaboration to achieve NOA’s objectives in moving Nigeria to greatness.
Director General’s Speech: Mallam Onilu lauded the stakeholders for their dedication and resilience in supporting government initiatives. He outlined NOA’s primary focus on reorienting citizen values, enhancing policy sensitization, and the crucial role of collaboration. Highlighting the need for a national value charter, he stressed character building from childhood to adulthood and proposed integrating citizenship education at all educational levels.
Interactive Session Highlights:
1. Hon. Ibrahim Itodo (IPAC): Emphasized effective governance to minimize opposition and improve government visibility.
2. Zubair Abubakar (JNI): Pointed out the gap between policy formulation and implementation. He called for better justice administration and robust policy monitoring.
3. Alhaji Isah Adeboye: Advocated for accountability measures akin to the MAMSER era and stressed government investment in teacher training and project monitoring by associations.
4. Mrs. B.S. Balagbogbo: Proposed targeted programs to support vulnerable women and suggested reforms within the WAI Brigade to combat societal indiscipline.
5. Mr. Ibikunle Medubi: Praised NOA’s innovations and suggested reviving Local Government Administration to reduce pressure on higher tiers of government, advocating for leadership reassessment and cost of governance reduction.
6. Amb. Usman Bello (JNI): Encouraged continuity in policy implementation across administrations to maintain NOA’s vision.
7. Falilat Rasaq (AMIRA FOMWAN): Urged alignment of government actions with policy statements and proposed a more active role for NOA in educational policy formulation.
8. Elder David Onile (CAN): Called for increased support to Kogi NOA to enhance productivity.
9. Imam Monsur Mohammed (Council of Ulama): Advocated for the restoration of religious studies in the curriculum and the engagement of religious clerics in implementing the value charter.
10. Usman Aboyi (NYCN): Expressed concerns about youth unemployment and called for federal government intervention through employment creation strategies.
Meeting with Kogi State Directorate Staff:
The Director General convened a meeting with the staff of the Kogi State Directorate at the NOA Conference Hall. Key highlights of the DG’s speech included the necessity of a new corporate agenda for NOA to drive federal government interventions and the importance of staff efficiency in their orientation duties.
Staff Challenges and Requests:
Mr. Barnabas Abiodun presented commendations and requests on behalf of the staff, highlighting issues such as the need for prompt payment of promotion arrears and improved working conditions. The DG acknowledged these concerns and assured the staff that they would be evaluated based on their merits and urgency, with appropriate actions to follow.
Radio Kogi FM Interview:
After the town hall meeting and staff engagement, the Director General proceeded to Radio Kogi FM for an in-depth interview. During the interview, Mallam Onilu elaborated on the purpose of his visit and the broader objectives of NOA. He reiterated the agency’s commitment to promoting national values, enhancing policy sensitization, and engaging with local communities to drive positive behavioral change.
School Visit to Muna International Comprehensive Academy:
The visit to Kogi State was concluded with a session at Muna International Comprehensive Academy in Lokoja, where Mallam Onilu engaged with students and staff. He emphasized the importance of courage, diligence, good character, discipline, and loyalty. “Embodying these values will equip you with the moral foundation and confidence necessary to navigate challenges and contribute meaningfully to the growth of our nation,” he told the students. The visit included interactive sessions where students expressed their thoughts and aspirations for Nigeria.
Conclusion:
The Director General’s visit to Kogi State underscored the importance of collaboration, effective governance, and youth empowerment. The commitment of NOA and its stakeholders to promoting national values and achieving national development objectives remains steadfast.
Below are pictures of the visit:
Comments and Contributions to improve the presentations to the understanding of all Nigerians are welcomed.
Contact: Sulaiman Habibat Bimbola
Bimbola Sulaiman, a trained journalist and broadcaster, is a staff of National Orientation Agency (NOA), office of the Director General, Lanre Issa-Onilu.
Her column ‘NOA ON THE MOVE’, a sponsored partnership with News Point Nigeria, appears on this platform on Thursdays. She can be reached on bimbolasulaiman@gmail.com. Twitter: @bimssulaiman, Instagram: bimbolasulaiman, Linkedln: @ Bimbola Sulaiman