GOOD day, everyone, and welcome to this edition of NOA ON THE MOVE. In the previous edition, we reviewed the Director-General’s familiarization exercise in Benue State. Kudos to the Benue State Directorate for a job well done.
Familiarization Tour To Niger State:
In this edition, we are going to journey through the Niger State Advocacy and Sensitization visit which took place recently.
The Director-General of the National Orientation Agency, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, and his team paid a one-day familiarization visit to the Niger State Directorate on the 6th of February, 2024.
Upon his arrival, the Director-General was received by the Management team led by the State Director, Malam Yahaya Gbongbo. Thereafter, he inspected a quarter guard mounted in his honour by the WAI Brigade, Niger State Command.
During his visit, the DG carried out the following activities:
Press Conference:
While addressing the media representatives in the state, the DG, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, presented his plans to improve the Agency in the coming years, principally to revive our National Core Values towards promoting national unity, peace, and progress.
He elaborated on the recently introduced National Value Charter, which delineates the responsibilities of the government to its citizens and the expectations of the citizens from the government.
Additionally, he discussed the CLHEEAN initiative acronym thus: (C-crime, L-lawlessness, H-health, E-education, E-environment, A-abuse, N-narcotics), targeted at tackling the moral decadence in our society. The Director-General also announced the planned introduction of a 37,000 citizen brigade across the 36 states, including FCT, to promote ethical values among Nigerians.
He stated that the initiative would commence with the launch of 1,000 citizen brigades in primary schools to promote national values and further disclosed that these brigades would be trained on positive aspects and facilitated soon.
Leadership values will be nurtured to become models for others to emulate. Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu expressed concern about children being exposed to foreign content through watching foreign cartoons and announced the Agency’s intention to call for entries from people to produce cartoons that promote local content.
He also added that the Agency would soon launch a mobile app containing indigenous cartoons through which local content and national values would be promoted.
Interactive Session with the Agency’s Staff:
The Director-General held an interactive session with the agency’s staff, during which he unveiled other plans for the agency under his administration including staff welfare.
Several questions regarding Staff Welfare were asked, and he gave satisfactory answers. He assured staff that he would facilitate the payment of the backlog of promotion arrears, even if it would be paid in installments.
On staff promotions, he promised to look into the possibilities of conducting the exams in each state to reduce the attended logistic problems.
Meanwhile, he mentioned that the results for this year’s promotion exercise would be facilitated and released soon.
Finally, he promised to look into the possibilities of expanding the Organogram and push for the LGA to be headed by a Deputy Director, as done in other sister Agencies.
Courtesy Visit To The Emir Of Minna:
In conclusion of the state visit, the Director-General, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, along with his team and the management of the National Orientation Agency, Niger State, paid a courtesy visit to His Royal Highness, Dr Umar Faruk Bahago, Emir of Minna.
The purpose of the visit was to inform him of the new National Value Charter soon to be launched by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and to invite His Royal Highness to the upcoming National Summit for Traditional Rulers in the country.
The Director-General sought His Royal Highness’ blessing and support for the agency’s programs and activities. In response, His Royal Highness assured the DG of his committed support for the revival of our decaying National Core Values.
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.