The Director General of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa– Onilu has said that the Federal Government has put forward several policies aimed at addressing the nation’s economic and social challenges.
Mallam Issa – Onilu who made this known in Ibadan during the week at a press conference to launch the National Identity Project, and other Ongoing Nationwide Programmes of NOA held at the NOA head office in Oyo State also disclosed that Federal government has approved 16th September of every year as the National Symbol Day.
Speaking through the agency’s Director, Political Education, Civics, and Values, Mrs Adelaja Adeola, the NOA DG stressed that the policies ranges from the “Student Loan Scheme to the Nigeria Youth Investment Fund, and from the removal of fuel subsidies to energy sector reforms, adding that these initiatives reflect a government committed to improving the lives of Nigerians.
“The current administration has put forward several policies aimed at addressing the nation’s economic and social challenges. From the Student Loan Scheme to the Nigeria Youth Investment Fund, and from the removal of fuel subsidies to energy sector reforms, these initiatives reflect a government committed to improving the lives of Nigerians”, he said.
Mallam Issa-Onilu added, “Your role as media partners in communicating these policies accurately and consistently cannot be overstated. We trust that you will not only report on these programmes but also analyse them thoughtfully, providing insights and creating dialogues that help citizens understand how these policies affect them and how they can be part of the change process”.
On NOA activities, the Director General said the agency is committed to institutionalize the ‘Real Nigerian Character’ across various strata of society in the country, adding, ” In the past two weeks, NOA has made substantial progress in our mission to re-engineer the national mindset through value orientation and attitudinal change campaigns”.
“While our slogans have been useful in creating awareness and setting the tone for national discourse, it is important to recognize that slogans alone, though pleasing and memorable, cannot bring about the deep-seated transformation that our country truly needs”.
Mallam Issa-Onilu stressed further “True and lasting change requires sustained action, collaboration, and a collective commitment to realizing these ideals. Our agency’s founding act empowers us to go beyond simply informing the public; it charges us with promoting democracy, peace, orderliness, and moral conduct while actively mobilizing citizens’ support for government policies and programmes”.
He stressed further, “I am proud to share that, working closely with the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, NOA recently presented a series of proposals to the Federal Executive Council (FEC), all of which have been approved.
“These initiatives will provide the foundation for realigning national values and promoting responsible citizenship. Allow me to touch briefly on some of the key elements approved:
*Restoration of National Symbols: We are revitalizing the dignity of our national symbols, such as the flag, anthem, and pledge. A day has been designated—September 16th—to serve as a National Symbols Enlightenment Day, reinforcing the importance of these symbols in building national pride.
*National Values Charter and Curriculum: The approval of a National Values Charter to be integrated into the school curriculum, from basic to post-basic levels, will ensure the younger generation grows up with a strong foundation in core national values.
*Citizens Value Brigade: Replacing the War Against Indiscipline (WAI) Brigade with the Citizens Value Brigade to better align with democratic principles while still promoting discipline and moral responsibility”
Emphasizing the need for active participation of the media, he noted that “The role of the media is invaluable in disseminating these messages and helping us achieve the depth of impact required to transform attitudes and behaviours.
“The media remains the most powerful tool for reaching every Nigerian home, school, workplace, and community. You shape narratives, you mould perceptions, and you are the bridge between the government and the people. We urge the media to hold us accountable, to ask the tough questions, and to keep these programmes in the public discourse. But beyond that, we ask that you partner with us in actively driving these changes, understanding that ‘a better Nigeria benefits us all’.
Credit: newnigeriannewspaper.com
