The National Orientation Agency has mandated its workforce to embark on a sweeping nationwide sensitization on the Federal Government’s laudable stride on the ban on sachets alcohol packaged in Sachets / PEF/small bottles etc in order to reinforce responsible consumption.
The campaign is also to galvanise public understanding as well as the stakeholders’ cooperation.
Conveying the message during the occasion of the annual Ramadan lecture of the Police Central Mosque, State Headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan, Oyo State themed ” Islamic panacea to the youth restiveness in the 21st century, Isiaka kehinde, the head of the media and communication in Oyo state who represented the state director, Mrs Ajolayo Sinmiat Akande, charged the public especially the media to make the campaign take a firm root in order to make good the Federal Government s aims to stem the tide of alcohol related crime thereby improving public health outcomes thus ensuring safer communities as expressly directed by the agency’s DirectorGeneral, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu.
The Deputy Director maintained that it’s a civic responsibility and a mark of responsible citizenship to join hands with the government on this lofty joint initiative by NOA and NAFDAC, which is already backed with legislative resolution. Emphasising that the policy drive took effect from January 1st, 2026.
Adding that criminality rates in the country will be reduced if the culprits fail to use alcohol to build their dikes of courage and hold back the flood of fear .
Isiaka also highlighted other moves taken thus far by the agency to tackle youth restfulness to include ‘ Deployment of NOA ‘s Chleean and other A1 generated animated contents on youth education, expanding the agency departments and units like creation of Abuse rights and Narcotics, community awareness and compliance, Community outreach ,Youth engagement and inclusion etc as well as sustained nationwide youth targeted campaigns .
Earlier, the guest lecturer, Professor Muritala K. Kareem of the Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies, University of Ibadan, in his lecture titled “Islamic Panacea to Youth Restiveness in the 21st Century,” called on parents and guardians to complement academic knowledge with the teaching of four essential virtues.
According to him, the first is to instil in children the belief in and fear of God. Secondly, they should be taught to exhibit good deeds in all their endeavours. Thirdly, they must be encouraged to speak the truth at all times. The fourth virtue is patience, which they should demonstrate in all their dealings.
He concluded by admonishing all stakeholders to deliberately develop and protect the youth by instilling in them the fear of God. Emphasizing the importance of spirituality and accountability, he noted that “a day with God is like a thousand days on earth.”
