A clarion call has been extended to the Oyo State Directorate of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to lend its support towards the successful implementation of a forthcoming one-week programme aimed at fostering civic re-engineering and responsible citizenship.
The passionate appeal was contained in the opening address delivered by the Team Leader of the Dimensional Ambassadors for Leadership and Community Support Network, Ambassador Akintayo Oluwatobi, during a courtesy visit to the Oyo State headquarters of the National Orientation Agency in Ibadan on Monday afternoon.
While delivering his speech, Ambassador Akintayo appreciated the Oyo State NOA for effectively discharging its statutory mandate, which includes value orientation, civic engagement, information dissemination, citizenship mobilization, political and civic education, among others.
According to him, the Agency’s activities have continued to impact positively on the development of well-oriented and responsible citizens across the country.
He particularly commended the Agency for its proactive efforts in encouraging citizens’ contributions to nation-building by consistently supporting programmes capable of advancing national development.
He recalled the NOA’s presence and laudable contributions during the group’s programme last year, noting that the impressive collaboration motivated the organization to revisit the Agency for further support towards making this year’s edition a huge success.
According to the group, this year’s programme, which will commence with a press conference on June 1, will feature civic engagement sessions, youth civic dialogue, a virtual leadership conference, street walks against drug and narcotics abuse, youth sensitization on electoral participation, and a grand finale scheduled to hold at the Oyo State House of Chiefs.
Highlighting the importance of mutual cooperation and voluntary service as veritable tools for successful planning, Ambassador Oluwatobi stressed that such support systems have greatly helped in reducing the enormous financial burden associated with organizing the programme over the years.
He therefore appealed to the relevant departments of the Agency to actively participate in the programme, while specifically requesting the State Director of NOA, Mrs. Ajolayo Sinmiat Akande, to deliver a keynote address at the grand finale as a way of further boosting the image and impact of the event.
Responding, Mrs. Ajolayo Akande extolled the group’s dexterity, commitment, and passion in driving programmes targeted at youth development and civic responsibility. She urged members of the organization not to relent in their efforts as worthy ambassadors of the younger generation.
She also appreciated the group for consistently finding it worthwhile to partner with the National Orientation Agency and assured them of the Agency’s readiness to collaborate for the success of the programme.
She further promised that all the requested departmental heads would be made available to participate fully in the activities.
Mrs. Ajolayo Sinmiat Akande later presented some useful ICT and educational materials to the group on behalf of the Agency. The materials included the NOA Weekly Publication, The Explainer, as well as guides on the proper rendition of the National Anthem and National Pledge, including the appropriate occasions for the use of each stanza.
Packaged by Mayowa Owogbade
