NOA Seeks Nigerians to Buy into Government Policies
Advocates Social Justice
By Tracy Ohovwore
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has commenced a sensitization campaign to educate Nigerians on government policies, programmes, and activities, especially those that have generated heated arguments recently.
At a town hall meeting to mark the launch of nationwide sensitization campaigns, the agency noted that it seeks to foster a more informed, secure, and ethical society.
The Director General, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, who was represented by the Director of General Services, NOA Headquarters, Rebecca Nasamu, listed the issues to include World HIV/AIDS Day, Security Awareness, Shunning the Get Rich Quick Syndrome, World Human Rights Day, and Tax Reforms.
To address these rising challenges, the sensitization campaign was themed “Promoting Awareness, Ethical Issues, and National Development.” Disclosed the government’s intention to intensify efforts to provide free and accessible HIV testing and nationwide counseling services.
The agency urged members of the public to take advantage of the services offered while raising awareness against HIV/AIDS.
It also proposed that security personnel undergo intensive training while urging the government to deploy impressive technological devices to aid operations and set initiatives to improve collaboration between citizens and law enforcement, given the level of insurgence and insecurity in the country.
“We are all aware of our youths’ get-rich-quick syndrome, or yahoo-yahoo. ‘ Some of them don’t even want to go to school, nor do they want to learn skills. We are calling our youths to believe that there is integrity in getting rich. We urge them to be calm and take it a step at a time while avoiding illegal and fraudulent activities.”
“Security agencies like EFCC and ICPC are working hard to curb the rising criminal and fraudulent practices in the country.” She stated that youth empowerment programmes such as the National Social Investment Program (NSIP) and skill acquisition initiatives have also been implemented, which will positively change the narrative.
Issues on tax reform in the country were brought to the fore, and the need to ensure that the state is made less burdensome for citizens to avoid multiple taxes and create more support for low-income earners as well as more straightforward and transparent processes and a visible impact of the taxes.
Also, the state Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Osahon B. Woghiren Esq, stated that NOA would not relent in its need to sensitize the country nationwide on pressing issues. He urged the media and stakeholders to join the agency in its campaign towards peace and stability and in its relentless effort in nationwide sensitization campaigns.
He emphasized that while the government is doing its part, no government can succeed alone, and therefore called on the buy-in of all Nigerians.
