National Orientation Agency (NOA) has kicked off a sensitization campaign to promote national rebirth, an orderly society and a prosperous nation.
The campaign which focuses on five key areas, includes: value reorientation against sign-out extreme practices, flood mitigation, national security awareness campaign, national enlightenment on government policies, programmes and activities as well as Nigerian identity project and national symbols campaign was launched in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State
The Director General of NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, who launched the campaign in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State, explained that the campaign was intended to address various issues including the unsafe practices by students during signing-out celebrations .
He said the practice has become increasingly prevalent and is considered against the culture of decency, projecting a bad image of the country abroad, and having negative implications on family economies.
Represented by the National Director Community Safety, Awareness and Compliance, Mrs Tessy Nnalue, he expressed the agency’s determination “to instill discipline, integrity and respect for life while encouraging our students to celebrate responsibly and safely.”
He urged the public to heed advisories from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) to prevent devastating floods adding that preventive measures must be adopted in addition to adhering to early warning systems
“Poor drainage system and careless dumping of wast in drainage system have often resulted in floods in various States of the federation. We have seen devastating results recently in Nigeria, Kogi, Rivers, Anambra, Bayelsa etc.
“Many states have suffered severe effects of flood over the years. NiMet issues regular early warning advisories with 90 percent accuracy. We urge members of the public to look out for these advisories from NiMet and to please adhere to their advisories.”
Issa-Onilu highlighted the government’s renewed hope agenda for security architecture, including the formation of specialized units, deployment of drones and armored vehicles, and engagement with traditional and religious leaders.
He emphasised the importance of respecting national symbols, such as the national flag, the country’s currency , Nigerian international passport, national anthem, and coat of arms, which embody the nation’s spirit, history, and values.
The Director General also highlighted several government initiatives, including, Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) where 600,000 students have benefited from the scheme, with over ₦59bn disbursed so far.
“Security is the bedrock of development and it is a collective responsibility. Government alone cannot do it. Every citizen has a role to play by being vigilant, rejecting divisive ideologies and promoting peace and harmony” he said
The launch of the campaign was attended by stakeholders across various sectors including religious leaders, women, youths, among others
