The National Orientation Agency (NOA) as the liaison between the government and Nigeria people has continued to wage silent successful war against numerous social vices mitigating against the glory of the giant of Africa.
NOA through various initiatives and rebranding methodology is graciously changing the naratives about the country across the world from negative to positive persuation.
This aggressive impactful drive by the agency is awakening all and sundry to both civic and patriotic responsibilities as well as appreciating the need to embrace optimism about the nation and the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present Administration. This makes the citizens involvement in the implementation of government policies and programmes at all levels easy and impactful.
NOA’s strategic approach and delibrate policy of adopting geo-political zones as operational base is a testament of the agency’s understanding and realisation that making government closer to the people and connecting directly with the grassroots is the link needed to galvanise the people’s support to both the programme and policies of any government.
In the South-western part of the country comprising Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Oyo, Ogun and Lagos states, NOA’s initiatives which includes town hall meeting with critical stakeholders like community development associations, transport unions of various zones and units, market women and men, school debate on critical government policies, partnership with security archtecture, anti corruption/ non governmental organisations (NGO) and of course engagement with traditional rulers are few of the initiatives of the agency designed to interface with the people not only to enlighten them, but equally evaluate the impact of government programmes and policies through their feedback.
The ‘Nigeria Happens to Me’ mantra is not just a slogan but a feedback of the positive impacts of government policies on the populace in different sector of the economy, thus transforming the lackluster attitude to aggressive and meaningful economic posture that are feasible in the life of the people.
Of such policy is the Bank of Industry (BOI) which has significantly impacted Nigeria’s industrial sector by providing financial and technical support to businesses, fostering industrial growth and creating jobs. BOI’s initiatives have led to the disbursement of billions of naira, the support of over four million enterprises and the creation of millions of jobs.
To sustain this laudable project, NOA as part of her mandate engaged various agencies of government through partnership including anti-corruption advocate for ‘Nigeria Happens to Me’ project’.
The agency resolveS to bring into the fold the founder and executive director of Akin Fadeyi Foundation, an anti -corruption agency and non govermental organisation to take part in its new project to show case its positive impact.
The director said, “The project is designed to shine a light on Nigerians who are succeeding in business and creative works, even with many challenges around them.
“Nigeria can happen to us in different ways even as our story in Nigeria is replete with social deficits. It can be better and the government owes citizens the imperative dividends of the social contract.”
Talking about the ‘Nigeria Happens to Me’ project, Fadeyi praised the director general of NOA, Mallam Issa Lanre Onilu, for starting the idea.
This significant and public acknowledgement of ‘Nigeria Happens to Me’ confirms that the project is already yielding the desired results as Nigerians are willingly embracing it thus changing the narrative about Nigeria and showcasing same to the outside world.
In continuation and consolidation of its campaign and partnership with relevant government agencies and security architecture/relevant stakeholders, the NOA director in Osun state Stephen Adebiyi and his team were guest of Assistant Inspector General of Police zone 11 to seek support and collaboration in the areas of providing the needed security for the public infrastructures that are providing social services to Nigerians as well as the businesses where significant investment has been made by the government in order to benefit the people; hence, ‘Nigeria Happens to Me’.
Receiving the delegation, the AIG, Fred Ekokotu charged Adebiyi and his team to continue to raise the bar on informing the general public about the policies and rules of the government.
In his remarks, the AIG tasked the agency to further embark on programmes that would educate, inform and enlighten the people, as the voice of the government.
He laid emphasis on the need to sensitise the public on obeying the rule of law through meetings with market women, students, as well as religious bodies, Christian and Muslims faithful in their various places of worship, Churches and Mosques.
Expressing concern about the growing rate of cultism among the youths, the AIG spoke on the need for school outreaches to create awareness among the students of both primary and secondary schools on the dangers of getting involved in cultism and related activities. He also enjoined the NOA officials to maintain close rappor with transport unions and sensitise drivers and other road users on the importance of obeying traffic rules and regulations.
The AIG also encouraged the NOA to tell people about the dividends of democracy and the need to maintain discipline, pay their taxes and obey rules and regulations.
AIG Ekokotu promised the full support of the Nigeria Police Force to the staff and members of the agency in providing basic security support whenever it is needed.
Earlier, the NOA’s acting state director appreciated the AIG for his open door policy, advice and cooperation.
Mr Adebiyi notified the police boss of the various programmes being embarked on by the agency to further carry out its civic duties and responsibilities, as well as pass the information to the general public.
He assured that every hand should be on deck to make sure that all citizens are well informed about the programmes of the government.
He stressed that the agency is out to do more than ever to educate the general public.
In the South-south region, NOA initiative is unique as its focuses on the engagement of the critical stakeholders and youths whose role in nation building and fostering of both national unity and development are crucial and central to the overall achievement in this all embracing goals and objectives.
The adoption of schools debate at various tertiary institutions of higher learning on national values in the region has renewed the perception of these young Nigerians and future leaders the importance of their culture, traditions and norms as a potent tools in the journey of a better nation and prosperous future in their father land. The debates hosted across various institutions in the region including University of Calabar, UNIPORT among other institutions.
The strategy according to NOA is to promote harmonious working relationship between the government and the govern to foster national development. The debates initiative is designed to also inspire Nigerians to promote national values especially the youths as agents of positive change through mutual understanding between the government making promises and the citizens believing in the government through their support.
NOA is oblivious of the importance of peaceful co-existence among the people, therefore, peace building and conflict resolution are interconnected processes aimed at preventing and resolving disputes, ultimately fostering sustainable peace. It must be borne in mind that peace building focuses on addressing the root causes of conflict and creating a conducive environment for peaceful coexistence, while conflict resolution directly tackles specific disputes.
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) in this regard leave no stone unturned in the attainment of peace among warring communities. In Ondo state, NOA has acknowledged the recent protest by farmers and residents of Ajagbusi farm settlement in the Ala Elefosan axis of Akure North local government area of the state.
The farmers’ protest followed the unfortunate killings of three of their colleagues by unknown gunmen. The demonstrators, who brought the lifeless bodies of the victims to the front of the governor’s office demanded justice for the heinous act.
The state director of NOA, Mr James Adekunle has extended deepest condolences of the agency to the families of the victims. He expressed the commitment of the government to ensuring that the killers of the three farmers are apprehended and prosecuted.
He added that the Ondo state government has assured the good people of Ajagbusi farm settlement in the Ala Elefosan axis of Akure North and the entire state that the government is committed to bringing the perpetrators of the heinous act to book.
“The police have initiated a thorough investigation into the incident and will work tirelessly to ensure that those responsible face the full weight of the law.”
The NOA director appealed to the aggrieved farmers to maintain peace and order and allow the security agencies to conduct thorough investigations and bring the perpetrators to justice.
He assured the farmers, youths and residents of Ajagbusi community and its environs that the state government will leave no stone unturned in ensuring the safety, security and well-being of all residents of the state. In essence, NOA has demonstrated that peacebuilding and conflict resolution are complementary approaches that work together to create a more just and peaceful world.