By ABEL JOHNGOLD ORHERUATA, mnipr
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has flagged off a nationwide sensitization drive to promote government programmes, national values, disaster preparedness, and security awareness across Nigeria. The initiative will engage citizens in all 36 states and the FCT through town halls, media outreach, and community engagements.
The Agency launched the nationwide enlightenment campaign aimed at deepening citizens’ understanding of government programmes, strengthening national values, and fostering security consciousness across the country.
The Director-General of NOA, Mallam Issa Lanre-Onilu, represented by Mrs. Nasamu Rebecca, Director of General Services at NOA headquarters, unveiled the initiative during a press conference. The campaign will cover all 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory, and 774 local government areas.
According to the DG, the sensitization exercise will focus on five thematic areas:
1. Government policies, programmes, and activities.
2. National values re-orientation for students in secondary and tertiary institutions.
3. Flood mitigation and disaster preparedness.
4. National security awareness for safer communities.
5. The Nigerian identity and national symbols.
Mallam Issa-Onilu highlighted key government programmes such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which has disbursed over ₦59 billion to more than 600,000 students, the expansion of social safety nets through Conditional Cash Transfers, Trader Moni, and Farmer Moni schemes, as well as the renovation of 700 rural schools under the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund. He also noted the rollout of the National Youth Investment Fund (NYIF) and the Industrial Training Fund’s SUPA project to upskill artisans nationwide.
On flood management, he urged Nigerians to take early warnings from NiMet seriously while recalling that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved ₦3 billion per state in 2024 for flood control and relocation efforts.
Speaking on security, he emphasized that under the Renewed Hope Security Architecture, the Armed Forces have deployed drones, armoured vehicles, surveillance technologies, and over 15,000 new personnel nationwide. The NOA plans to reach at least 3 million Nigerians per state through town halls, markets, motor park rallies, advocacy visits, and community engagements.
Mrs. Tracy Omamode Ikolomi, NOA State Director in Delta, assured that the Agency would continue to bridge the gap between government and citizens by relaying feedback from communities directly to Abuja. “It is our duty to talk about government policies and programmes and also bring the people’s voices back to the government,” she stressed.
Also speaking, Comrade Patrick Ochei of the Fostering Hopes Foundation commended NOA for sustaining national value reorientation despite challenging times. He urged Nigerians to embrace personal accountability in nation-building. “Nigeria belongs to all of us. Don’t just ask what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country,” he said.
The press conference, which attracted both local and national media, marks the beginning of a robust grassroots engagement expected to reinforce unity, patriotism, and civic responsibility across Nigeria.
