By Abdulaziz Ibrahim Hassan,
The National Orientation Agency has rolled out a fresh nationwide campaign across the thirty-six states, the FCT and 774 local government areas.
The campaign focuses on five critical areas which includes government policies and programmes, national values re-orientation for students, flood mitigation, the Nigerian identity project, and national security awareness.
Addressing journalists in Gombe, the Director General of the Agency, Mallam Lanre Issa-onilu, represented by the Director of Special Duties and Zonal Coordination, Dr. David Akoji, said the exercise is aimed at deepening citizens’ understanding of government policies and creating platforms for direct interaction between government and the people.
He explained that the agency has deployed new platforms from social media to AI-powered tools to reach the younger generation with information on policies and programmes.
Among the highlighted interventions are the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, conditional cash transfers to two million households, the renovation of 700 rural schools, the National Youth Investment Fund, and new support for artisans through the ITF’s SUPA project.
On flood mitigation, Issa-onilu urged citizens to adhere strictly to NiMet’s early warnings, noting that three billion naira has already been released to states for drainage clearance and relocation efforts.
Speaking on national security awareness, he noted that under the Renewed Hope Security Architecture, specialised military units, drones, armoured vehicles and over 15,000 security personnel have been deployed nationwide.
He further said the campaign will also focus on national values re-orientation, particularly addressing extreme “sign out” graduation practices in schools and will further emphasise the proper respect for national symbols such as the flag, the naira, the passport, and the national anthem.
The Director General, however, expressed dissatisfaction that Gombe State is lagging behind in accessing federal opportunities for youth, calling on the state government to work closely with NOA to change the narrative.
Earlier, the Gombe State Director of NOA, Mrs. Adaline Waye Patari, commended journalists in the state for their consistent support to the Agency’s efforts in sensitising the public on government programmes and policies.
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