NOA FLAGS OFF NATIONWIDE CAMPAIGN ON FIVE THEMATIC AREAS IN AKWA IBOM.
By Glory Uya
National Orientation Agency, Akwa Ibom Directorate has begun a nationwide sensitization campaign with an enlarged stakeholder’s engagement meeting at the NOA Office in Uyo.
The campaign which focuses on five key areas of: Value Reorientation against Extreme Sign-out Practices, Flood Mitigation, Security Awareness, promotion of Government Policies, Programmes and Activities as well as National Identity Project and Restoration of National Symbols, is aimed at promoting national rebirth to build an orderly and prosperous nation.
The Director General of the Agency Mallam Lanre Issa Onilu who was represented by National Director Community Safety, Awareness and Compliance, Mrs Tessy Nnalue, stated that under the renewed hope agenda of the present administration, several critical sectors were now receiving the long overdue attention aimed at transforming the nation’s economy, security and social landscape.
According to her, various projects are underway with a view to improving Security Architecture, standard of Education, Agricultural revolution, transportation networks, electricity supply, and public amenities while also initiating programs to create technological hubs to promote digital literacy among young Nigerians.
Mrs. Nnalue noted that the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and National Youth Investment Fund (NYIF) schemes already has about 600,000 students on-board with over 59 billion Naira disbursed, while over 150,000 youths across the country have been supported with over 110 billion Naira.
On flood mitigation, She urged members of the public to look out for advisories from NiMet while avoiding careless dumping of waste in the drainage system.
On the renewed hope on security Architecture, she highlighted the formation of specialized units of the Armed Forces aimed at enabling rapid response, the deployment of drones, armoured vehicles, surveillance technologies and the deployment of 15,000 security personnel nationwide, holding town hall meetings, advocacy visits to traditional and religious leaders and community engagements.
The South South Zonal Director of NOA, Mr. Ibor Otu in his remarks noted that National symbols such as the flag, the Naira, the international passport, the national Anthem and coat of arms were the embodiment of a nation’s spirit, history, and values which fosters unity, pride, and a deeper appreciation of a nation’s heritage.
He added that these symbols encapsulate the essence of a nation, evoking pride, unity and a sense of belonging and appealed to Nigerians to always treat the symbols with dignity and respect.
The Akwa Ibom State Director of NOA, Mr. Mkpoutom Mkpoutom in his remarks stated that current trend of students signing- out graduation practice was becoming increasingly violent and indecent, hence the need for value reorientation
The campaign will be taken to all 36 states, the FCT, and all 774 local government areas with the sole aim of engaging Nigerians directly and encouraging dialogue between the government and the people.
The occasion was well attended by the Heads of Media houses, traditional institutions, Faith Based Organizations, Youth groups, Civil Society Organizations, top Government officials, Heads of Educational institutions and members of the public.
