BY CHIKA KWAMBA
THE National Orientation Agency (NOA), Delta State Directorate, yesterday, revealed its readiness to reach not less than three milion Nigerians across the 36 states ahead of the nationwide sensitization campaign.
The high-profile campaign is targeted at five thematic areas which include: Government policies, programmes and activities, national values re-orientation for students of secondary schools, and tertiary institutions against sign-out extreme practices, flood mitigation, Nigeria identity projects and national symbols, and national security awareness towards achieving improved security consciousness in our communities
This was disclosed at the flag-off ceremony of the nationwide enlightenment campaign held at the Federal Secretariat Complex, Asaba, the capital of Delta State.
Addressing newsmen at the Press conference, the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, who was represented by the Director-General of the Service, National Headquarters, Abuja. Mrs Rebecca Nassamu.
The DG highlighted that the third quarter nationwide sensitization exercise was geared towards engaging the public to further understand the policies of the government.
According to him, “As you already know, the National Orientation Agency has many mandates, key amongst these mandates, is the responsibility to sensitise the public on government policies, programmes and activities. In recent times, the Agency has expanded its messaging platforms to meet the diverse messaging platform requirements of our equally diverse audience demography.
“In the next couple of weeks, the Agency will be physically engaging the public in the 36 States, the Federal Capital Territory, and the 774 Local Government Areas. This boots-on-the-ground approach in various communities is aimed at enabling members of the public to speak their minds to the government, ask questions, and get answers on programmes and policies of the government that they require further clarity on.
“We intend to carry out the security awareness campaign in the States. We will reach no less than three million Nigerians per State through media engagement, markets, and motor park rallies, town hall meetings, advocacy visits to traditional and religious leaders, road shows, and community engagements,” he averred.
In her remarks, the State Director of NOA, Delta State, Mrs Tracy Ikolomi, underscored the significant role of the media in the circulation of vital information in society.
She said: “NOA will continue to talk, it is our duty to talk to people about government policies, progress, and activities, as well as take feedback to the appropriate authorities. Your feedback forms part of our response to the DG and the federal government.
Similarly, the Director, Community Engagement and Development of Fostering Hopes Foundation, Comrade Patrick Ochei, commended the DG NOA for their selfless sacrifices to national advancement and promotion of cultural values.
He further tasked Nigerians to be patriotic, responsible, and take ownership as Nigeria is for all. Also, he applauded the Delta NOA for the unflinching commitment to creating awareness of the agency’s activities and programs across the board.
