By Pepple Iheanacho
The National Orientation Agency, NOA , has renewed its commitment to effective driving of government policies and programmes aimed at curbing diverse vices plaguing the society.
The Director-General, Mallam Lanre Issa- Onilu advanced this at a Press Conference to commence a nationwide sensitization campaign in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
The campaign is anchored on the theme: ” Promoting Awareness, Ethical Values and Natuina
The NOA boss represented by the Director, Community Outreach and Development, at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja, Mrs Olubukola Olorunfemi, said the campaign focuses on World HIV Day, Security Awareness, Discouraging Get-Rich-Quick-Syndrome, World Human Rights and Tax Reform Bills, which she explained to be crucial to Nigeria’s well-being, unity and development.
Mrs Olorunfemi remarked that the campaign which complements efforts of relevant health authorities concides with the World HIV/AIDS Day. Adding that NOA is joining the 36 states of the federation, FCT and the 774 local government areas to raise the awareness. She pointed out that the government alone cannot tackle the scourge. According to her,” citizens must take advantage of the services provided by government and other bodies, practice responsible health behaviour and support those living with HIV/AIDS”.
On tax reform bills, she advised Nigerians not to panic yet as they are still bills at the National Assembly. She promised that when they become law, they will favour every segment of the society. The tax reform bills are the Nigeria Tax bill, the Nigeria Tax Administration bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service bill and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment bill. She stressed that taxation is important for funding national development projects.
On security awareness, she canvassed the strengthening of the nation’s security architecture through better equipment, training and increased funding for all security outfits. Deployment of technology such as surveillance systems and intelligence gathering. Expanding policing initiatives to enhance collaboration between citizens and law enforcement officers. Mrs Olorunfemi observed that accomplishing this requires the support of every citizen.
The agency chief decried the growing menace of get-rich-quick-syndrome in the society. To address the cankerworm, citizens must shun shortcuts to wealth and embrace integrity,hard work and opportunities provided by government initiatives to make life better for them.
To her, as the global community celebrates the World Human Rights Day, the Nigerian government remains committed to protecting the dignity of its citizens. Hence,the strengthening of legal frameworks to address human rights violations, including gender-based violence and child trafficking.
The agency described the media as critical stakeholders in pushing down government policies and programmes to the people. The media were urged to effectively get the messages not only to those in the urban areas but to the grassroots.
Other stakeholders the agency embraced to transmit the policies and programmes to the people include traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organizations, educational institutions among others.
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